Local Federal MP Bruce Billson is encouraging local aged care providers to apply for the next round of funding under the Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR) to deliver improved services in Dunkley.

Applications open in May and this round marks an important step forward in the Government’s reform agenda of the aged care sector.

The Government recognises that many older Australians wish to remain in their own home for as long as possible.

Accordingly, this round will continue to expand the Home Care Packages program, which provides individually tailored packages of home care services to keep older Australians living independently in their own home.

The Minister responsible for Ageing, Senator Mitch Fifield, said residential aged care places will also be made available in the next ACAR round. To encourage greater investment in areas of need, the Government will make funding available for capital grants under the Rural, Regional and Other Special Needs Building Fund.

The ACAR is the major funding round in the aged care industry and provides new Australian Government-funded aged care places to service providers through a competitive assessment process.

Between now and the opening of the round in May, I encourage aged care providers in Dunkley to consider the aged care needs in their area, in anticipation of their application.

Further iformation on the number of places available and capital funding will be announced in major newspapers and on the Department of Social Services’ website www.dss.gov.au in May 2014.