By many measures our Australian age services industry is estimated to be the fifth largest employer in the nation, and stands on the cusp of the most significant change in its history. At the government level, providers and their clients face sweeping reforms to the funding arrangements that underpin existing care models. At the demographic level, there will be significantly increased demand for the services.
And from clients, there will be expectations of a broad spectrum of care and living support choices unlike anything previously experienced.
In the face of these challenges, the age services industry must move forward, playing a crucial role in designing the future of our industry. To achieve this we need to move beyond artificial divisions within the sector based on ownership structure or service type.
In order to shape a strong future for the sector, age services providers and their associations must speak to government, policy makers, the media and the public with a strong, unified voice. We must recognise and reflect the increasing diversity of the sector, and the changing nature of the health and support services and lifestyle choices available to older Australians.
We must meet the challenge of renewal and innovation across our industry – as we face the opportunity of these “once in a lifetime†reforms.