The 2024-25 Federal Budget has announced investments in aged care, childcare, and community services – all areas covered by SECC. We’ve prepared a snapshot of some of the budget highlights.
Aged Care:
- $2.2 billion allocated to improve aged care services, including increased funding for home care packages.
- 24,100 new home care packages to be introduced, reducing wait times for seniors.
- $15.1 million dedicated to dementia care and support.
- In other news, the new Aged Care Act will commence on 1 July 2025.
Childcare:
- $5.1 billion committed to the Child Care Subsidy, supporting affordable childcare for low- and middle-income families.
- Increased funding for preschool programs, benefiting 350,000 children.
- $1.5 billion allocated to the National Partnership on Universal Access to Early Childhood Education.
- More information about educator wage increases can be found here.
Community Services and Mental Health:
- $14 million invested in community mental health services, focusing on youth mental health and suicide prevention.
- $160.8 million allocated to address domestic violence, including support for women and children fleeing family violence.
- In other news, 61 Medicare Mental Health Centres will be opened by 30 June 2026 to provide access to free mental health services to provide clinical services, for adults with moderate to severe mental health needs.
To find out about the aged care, childcare, and community services SECC offers, please contact us now on 02 8338 8506.