Extra one-off funding for HACC services

Home and Community Care (HACC) services in South Australia will receive an additional $463,000 in one-off funding, following an announcement on 7 June by the Australian Government Minister for Ageing, Christopher Pyne, and South Australian Minister for Ageing, Jay Weatherill.

The funding has been allocated to a variety of projects that will enhance the operation of the HACC program across South Australia.

This one-off funding is in addition to the 7.99% funding increase for 2006-07, announced in February 2007, which brought the total recurrent HACC funding for South Australia this financial year to more than $128 million.

Mr Pyne said the additional funding would support existing and important care services in metropolitan and country areas.

“HACC services enable people to continue living independently in their own homes,” Mr Pyne said.

Mr Weatherill said the funding would have a particular focus on carers.

“In recognising the important role of carers, funding has been approved to provide training for HACC-funded service providers on their responsibilities towards carers, both as clients and employees. Carer support services have also been funded in the Yorke Peninsula and Northern Metropolitan area.”

The Australian Government is providing about 62% of HACC funding for South Australia for services such as domestic assistance, personal care, meals and home maintenance to older Australians, people with a disability and their carers, in their own homes.

The HACC program is a joint Australian Government and state and territory government program.