Australia Takes the Lead in Dementia Care with Historic National Plan

The Albanese Government has released a historic document, the National Dementia Action Plan 2024-2034, marking a strong commitment to Australia being more dementia inclusive. The Plan outlines eight high-level actions for implementation over the next decade. The focus is on increasing dementia awareness, reducing the population’s risk of dementia, and driving better coordinated dementia services.

Progress against the Plan will be tracked and reported annually through an online dashboard developed by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

The Plan was developed in partnership with state and territory governments and informed by people living with dementia, their carers and families, aged care providers and workers, advocates, health professionals, researchers and peak industry bodies and organisations.
 
The government have delivered on our commitment to work with state and territory governments to create a better coordinated and integrated approach to dementia support, responding to recommendation 15 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

The eight action plans are:

• Action 1: Promote equity and human rights
• Action 2: Tackle stigma, improve awaremess and promote inclusivity
• Action 3: Empower individuals and communities to minimise risk where they can, and delay onset and progression
• Action 4: Improve dementia diagnosis and post-diagnostic care and support
• Action 5: Improve treatment, coordination and support for people living with dementia
• Action 6: Support carers of people living with dementia
• Action 7: Build capability of the workforce to care for and support people living with dementia
• Action 8: Improve dementia data, maximise the impact of dementia research and promote innovation

The Albanese Government has already made significant investments to improve dementia care.

The 2024/25 Budget invested $101.4 million in better care for people with complex care needs as well as readying the health system for new diagnosis and treatment advances.
 
The government are providing $7.7 million in 2025-26 to boost dementia training, following the Royal Commission’s recommendations and we are directing $1.7 million in 2025-26 to the Australian Dementia Network to continue preparing the healthcare system for new developments in the diagnosis and treatment of dementia.
 
As part of the Government’s commitment to Strengthening Medicare, $56.8 million has been allocated to support older patients with dementia to transition out of hospital into aged care, with an additional $8 million invested to expand the delivery of innovative respite programs.
 
Importantly, the Plan also fulfils Australia’s obligations in relation to the World Health Organization’s Global Action Plan on the Public Health Response to Dementia 2017-2025.

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