- Aged Care Reform
- Pricing & Funding
$10M Burrangiri rescue keeps 15 respite beds but adds none, critics say
Key points5 points
- The Commonwealth will provide $10 million through the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program to refurbish Burrangiri, which the ACT Government has deemed not fit for purpose.
- Burrangiri's 15 respite beds will be temporarily closed during refurbishment, with works scheduled from the second half of 2027 to 2028.
- Providers can respond to a forthcoming call for expressions of interest, expected late October, to supply substitute overnight and day respite starting July 2027, while Burrangiri's beds are offline.
- No additional respite beds are included, and the government says it will continue assessing longer-term options, including the Goodwin proposal for 18 high-care rooms.
- Unresolved concerns remain about eligibility, as people previously accessing Burrangiri through Home Care Packages reportedly cannot do so under Support at Home.
Summary
The Federal Government will spend a $10 million election commitment through the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program to keep the ACT Government-owned Burrangiri Aged Care Respite Centre in Rivett operating.
The facility will close temporarily for work health and safety refurbishment from the second half of 2027 to 2028, taking its 15 beds offline. Independent Senator David Pocock and other local politicians say the government broke its promise to increase respite capacity, and point to a proposal to convert administration space into 18 high-care respite rooms. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher says the funding was committed to keep Burrangiri running. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing plans to call for expressions of interest in late October for replacement respite services from July 2027.