Aged care loses dedicated minister in cabinet

Following ministerial changes this week by the re-elected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Department of Health and Aged Care has been renamed as the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

Mark Butler remains the senior minister for health and aged care and his responsibilities have expanded to include disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Following this week’s ministerial announcements, Mr Butler said his priorities included ensuring Australia’s systems of care – including the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, aged care and the NDIS – were world leading.

“Australians want to know that they will get the care and support they need, when and where they need it,” he said. “Our task is crystal clear: to strengthen Medicare, protect the PBS, deliver generational reform to aged care, and secure the future of the NDIS.”

Sam Rae has been appointed Minister for Aged Care and Seniors – an out-of-ministry position – and Rebecca White has been appointed Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care.

The Aged Care Act 1997, Aged Care Act 2024 and accompanying legislation remain the responsibility of Mr Butler and junior ministers on the Administrative Arrangements Order. But, as it was prior to Anika Wells’ promotion to cabinet in January 2025, there is no dedicated minister for the aged care sector at the Prime Minister’s table, returning that responsibility to Mr Butler to deal with among his many others.

For Paul Sadler Consultancy principal Paul Sadler said the loss of a dedicated aged care minister in cabinet signals a worrying “back to business as usual” approach to the sector by the government.

“It’s almost a subliminal message that the government thinks it’s landed aged care reform after getting the Aged Care Act through parliament and as we know that’s far from the case. There’s a lot still in play,” Mr Sadler told Community Care Review.

It is somewhat reassuing that Mr Butler is still in place as the senior minister as he understands the detail about the upcoming reforms and can act as a guide for Mr Rae in his new portfolio, Mr Sadler said.

But the reforms are coming in fast and the team at home care consultancy Invox – which Mr Sadler is also part of – is among the several aged care sector stakeholders who have called for a staggered start to Support at Home.

Following the ministerial changes this week Invox published an open letter briefing for the incoming minister, Sam Rae, warning that if the implementation goes ahead on 1 July, “it will create a crisis for older people, providers and for you as the incoming responsible Minister.”

The open letter also includes Invox’s recommended urgent actions.

“I mean hopefully we’re wrong and the government does continue to pursue aged care as a serious reform issue. That would certainly be the viewpoint of those of us in the sector who are wanting to see the aged care reforms actually land and significantly improve the situation for older Australians,” Mr Sadler told CCR.

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