The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) has opened public consultation on the future pricing and costing of residential aged care, calling on providers, residents, families and the broader sector to help shape its advice to the Australian Government.
IHACPA has released its Consultation Paper on the Pricing Framework for Australian Residential Aged Care Services 2027–28, outlining key issues that will inform future funding and pricing arrangements across the residential aged care sector.
The authority is seeking feedback from a broad range of stakeholders, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, providers operating in small regional, rural and remote communities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and residents, their families, carers and consumer representatives.
IHACPA said stakeholder feedback would help ensure its pricing and costing advice accurately reflects the cost of delivering high-quality care while meeting the needs of the sector.
The consultation focuses on several priority areas identified through previous engagement with stakeholders, including residential respite care funding arrangements, participation and representation in IHACPA’s cost collections, refinements to the allocation of administrative and care costs, the potential impacts of transitioning to the Aged Care Act 2024, and supplements and grants for residents with specific care needs.
The authority is encouraging interested parties to review the consultation paper and provide feedback through its Engagement Hub.
Submissions close at 5pm AEST on Friday, 21 August 2026.
