City of Ballarat proposes to transition aged care services

The following statement is attributable to City of Ballarat Chief Executive Officer Evan King. 

I have informed City of Ballarat staff of our proposal to change the way we deliver aged care services in line with the Federal Government’s Aged Care Reforms. 

After much consideration, the City of Ballarat is proposing to not transition to become a provider of the Federal Government’s new Support at Home program from 1 July, 2023. 

This means the City of Ballarat is proposing to withdraw from delivering the Commonwealth funded in-home services and support from 30 June, 2023. 

Instead, the City of Ballarat proposes to initiate a new council service model that provides social support, community transport and other active ageing services that aim to reduce social isolation and improve health and wellbeing. 

The Federal Government’s Aged Care Reforms aim to create a national, simplified and integrated aged care program that provides older Australians with quality, choice, control and better access to a full range of services. These reforms provide older residents, aged 65 and over, with the right to choose between multiple approved providers to source the care they require as their needs change.  

I believe this proposal provides the City of Ballarat with an opportunity to play a more focused role in supporting all older residents in our community in areas that align to our strategic focus in the Council Plan 2021-2025 and our new Ageing Well Strategy 2022-2026. 

The City of Ballarat is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our older residents.  

Under this proposal, clients now receiving Commonwealth Home Support Program services through the City of Ballarat will be supported in their transition to new providers. 

We also propose continuing to play an active role in ensuring our community receives high-quality aged care services and will strongly advocate for the needs of vulnerable community members. 

The proposal will impact a number of positions in our Ageing Well team. The City of Ballarat has met with impacted staff to discuss potential changes. Impacted staff will have the opportunity to apply for positions within the proposed new council service early next year. Redundancies will also be offered to impacted employees. 

Prior to making a recommendation to Council at the 23 November Council Meeting, the City of Ballarat is inviting staff to provide comments and suggestions on the proposed change. We will also consult with the union throughout the process. 

I want to take this opportunity to thank staff, particularly our Ageing Well team, for their ongoing professionalism and support. 

I am confident these proposed changes will result in an outcome that ensures we meet the needs, aspirations and priorities of our older residents and our entire community.