Results of the 2015 Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR)

As announced earlier this week, a total of 17,385 new aged care places (10,940 residential aged care places and 6,445 home care places) were allocated across Australia in the 2015 Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR). These new places have an estimated annual recurrent funding value of over $910 million.

In addition, $67 million in capital grants has been allocated nationwide to help aged care providers to establish new services or upgrade existing facilities.

2015 ACAR Results Summary

Overall, competition for new aged care places was the strongest seen in recent ACARs.

Residential Aged Care Places

The Department received applications for 38,859 new residential aged care places, more than double the amount sought in the 2014 ACAR. This meant that approximately 4 new places were sought for every place available.  A total of 10,940 new residential aged care places were allocated following the competitive assessment process conducted by the Department.

• Around 62 per cent of residential aged care places were allocated for the development of new residential aged care services
• Around 38 per cent of residential aged care places were allocated to expand existing residential aged care services, rebuilding/upgrading of older services and expand services yet to be developed

Home Care Places

Competition for new home care places was extremely high. A total of 6,045 places were advertised on 15 August 2015 and an additional 400 Level 4 home care places were re-assigned for allocation in the 2015 ACAR

Changes were announced in the 2015-16 Budget to ensure that the aged care system in Australia continues to meet the needs of an ageing population. From February 2017, older Australians receiving Home Care Packages each year will be able to choose who provides their care, because the Government has changed the funding arrangements to attach the package to the individual, rather than the provider. As a result, this is the last ACAR in which providers will have to apply for home care places.

Residential aged care places and capital grant allocations:

Below are just some of the residential aged care providers who were allocated new places. Click here to view a full list. The figures represent the total number of places allocated per provider.

• Aegis Aged Care: 171
• Amana Living: 60
• Benetas: 66
• Anglican Care: 45
• Arcare: 180
• Aurrum: 108
• Bupa: 925
• Catholic Healthcare: 190
• Opal Aged Care: 654
• Mayflower Reservoir: 72
• Moran Australia: 312
• Regis Aged Care: 844
• Resthaven Murray Bridge: 18
• Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT): 3
• Southern Cross Care (VIC): 18
• TriCare: 50
• Villa Maria Catholic Homes: 108
• Warrigal Care: 80

Home care place allocations:

Below are just some of the home care providers who were allocated new places. Click here to view a full list. The figures represent the total number of places allocated per provider.

• Amana Living: 70
• Anglican Care: 29
• annecto: 288
• Australian Unity: 64
• Baptistcare (WA): 34
• BaptistCare (NSW/ACT): 117
• Brightwater Care Group: 57
• Helping Hand Aged Care: 88
• Just Better Care: 15
• Resthaven: 128
• RDNS: 61
• RSL Care: 40
• Southern Cross Care (SA & NT): 8
• Southern Cross Care (VIC): 96