A major new industry report has laid bare the devastating impact of the Albanese Government's aged care failures, revealing residential aged care supply increased by just 578 beds in 2024-25 – less than one-tenth of the 10,600 additional places needed per year to meet demand, as projected by the Department.
The Boxwell & Co analysis confirms Australia's aged care supply crisis has reached a critical tipping point with occupancy levels hitting 94.4% and full capacity projected within three years. The report projects a potential annual shortfall of 18,000 aged care beds by 2030 unless urgent action is taken.
Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care Senator Anne Ruston said the findings confirm urgent action was needed to protect older Australians who were being failed by Labor's incompetence.
“Labor delivered only around 5% of the required new aged care beds last financial year and has left 238,000 older Australians waiting for home care support – that’s a national disgrace,” Senator Ruston said.
“The result is devastating with older Australians languishing in hospital beds with nowhere to go, surgical waitlists blowing out and ambulances ramped for hours.
“Anthony Albanese promised to put the care back into aged care. Instead, he's created a national crisis that is crippling our hospital systems, failing some of the most vulnerable in our community, and forcing the states and territories to deal with a mess of Canberra's own making."
Key findings from the Boxwell & Co analysis:
· There was a net increase of only 578 operational residential aged care places in FY25 – the lowest in eight years. This includes:
o In VIC, a net increase of 870 operational aged care places.
o In SA, a net increase of only 58 operational aged care places.
o In QLD, a net increase of only 26 operational aged care places.
o In NSW, a net decrease of 203 operational aged care places.
o In WA, a net decrease of 119 operational aged care places.
o In TAS, a net decrease of 54 operational aged care places.
· Industry surveys show occupancy at 94.4%, with occupancy projected to hit 100% capacity during FY28 at current rates.
· In some areas, there is already no immediate access to residential aged care.
Read the full report at: www.colliers.com.au/en-au/research/residential-aged-care-places-fy18-fy25-trend.
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