The Albanese Government is investing a $37 million cost of living funding boost for more than 500 aged care meals providers, so nutritious quality meals are delivered to older people in their homes.
From 1 January 2025, all Commonwealth Home Support Programme meals providers receive a one-off 10% cost of living top up of their 2024-25 meals funding to alleviate cost pressures and reduce impact on service delivery.
Services in our community of Barton have had their funding boosted totalling $182,430, including:
- St George Meals on Wheels - $81,897
- Canterbury Meals on Wheels - $37,078
- Canterbury-Bankstown Council - $48,450
- Resourceful Australian-Indian Network - $15,015
This investment brings the Albanese Government’s annual investment in CHSP meals services to $131.64 million.
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) supports over 835,000 older people to access entry-level aged care services, including meal delivery, to help them stay healthy and connected.
This boost in funding is in addition to 2 targeted CHSP growth funding rounds in 2024-25, totalling $110 million, which the government initiated in response to increasing service demand pressures for domestic assistance, allied health and therapy, transport and home maintenance.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Aged Care, Anika Wells:
“Our $37m investment will help Meals on Wheels and other meals providers deliver an essential service, bringing healthy meals to older Australians to help them stay healthy and connected to their community.
We want to ensure they can continue to deliver better choice, better nutrition and better social supports for older people living at home.
Quotes attributable to Linda Burney, Member for Barton
“Aged care meal providers deliver much more than a meal – it’s a social connection, it’s a welfare check, and for some, it can be a lifeline.”
“Older Australians deserve a good quality of life, and healthy meals are an important part of everyone’s wellbeing.
“CHSP meal services want to support as many older people to stay independent, healthy and connected as possible, and the Albanese Government’s funding boost will help them do just that.
