Aged care providers in the Richmond electorate will be able to apply for funds under the next Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR) from May.

The Nationals Duty Senator for Richmond John Williams says the Round will continue to expand the Home Care Packages program which provides individually tailored packages of home care services to help older Australians remain living independently in their own home.

Senator Williams said the residential aged care places will also be made available in the next ACAR.

The Government will make funding available for capital grants under the Rural, Regional and Other Special Needs Building Fund.

“The Government recognises that many older Australians wish to remain in their own home for as long as possible.

The ACAR is the major funding round in the aged care industry and provides aged care places to service providers through a competitive assessment process. These providers should be considering the aged care needs in their area prior to the Round opening in May.

The Invitation to Apply for places and capital funding will be announced in major newspapers and on the Department of Social Services’ website (www.dss.gov.au) in May 2014”, Senator Williams said