The Howard Government is committed to supporting a choice of accessible, high-quality aged care services, both in residential aged care settings and in the community.

Working in partnership with organisations across the aged-care sector, we are striving to create a system that not only provides the care needed by older people, but is flexible enough to meet personal choices.

Expenditure on aged and community care services since 1995 has increased by about 149%, having grown from an estimated $3 billion in 1995-96 to a budgeted $7.8 billion in the 2006-07 financial year.

Following the report of the Review of Pricing Arrangements in Residential Aged Care, we invested an additional $2.2 billion in aged care in the 2004-05 Budget, and have continued to build on this commitment in subsequent Budgets.

This investment by the Howard Government will ensure greater security and better care for older people. It not only underpins new and continuing programs to support aged-care staff, but also helps them build their skills.

The Government is pleased to work with aged-care residents, their carers and families, as well as with staff, providers and other organisations to ensure that older Australians have available options that will let them choose the type of care and accommodation that suits their individual needs.

This web site provides valuable, easy-to-understand information for those who are about to make important choices about aged care. DPS Publishing is to be commended for making the information readily available.