Media Release by Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield

Extra $21.3 million for home support across Victoria

A funding boost to the Home and Community Care (HACC) programme in Victoria will deliver an extra 200,000 hours of care and support in the home to older people, younger people with disability and their carers.

The Australian Government is delivering an additional $21.3 million into the HACC programme.

It is part of a $681 million joint investment with the Victorian Government in HACC in 2014/15.

There are around 440 HACC agencies across Victoria providing support to more than 300,000 older Victorians, younger people with disability and their carers.

HACC services provide practical assistance, including domestic assistance, personal care, property maintenance, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and respite.

This additional funding is providing vital support for many older Australians and younger people with disability in Victoria to live independently at home and stay connected to friends and family.

More than $9 million of the boost will support minor capital grants and $1.4 million will be used for training, emergency management communications and information resources such as a guide to support people newly diagnosed with dementia.