The 2024 Australian Federal Budget, announced on 14th May, unveiled a comprehensive plan to bolster healthcare services for older people, focusing on initiatives to support aging Australians in maintaining their independence and well-being. Here are the key highlights:

• Expanded home care places: An allocation of $2.2 billion is earmarked to introduce 24,000 new home care places, enabling older individuals to receive necessary support while residing in the comfort of their own homes.

• Investment in Urgent Care Clinics: To address urgent medical needs and alleviate pressure on hospital emergency departments, the government will establish 29 new Medicare urgent care clinics. These clinics serve as vital resources for older Australians requiring immediate medical attention, ensuring timely access to essential healthcare services.

• Prescription medicine support: To mitigate financial burdens, increases to prescription medicine prices will be frozen. Additionally, $882 million will be allocated to states for programs supporting older patients requiring long-term hospital stays, enhancing accessibility and affordability of essential medications for elderly individuals.

• Mental health services: Recognising the significance of mental health support for seniors, the budget introduces a new national online mental health service. Scheduled to launch in 2026, this initiative offers up to 10 free sessions annually for low-intensity mental health issues, alongside a $3 billion medicines package aimed at freezing prescription prices.

• Expansion of Aged Care Packages: A substantial investment of $531.4 million is dedicated to providing 24,100 home care packages in 2024-25. This expansion aims to cater to the growing needs of aging Australians, facilitate access to vital care services, and enable older individuals to age in place with dignity.

• Hospital pressure relief: To alleviate strains on hospital resources, states and territories will receive $610 million to address the prolonged stay of older patients in hospital wards. This funding will support community outreach and virtual care initiatives, ensuring efficient healthcare delivery for elderly populations.

• Support for dementia and palliative care: Specific provisions include $57 million for dementia patients transitioning from hospitals to aged care and an additional $25 million for specialist palliative care.

• Workforce development: An allocation of $88.4 million will bolster efforts to attract and retain aged care workers. This funding aims to strengthen the aged care workforce and ensure the delivery of high-quality care services to older Australians across the nation.