Aged care supply and demand update 2026
Resident growth (3,858) continues to outpace bed growth (1,672), but both are well below expectations based on demographic drivers.
Bed growth has been constrained by weak financials, with future bed growth potentially being further undermined by the loss of confidence created by two consecutive years where funding growth has been well below cost increases, driven in part by IHACPA methodology problems.
Resident growth may be being suppressed by bed shortages, and growing delayed discharge rates show significant health system impacts. Record home care package increases may also have eased demand.
Read the full update here.
