The Australian government is investing A$312.6 million (around $200 million) over four years to improve the ICT systems in the aged care sector.

It is part of the A$3.9 billion ($2.5 billion) 2022-2023 October budget for implementing aged care reforms to "improve safety, dignity, quality and humanity." 

WHY IT MATTERS

According to Health Minister Mark Butler, the ICT modernisation budget will help reduce the administrative burden for over 2,000 providers and sustain the existing operations of the My Aged Care system, which helps connect senior folks to government-funded aged care services.

THE LARGER CONTEXT

An industry survey conducted in June by the Aged Care Technology Consortium revealed a lack of digital system implementations across the aged care sector.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety also noted in its 2021 report that the aged care sector is "deeply analogue" and "well behind" other sectors in the use and application of technology. Of the 148 recommendations forwarded to the federal government, 126 were accepted, including 30 that are ICT-related. The October budget is delivering on some of these accepted recommendations.

In addition to the ICT budget, the government is also providing A$2.5 billion ($1.6 billion) to require each aged care service to have a round-the-clock registered nurse on-site, as well as raise the time spent with each resident.