Social Services Minister, Christian Porter, has announced the government will create an ‘innovation hub’ and use its $1 billion annual purchase budget to support new care and disability products, including software.

Using the term ‘assistive technology’, he said the government is expecting breakthroughs that will improve the quality of life and efficiency of support for aged and disabled people in their home and the community.

Examples would be modified eating utensils and thought controlled wheelchairs. The National Disability Insurance Scheme will cost $22 billion in the next five years and home care another $12 billion. Personal and community support accounts for 45% of expenditure.

The government is also setting up a central sourcing operation and its purchasing power will support new products and services. It will cover at least half of all product categories.