Private aged care providers in SA seek tax relief

Private providers of residential care in South Australia are calling on the state government to include them in land tax exemptions.

Aged Care Association Australia (ACAA) SA says South Australia is now the only state which forces for-profit providers to pay land tax.

The group estimates that each facility is being taxed $18,000 on average, while the total cost to the state’s 55 private providers is close to $1 million per annum.

The bulk of the South Australia’s aged care facilities are run by church and charitable organisations, and receive exemptions as a result of their not-for-profit status.

“In terms of the state’s annual budget it’s a tiny amount, but in terms of the impact on providers themselves it is a significant amount,” chief executive officer of ACAA SA, Paul Carberry said.

“That adds up to a part-time member of staff who could be caring for residents with that money.”