❓ WA Parliamentary Question on Notice regarding aged care services, particularly in northern Perth and the Warren-Blackwood region, focusing on bed availability, occupancy rates, and support for regional residents needing metropolitan care. The response largely deflects responsibility to the Commonwealth Government.
AnsweredQoN 84Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Can the Minister provide the current number of operational residential aged care beds in the northern suburbs of Perth (Joondalup to Stirling), and the average occupancy rate over the last 12 months: (a) How many of those beds are available for permanent residential aged care; (b) How many of those beds are available for respite care; and (c) How many of those beds are available for transition care? (2) Has there been a policy or operational directive that encourages or allows respite beds to be reclassified as transition care beds: (a) If so, when was this implemented and what was the rationale? (3) How many aged care residents from regional areas, including Warren–Blackwood, have been transferred to metropolitan facilities in the past 12 months due to lack of local availability? (4) Is the Government tracking the number of regional elderly patients or families being forced to seek aged care outside their communities: (a) If not, why not? (5) What support mechanisms are in place for regional families when their elderly relatives must be relocated to metropolitan areas due to local service shortages? (6) What is the current residential aged care bed capacity and wait time for these beds in the Warren–Blackwood electorate, broken down by : (a) permanent care; (b) respite care; and (c) transition care? (7) Are there any planned investments, expansions or reviews scheduled to address aged care accommodation pressures in Warren–Blackwood in the 2025–26 or 2026–27 budgets?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
25 June 2025
Responded by
Minister for Aged Care and Seniors
Response time
10 days
1-7 The Commonwealth Government is the funder and regulator of the aged care system in Australia. The Commonwealth hold available data on aged care beds.
The State Government co-funds 99 residential Transition Care Program (TCP) places with an average occupancy rate of 96% during the period May 2024 to May 2025. In addition, 128 community TCP places were available to provide support in a person’s home with an average occupancy of 65% for the same period.
Decisions about whether aged care places are used for permanent residential aged care, respite or transition care is a decision made by providers.
The State Government has committed $100 million to provide low interest loans to providers for an additional 500 concessional aged care beds across the State.
The State Government co-funds 99 residential Transition Care Program (TCP) places with an average occupancy rate of 96% during the period May 2024 to May 2025. In addition, 128 community TCP places were available to provide support in a person’s home with an average occupancy of 65% for the same period.
Decisions about whether aged care places are used for permanent residential aged care, respite or transition care is a decision made by providers.
The State Government has committed $100 million to provide low interest loans to providers for an additional 500 concessional aged care beds across the State.
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