Aged care nurses and carers have welcomed the Albanese Government’s $3 billion funding package for aged care in the May 2026 Budget but say it’s not enough to fix the ailing sector.

The Federal Budget included some substantial investments in the sector, including 5,000 more residential aged care beds annually from July 2027, an increase to the Accommodation Supplement and $200 million in funding for 20 additional Specialist Dementia Care units, as well as an expansion of the Hospital to Aged Care Dementia Support Program. 

While the multi-billion dollar investment is welcome, advocates indicate it’s still not enough to fix chronic issues within the aged care sector. 

“While we’ve seen some significant reforms in aged care since the Royal Commission, our members continue to tell us that the system is still not fixed,” said Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Federal Secretary Annie Butler. 

“The Budget funding package is an important acknowledgment from the Government that aged care is struggling under ever-increasing demand for services – and we welcome its commitment to structural improvements to the system.” 

Workers in the sector are continuing to advocate for further systemic changes, including transparency around mandated care-minutes and accountability around taxpayer funding for private aged care operators.