The Albanese Labor 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 Program (CHSP) meals providers, including Ipswich Meals On Wheels and Cabanda Care in Blair, will 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.
This will increase funding to CHSP meals providers by $37 million over the next three years.
Ipswich Meals On Wheels will receive an immediate $70,912 boost and Cabanda Care aged care facility at Rosewood will receive an additional $3,423.
This investment brings the Albanese Government’s annual investment in CHSP meals services to $131.64 million.
This boost in funding is in addition to two 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.
The additional funding follows increased funding already delivered to Ipswich Meals On Wheels. Since the Albanese Government was elected, funding for meal providers through the CHSP has increased by over 16%.
Funding increases for Ipswich Meals On Wheels have been far greater. Since the Albanese Government was elected and with the additional funding announced today, Ipswich Meals On Wheels funding has grown by almost 68% from $479,088 in 2022-23 to $804,851 in 2024-25.
The CHSP supports over 835,000 older people to access entry-level aged care services, including meal delivery, to help them stay healthy and connected.
Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells said cost and demand for Meals On Wheels and Cabanda Care was increasing, which is why the Albanese Government has made such a significant investment.
“Our $37 million investment will help Ipswich Meals On Wheels, Cabanda Care and other meals providers deliver an essential service, bringing healthy meals to older Australians to help them stay healthy and connected to their community,” Minister Wells said.
“We’re giving an immediate funding boost to CHSP meals providers servicing communities across Australia. We want to ensure they can continue to deliver better choice, better nutrition and better social supports for older people living at home.
“Meals On Wheels and other CHSP meals providers are a vital and well-loved part of our aged care system. Often, they are also valued providers of social support, helping older people to stay connected to their local community and live at home for longer.”
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said the cost of living boost was great news for Ipswich Meals On Wheels and Cabanda Care and the whole Blair community.
“These organisations 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,” Mr Neumann said.
“The true value of these services is that they deliver much more than a meal – it’s a social connection, it’s a welfare check, and for some, it can be a lifeline.”
