The Australian Government is investing $37 million in a cost-of-living funding boost for more than 500 aged care meals providers, so nutritious, quality, meals are delivered to older people in their homes.
From 1 January 2025, all Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) meals providers will receive a 10% cost-of-living top-up of their 2024-25 meals funding to alleviate cost pressures and reduce impact on service delivery.
This will increase funding to CHSP meals providers by $37 million over the next three years.
This investment brings the government's annual investment in CHSP meals services to $131.64 million.
CHSP supports over 835,000 older people to access entry-level aged care services, including meal delivery, to help them stay healthy and connected.
Cost and demand for meals through CHSP is increasing, which is why the Australian Government has made such a significant investment.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Aged Care, Anika Wells:
"Our $37m investment will help Meals on Wheels and other meals providers deliver an essential service, bringing healthy meals to older Australians to help them stay healthy and connected to their community.
"We're giving an immediate cost-of-living funding boost to CHSP meals providers servicing communities across Australia. We want to ensure they can continue to deliver better choice, better nutrition and better social supports for older people living at home.
"Meals on Wheels and other CHSP meals providers are a vital and well-loved part of our aged care system. Often, they are also valued providers of social support, helping older people to stay connected to their local community and live at home for longer."
