Tas releases 13 government-owned sites for aged care development

The Tasmanian government will make 13 government-owned greenfield sites available for new aged care and assisted living facilities, as it seeks to expand care options for older people and ease growing pressure on the health system.

The initiative is expected to deliver at least one new aged care or assisted living development in each region of Tasmania.

State Health Minister Bridget Archer said the project’s benefits will extend beyond the aged care sector.

“This initiative will help meet that demand by creating more opportunities for older Tasmanians to access appropriate care and support closer to home,” Ms Archer said.

“Increasing the availability of aged care beds and assisted living places in areas of community demand will help improve the flow of patients through the health system by providing more suitable care options for people who no longer require hospital care.

“This will reduce pressure on hospital beds, emergency departments and inpatient wards, ensuring more timely access to care for Tasmanians who need hospital services.”

The Department of Health has worked with other government agencies to identify the 13 sites, which will be offered to experienced providers through a two-stage expression of interest (EOI) process. Providers will initially submit a proposal outlining their capability and development vision, with those shortlisted then invited to prepare detailed business cases.

Successful providers will be responsible for funding, developing and operating the facilities.

Earlier this month, the Tasmanian government estimated around 100 patients a day were occupying hospital beds while waiting for aged care placements, contributing to hospital bed block and increasing pressure on emergency departments and inpatient wards.

The state has also estimated the cost of caring for patients awaiting aged care or NDIS support will reach $108 million in 2026-27, or approximately $432 million across the forward estimates.

“These are Tasmanians stuck in hospital beds who should be receiving care in appropriate aged care, but through no fault of their own are stranded in hospital beds because the federal government has not given them a place to go,” Minister Archer said.

“These Tasmanians are not statistics. They are Tasmanians who deserve dignity, compassion and a proper place to recover, and this growing national crisis demands an immediate response from the federal government.”

The EOI process opens on 26 September and closes on 6 November. For more information visit the Tasmanian Government Tenders website.