A $1.95m deposit and $10k a month: welcome to the for-profit world of Australian aged care where no one is a winner | Julianne Schultz
Like all the privatised care services, the business of aged care is about property, cheap labour and public money Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast You know you have entered the parallel universe of residential aged care when you find yourself saying, “Just to clarify, the deposit for the room is $1.95m, and the charges will be about $10,000 a month?” “That’s correct,”…
The for-profit aged care industry in Australia operates on a model that includes properties, low-cost labor, and public funds. A recent headline example highlights the exorbitant costs involved in securing a room for a loved one, with a deposit of $1.95 million and monthly charges of $10,000. This cost is even higher than the median price of a one-bedroom apartment in the same suburb.
Despite the upscale appearance, facilities often lack essential amenities and staff, forcing families to resort to desperate measures to secure adequate care for their loved ones. The system's complexity and rationing leave many vulnerable individuals without proper support, leading to deterioration and increased hospital stays.
With the Commonwealth Home Support Program set to continue until 2029, the need for a revamped system that prioritizes human care over bureaucratic processes becomes evident.
Written by urgent.news from The Guardian Australia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
