Q. Last week the Royal Commission into the aged care system released its findings and recommendations.

A major recommendation was the introduction of a levy on all taxpayers to pay for the costs of aged care, similar to the Medicare levy. 

To what extent do you support or oppose the introduction of an aged care levy?

• While 38% support the introduction of an aged care levy, a third (30% oppose) and a further third are undecided (31%).
• Significant difference in support is only seen among the three age cohorts. Unsurprisingly, support is higher with age (48% of those over 55 support the levy, followed by 38% of those 35-54 and 29% of those 18-34). Nearly half (46%) of those 18-34 are undecided about whether they would support or oppose the introduction of an aged care levy.

Q. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Assurance is investigating the current funding system for residential support and aged care. One suggestion for improvement is to introduce a loan scheme to pay for a person’s care in retirement. The personal loan is paid off using the person’s assets only after they die, with any outstanding loan amount covered by the government.

To what extent would you support or oppose this loan system for aged care if it were introduced?

• Just under half of people (48%) say they would support (somewhat/strongly) a change of funding for aged care to a loan-style system. Under a third opposed the idea (30%) and a further fifth (22%) were unsure.
• Younger people aged 18-34 were more supportive of the suggestion than those aged over 55 (56% to 41%). There was high support among Coalition voters (57%).

Q. In your opinion, who is most responsible for the recent Covid-19 outbreaks and spread of the virus within aged care facilities?

• Responsibility for the outbreaks in aged care is shared between Federal and state governments, an aged care providers. Consistent with results a fortnight ago, 42% say the providers hold the most responsibility (42% in last poll), 31% identify the Federal government (no change from 28%) and 28% the state governments (from 30%).
• Women, people aged over 55 and Coalition voters are most likely to hold aged care providers responsible, while Labor voters are more likely to say the Federal government has the most responsibility (42%).

Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the recent Covid-19 outbreaks and spread of the virus within aged care facilities?

• Perceptions of the causes of the spread of Covid-19 within aged care facilities are consistent with previous results. A majority of people believe that there was insufficient preparation from authorities (77% agreement) and that long-term underfunding of aged care facilities has worsened the impact (72%)
• Similar numbers also agree that the hygiene and care standards in private care homes has contributed to the spread of (69%) and that community transmission from friends and families of residents has also contributed to the spread (67%).

Q. It has been proposed that the Medicare levy could be increased from 2% to 2.65% to fund improvements to the aged care sector.

To what extent would you support or oppose this increase?

• The proposal to increase the Medicare levy to help fund the aged care sector could be a polarising issue for Australians. Similar proportions say they support (36%) and oppose (32%) the proposal
• Support for increasing the levy is highest mong those aged over 55 years (44%).
• There is net support among voters of the two major parties – 41% support, 28% opposition among Labor voters and 41% support, 31% oppose among Coalition voters). Those voting for minor, or independent candidates generally oppose the proposal (51% oppose, 21% support).

Q. In your opinion, who is most responsible for the recent Covid-19 outbreaks and spread of the virus within aged care facilities?

• Similar proportions of people attribute responsibility to the spread of Covid-19 within aged care facilities to Federal (28%) and state (30%) governments. However more (42%) place the responsibility on the providers of aged care.
• Men are more likely than women to say the Federal government is responsible (32% to 24%).
• Coalition voters are least likely to believe the Federal government is responsible for the outbreaks of Covid-19 within aged care facilities (25%).

Q. As far as you are aware, who is responsible for regulation and funding of private aged care facilities?

• About half of people correctly know that the Federal Government is responsible for the regulation and funding of private aged care facilities.

Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the recent Covid-19 outbreaks and spread of the virus within aged care facilities?

• There is acknowledgement in the community of a range of factors that have contributed to the spread of Covid-19 within aged care facilities. A majority of people believe that there was insufficient preparation from authorities (77% agreement) and that long-term underfunding of aged care facilities has worsened the impact.
• Similar numbers also agree that the hygiene and care standards in private care homes has contributed to the spread of (71%) and that community transmission from friends and families of residents has also contributed to the spread (67%).