An increase in the Medicare levy has been suggested as a way to pay for needed improvements to aged care, estimated in a report to be up to $20 billion over four years. | AnnaPattySMH
Peak groups representing older Australians and aged care workers have calculated that billions of dollars in extra funding is needed to address years of neglect in the beleaguered aged care sector.
Staffing numbers and skills training also needed to improve. "We are going to have to spend billions of dollars more on staffing," Mr Yates said.The COVID-19 crisis has exposed deficiencies in aged care, including in Melbourne which has 1277 active cases and more than 350 deaths.
Aged care workers earn about $23 per hour which is less than what retail assistants earn at more than $25. "An increase in the Medicare levy is the best way to achieve it. However, taxpayers will not support paying an extra Medicare levy unless the extra money is quarantined and can only be spent on care," she said.program on Sunday the sector needed more staff who were better trained.
The worker, who has a certificate III qualification in aged care, said she was often having to do the work of two people while keeping an eye on unskilled and inexperienced staff.
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