Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA) is calling for any review of the $1.2B in cuts to the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) to be comprehensive rather than quick, following the failure of a Senate vote for an inquiry by the Greens and the Xenophon team.

The Opposition announced in September they would introduce a private member’s bill to look at aged care funding. While President Paul Sadler has welcomed the move, he’s asking for it to be undertaken in a “timely manner” as the sector struggles with rapidly changing regulations.

ACSA’s modelling suggests the proposed cuts will decrease funding per residents by an average of $6,655. It would also impact on other areas, such as workforce investment, which may in turn affect the quality of services.

“We have been calling for some time for a comprehensive review of aged care funding and we have welcomed the Government being willing to commence discussions on the funding tool … These discussion are ongoing,” Mr Sadler said.

At ACSA’s National Conference in September, Health Minister Sussan Ley said the Government was committed to dialogue with the aged care sector, but made it clear: “savings have to be made.”