On 20 May, Treasurer Tim Pallas handed down the Victorian state budget for 2021-22. We take you through what’s in it for older Victorians – and where more is still needed.
Mental health
Following last year’s Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, the Government has allocated $3.8 billion over four years to kickstart reform. This includes funding to:
- increase the capacity of adult and older adult mental health and wellbeing services to treat and support adults and older adults with severe and complex mental health and wellbeing challenges
- develop a diverse communities’ mental health and wellbeing framework and blueprint for action, with a strong focus on the needs of LGBTIQ+ Victorians.
What else is needed?
This is the single biggest investment in mental health by any government in Australia, ever. We congratulate the Victorian Government on the work that’s already underway, and we’ll be watching how the recommendations from the Royal Commission are implemented over the coming months. Importantly, we want to see older people with lived experience of mental illness having input into the reform process.
Aged care
Aged care was a big-ticket item in this year’s Commonwealth budget following the MAy release of the final report from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Key Victorian budget measures include:
- An additional $29 million for public sector residential aged care services to meet nurse-to-patient ratios and continue to provide high-quality care to vulnerable older people, including those with mental health issues.
- $65 million to rebuild existing aged care facilities and develop new ones in three regional areas of the state.
What else is needed?
While we commend the commitment to improving public sector residential aged care, more needs to be done to improve outcomes for older Victorians accessing aged care more broadly. Our forthcoming position statement with have more recommendations on this.
Elder abuse
We welcome the continued funding for existing elder abuse services such as Elder Abuse Prevention Networks. In light of the fact that older people who care for a family member with mental illness are at increased risk of experiencing elder abuse, we also welcome funding for:
- services to support families and carers of people experiencing mental illness
- supported housing for adults and young people living with mental illness.
What else is needed?
Existing elder abuse services are only in a few locations. We’re calling for sustainable funding to support a statewide framework for preventing and responding to elder abuse. This will help ensure equal access to services and support for older Victorians, no matter where they live. We also want increased accountability for perpetrators of elder abuse.
Digital inclusion and access to information
The budget includes more funding to move services online, including $70 million for Services Victoria to digitise processes such as grant applications and business licensing approvals. This is likely to increase the digital divide for older people.
What else is needed?
We are calling on the Victorian Government to:
- ensure that all government services provide information and payment options through a variety of digital and non-digital channels
- ensure that all digital systems comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1
- continue to fund support for older people who can’t access information online, including a telephone line for information and referral services to older Victorians
- provide financial assistance to support older Victorians on low incomes to become internet-connected.
Transport
Given that many older Victorians have mobility difficulties, we welcome the investment of $15 million for accessibility and amenity improvements across the public transport network.
What else is needed?
We’ve previously asked the Victorian government to fund a feasibility study into the demand and most suitable model for a community-based supported transport program for disadvantaged Victorians. The unmet need for community transport has not been addressed in this year’s budget, and must be prioritised as a matter of urgency.
Social isolation and loneliness
We welcome continued funding for the Seniors Festival’s online program to provide outreach to isolated older people through online, video and radio entertainment. We also welcome ongoing funding for the Multicultural Seniors Support grants program, which helps older Victorians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to connect through regular social outings, cultural events and activities.
What else is needed?
Last year, we asked the Victorian Government to fund a range community-based programs to address social isolation and loneliness among older people, including targeted funding for at-risk populations such as older men. With the exception of the Multicultural Seniors Support grants, this year’s budget still lacks dedicated funding for different seniors groups.
