❓ Mr. Eatts raises concerns about funding cuts to aged care assessment, palliative care, and disability support for older Australians in WA. The government's response clarifies funding arrangements and service continuity, citing Commonwealth agreements and ongoing state support.
AnsweredQoN 445Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) The allocation for Aged Care Assessment has dropped from $10.2 million in 2023–24 to zero in 2024–25 and across all forward estimates. Why is this the case: (a) Does this reflect a transfer of responsibility to the Commonwealth, or is the service being reduced or discontinued entirely; and (b) What arrangements are in place to ensure continuity of aged care assessments, particularly in regional and remote areas where access is already limited? (2) The 2025–26 Budget shows that funding for 'Comprehensive Palliative Care in Aged Care' has been discontinued entirely. Please explain why this program has been cut: (a) What services, if any, are replacing it, referencing where it now sits in the budget; and (b) How will the Government ensure aged care residents, particularly in regional WA, continue to receive timely and high-quality palliative care : (i) reference where this now sits in the budget? (3) The Government has ceased all funding for 'Disability Support for Older Australians' after 2026–27. Why is this the case: (a) How will older Western Australians with disability, particularly those who are not eligible for the NDIS, continue to access the services they need; and (b) What arrangements, if any, have been made to prevent service disruption for existing clients, especially in regional areas?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 September 2025
Responded by
Minister for Aged Care and Seniors
Response time
10 days
(1a) The Western Australian and Commonwealth Governments recently agreed a 12-month contract for continued aged care assessments while the details of a longer-term agreement are finalised. Funding associated with the 12-month contract will be reflected in the FY2025/26 Mid-Year Review.
(1b) Aged care assessments will continue, including in regional and remote areas.
(2a) The Commonwealth committed to a 2-year extension to the National Partnership Agreement (NPA) Comprehensive Palliative Care in Aged Care (CPCiAC) in Western Australia (WA) for 2024 to 2026.
This allows two projects to continue under the CPCiAC in WA to 30 June 2026. The projects are Bethesda Health Care’s Metropolitan Palliative Care Consultancy Service Expansion and the Primary Health Alliance Case Conferencing Coordinators pilot.
(2b) The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) continues to deliver specialist palliative care across rural and remote Western Australia, including in-reach services to private residential aged care homes and WACHS Multi-Purpose Sites. The Palliative Care Afterhours Telehealth Service further enhances access to timely and high-quality palliative care.
(2bi) While WA will continue funding the two projects until 30 June 2026, there are no commitments from the Commonwealth for the NPA CPCiAC beyond 30 June 2026.
(3a) The Disability Support for Older Australians (DSOA) funding is reflected in the State Budget for FY2024-25 and FY2025-26.
(3b) Further information about the DSOA Program is available on the Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s website.
(1b) Aged care assessments will continue, including in regional and remote areas.
(2a) The Commonwealth committed to a 2-year extension to the National Partnership Agreement (NPA) Comprehensive Palliative Care in Aged Care (CPCiAC) in Western Australia (WA) for 2024 to 2026.
This allows two projects to continue under the CPCiAC in WA to 30 June 2026. The projects are Bethesda Health Care’s Metropolitan Palliative Care Consultancy Service Expansion and the Primary Health Alliance Case Conferencing Coordinators pilot.
(2b) The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) continues to deliver specialist palliative care across rural and remote Western Australia, including in-reach services to private residential aged care homes and WACHS Multi-Purpose Sites. The Palliative Care Afterhours Telehealth Service further enhances access to timely and high-quality palliative care.
(2bi) While WA will continue funding the two projects until 30 June 2026, there are no commitments from the Commonwealth for the NPA CPCiAC beyond 30 June 2026.
(3a) The Disability Support for Older Australians (DSOA) funding is reflected in the State Budget for FY2024-25 and FY2025-26.
(3b) Further information about the DSOA Program is available on the Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s website.
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