Meals providers welcome funding boost

All Commonwealth Home Support Program meals providers will receive a 10 per cent top up from January to help alleviate cost pressures and reduce impact on service delivery, the government has announced.

This will increase funding to CHSP meals providers by $37 million over the next three years.

Announcing the measure on Tuesday, Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells said the investment would help meals providers deliver an essential service to older Australians to help them stay healthy and connected to their community.  

“Meals on Wheels and other CHSP meals providers are a vital and well-loved part of our aged care system.

“Often, they are also valued providers of social support, helping older people to stay connected to their local community and live at home for longer,” Ms Wells said.

The funding boost has been welcomed by Meals on Wheels Australia, which represents more than 590 grassroots services across the country. The peak’s chair, Paul Sadler, said the financial injection would be reassuring for meals providers.

“We appreciate the Government’s recognition of the vital role Meals on Wheels and other [CHSP] providers play in supporting older Australians to live independently, stay healthy, and remain connected to their communities. This funding boost is a step in the right direction to support these essential services,” Mr Sadler said.

However, more is needed to address deeper funding challenges and this will be the subject of continued advocacy, said Mr Sadler.

“We look forward to continued discussions with the Government about addressing long-standing funding challenges, including the need for further increases to overcome the shortfalls caused by inadequate indexation in past years.

“But there is no question that this will take pressure off Meals on Wheels services in the short term. This commitment to the future of Meals on Wheels will help sustain this iconic community service for generations to come.”

Aged care provider peak body Aged & Community Care Providers Association chief executive officer Tom Symondson also welcomed the funding boost but said further action was needed to ensure the sustainability of CHSP services.

“This 10 per cent cost-of-living adjustment is a welcome step forward. It also highlights the task we have ahead of us to address the rising costs faced by providers and to ensure the sustainability of CHSP services,” Mr Symondson added.

“The new Aged Care Act will have significant implications for CHSP providers. We need to make sure CHSP providers aren’t left behind and we continue to urge the Department to work closely with the sector on program design and changes.”

CHSP supports over 835,000 older people to access entry-level aged care services, including meal delivery, to help them stay healthy and connected.

The investment brings the government’s annual investment in CHSP meals services to $131.64 million.

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