Part 2: Payments for Specific Purposes (Continued)
Community services
In 2011‑12, the Commonwealth will provide funding of $3.4 billion to support state community services.
From 1 July 2011, as part of the National Health Reform arrangements, the Commonwealth will take on full policy and funding responsibility for national aged care services and specialist disability services for people 65 years and over (50 years and over for Indigenous Australians). The States will take on responsibility for disability services for people under 65 years (under 50 years for Indigenous Australians). Additional details on the new National Health Reform arrangements are set out in Part 1.
Table 2.6 provides information on payments to support state community services.
Table 2.6: Payments to support state community services
- The adjustment to achieve budget neutrality will be made to either the National Healthcare SPP or the National Disability SPP subject to further negotiations on elements of the National Health Reform arrangements.
National Disability Agreement
The National Disability Agreement commits the Commonwealth and the States to strive, through the provision of disability support services, to help people with disabilities and their carers achieve an enhanced quality of life and participate as valued members of the community.
To meet these objectives, governments have agreed to reform their services, including to:
- improve the provision of services and opportunities to enhance the capacity of people with disability;
- ensure that services are person‑centred and provide timely access to the necessary support needs;
- identify, plan and respond to the development and support needs of people with disability at an early stage and at key life transition points; and
- support the role of carers and families, including through strengthening their informal support networks.
National Disability SPP
The National Disability SPP is the funding associated with the National Disability Agreement. The Commonwealth is providing funding to the States under the National Disability SPP to support disability services.
Growth factor
The Intergovernmental Agreement defines the growth factor for the National Disability SPP as the rolling five‑year average of year‑on‑year growth in nominal gross domestic product.
For the purpose of calculating indexation, the Disabilities Assistance Package will be deducted from the base to calculate 2010‑11 and 2011‑12 funding as the package already includes an escalation factor. The package will form part of the base to calculate funding for 2012‑13 onwards.
The growth factor is estimated to be 6.30 per cent in 2011‑12.
Changed roles and responsibilities — adjustment to achieve budget neutrality(a)(b)
- Estimated amounts for Victoria and Western Australia, and amounts for 2014‑15 for all States are subject to further negotiations between the Commonwealth and the States.
- The adjustment to achieve budget neutrality will be made to either the National Healthcare SPP or the National Disability SPP subject to further negotiations on elements of the National Health Reform arrangements.
From 1 July 2011, the Commonwealth will make an adjustment to ensure that the changes to Commonwealth and State roles and responsibilities for aged care and disability services as part of the National Health Reform arrangements are budget neutral. The estimated adjustments for Victoria and Western Australia exclude any changes associated with basic community care maintenance and support services, but give effect to the other changes affecting roles and responsibilities. Discussions are continuing between the Commonwealth and Victoria and Western Australia respectively in relation to their involvement in the basic community care maintenance and support reforms.
Subject to further negotiations on elements of the National Health Reform arrangements, it is anticipated that the adjustment to achieve budget neutrality will be made to either the National Healthcare SPP or National Disability SPP.
National Partnership payments for community services
National Partnership on transitioning responsibilities for aged care and disability services
The National Partnership on transitioning responsibilities for aged care and disability services forms part of the National Health Reform arrangements. This agreement will implement the first phase of changes to the roles and responsibilities associated with the Commonwealth taking full funding and policy responsibility for basic community care services and specialist disability services for people aged 65 years and over (50 years and over for Indigenous Australians).
As part of these reforms, States will reimburse the Commonwealth for the cost of packaged community care and residential care services delivered to persons under the age of 65 (50 years for Indigenous Australians). Further details of the new National Health Reform arrangements can be found in Part 1.
Basic community care maintenance and support services component(a)
- Amounts shown in 2010‑11 reflect the final year of the Home and Community Care program in all States except for Victoria and Western Australia.
The Commonwealth will provide funding for the provision of basic community care maintenance and support services such as domestic assistance and personal care to older people. These services will provide support for people aged 65 years and over (50 years and over for Indigenous Australians), and will replace the Home and Community Care program. From July 2012, funding for these services will be provided by the Commonwealth directly to service providers.
Funding will also be provided to Victoria and Western Australia to continue the current Home and Community Care program as they are not signatories to this element of the National Health Reform arrangements. Victoria and Western Australia have agreed to further consider the basic community care maintenance and support elements of the National Health Reforms for resolution before the next COAG meeting.
Specialist disability services component
The Commonwealth will provide funding for specialist disability services for people aged 65 years and over (50 years and over for Indigenous Australians). Over time it is expected that payments for these services will be made directly to service providers.
National Partnership on aged care assessment(a)
- Funding in 2012‑13 is the final payment for deliverables relating to 2011‑12.
The Commonwealth will provide funding to the States to enable aged care assessment teams to comprehensively assess the care needs of frail older people and to establish their eligibility for appropriate residential aged care, community aged care and flexible aged care, including transition care.
From 2012‑13, the Commonwealth will take direct responsibility for aged care assessment in line with its new responsibilities to deliver a nationally consistent set of services, support, assessment, care and regulation.
National Partnership on certain concessions for pensioners and seniors card holders
Certain concessions for pensioners component
National reciprocal transport concessions component
The Commonwealth is providing funding for the National Partnership on certain concessions for pensioners and seniors card holders. This National Partnership was established to provide concessions for pensioner concession card holders in relation to council land and water rates, utilities including energy and sewerage, motor vehicle registration and public transport. In return for these payments, State governments agree to provide these concessions to all pensioners without discrimination.
The Commonwealth is also providing funding for public transport concessions under this National Partnership to enable seniors card holders to access public transport concessions when they travel outside their home state.
National Partnership on Closing the Gap in the Northern Territory
Community safety — family support component
Field operations component
Food security component
Property and tenancy management rent reimbursement component
Remote policing component
Substance abuse component
The Commonwealth is providing funding for the National Partnership on Closing the Gap in the Northern Territory. This National Partnership was established to provide for the transition of the Northern Territory Emergency Response to a three year development phase to build on and enhance existing measures in law and order, community safety, education, health, food security and interpreters. It also places a greater emphasis on community engagement and partnerships, whilst building capability and leadership within Indigenous communities.
Other payments made as part of the National Partnership on Closing the Gap in the Northern Territory are discussed in the Health and Education sections of this Part.
National Partnership on Home and Community Care — services for veterans(a)(b)
- Estimated amounts for Western Australia are for providing services to persons aged under 65 only.
- Involvement in this National Partnership by Victoria and Western Australia is subject to further negotiations.
The Commonwealth is providing funding for the National Partnership on Home and Community Care — services for veterans. This National Partnership was established to facilitate access by veterans to services through home and community care programs. From 2011‑12, the funding provided under this National Partnership is for veterans aged under 65 years. Funding for veterans aged 65 years and over will be provided by the Department of Health and Ageing, other than in Victoria.
National Partnership on the Victorian bushfire reconstruction and recovery
plan
The Commonwealth has provided funding for the National Partnership on the Victorian bushfire reconstruction and recovery plan. This National Partnership facilitated the Commonwealth's additional contribution to Victoria for the longer term reconstruction and recovery of communities affected by the Victorian bushfires in February 2009.
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