Credit: JerryB7
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has been appointed to lead a taskforce to reduce bureaucratic red tape for Australian seniors hoping to access aged care services.
Ministers for Human Services, Michael Keenan and Aged Care, Ken Wyatt said the taskforce was made up of industry and community representatives and had a 28-page means-test application form in its sights.
The Ministers said many of the changes were long overdue and were needed to help reduce stress on older people at what could be a difficult time in their lives.
“Hundreds of thousands of older Australians will benefit,” the Ministers said.
Mr Keenan said the taskforce would work on producing one new shorter form, likely to be just a few pages long, for those whose financial affairs were relatively simple.
He said this would be about 70,000 people a year.
“A second simplified form will also be introduced for about 100,000 others with more complex financial affairs,” Mr Keenan said.
He said the new forms should be in use by May next year and free financial counselling would also be made available from DHS to assist people during the transition.
Mr Wyatt said work was also commencing on a revamp of the My Aged Care online portal to make access easier.
“My Aged Care is a vital tool for older Australians and their families and carers, with more than 3.5 million website visits per year and over one million phone calls,” Mr Wyatt said.
“We have heard the concerns of users and are determined to make it as easy to understand as possible.”
