These challenges notably include rising demand, pressure on financial sustainability and ongoing uncertainty regarding regulatory and funding settings.

The review revealed and confirmed a number of ongoing challenges regarding the operating circumstances of much of the residential aged care sector. Specifically, the review did not identify marketplace approaches suited to support the operation of Australian Unity’s Better Together^® model of residential aged care on an ongoing and sustainable basis.

Given this, Australian Unity is implementing a set of initiatives designed to improve and maintain near-term financial sustainability, while continuing to deliver high quality care. There are no changes planned for day-to-day operations.

Rohan Mead, Group Managing Director, said that the review affirmed the valued approach of its aged care operations to residents and their families, especially Australian Unity’s Better Together^® model of support in residential aged care.   

“Into the medium and longer term, we will be investigating what commercial structuring and financial arrangements we might implement that protect the high-quality proposition that is so clearly valued by current and prospective residents—evidenced by sector leading occupancy levels across our facilities.”

“We will do this while also continuing to lobby governments to provide a more supportive environment for residential aged care and to meaningfully address the many policy challenges facing the aged care sector in this country.” Mr Mead said.

-ENDS-

Media contact:
T: 1300 408 776
E: media@australianunity.com.au

About Australian Unity
Established in 1840, Australian Unity is a member-owned wellbeing company with more than 385,000 members and more than 700,000 customers. Our range of health, wealth and care products and services provides member, customer and community value that is supportive of personal and community wellbeing.