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Aged Care Capital Assistance Program (ACCAP)

Aged Care Capital Assistance Program (ACCAP)

  • Applications: The opportunity for the thin markets and multiple streams grant is currently available until January 12, 2024.
  • Grants: A total funding pool of up to $135 million is allocated across the four streams for this grant opportunity.

The Aged Care Capital Assistance Program (ACCAP) offers grants for aged care infrastructure, with the goal of sustaining or enhancing access to high-quality aged care services in areas with limited market presence. This includes individuals:
- from First Nations communities
- residing in regional, rural, and remote locations
- experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness
- having other complex and diverse needs, including dementia

This grant opportunity aims to provide funding for infrastructure projects through four funding streams, primarily focusing on enhancing access to quality aged care services in small rural towns and remote or very remote communities. Additionally, it seeks to support specific demographics of older Australians, such as those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and individuals from First Nations communities.

Key Requirements

This grant opportunity encompasses a total of $135 million distributed across four streams, as follows:

  • $95 million allocated jointly to:
    • Stream 1 – Staff Accommodation, and
    • Stream 2 – Upgrades, Expansions, or New Builds.
  • $30 million designated for Stream 3 – Specialised Homeless.
  • $10 million allocated to Stream 4 – NATSIFAC Minor Projects and Equipment.

Applicants are required to submit a separate application for each funding stream they are seeking. It is permissible to apply for multiple streams if applicable.

The grant duration spans a maximum of four years, requiring completion of the designated activity by June 30, 2027.

Each stream is associated with specific objectives, outcomes and eligibility requirements that must be considered during the application process.

Stream 1 – Staff Accommodation

Limited staff accommodation options in small rural towns and remote or very remote communities pose challenges for aged care providers, hindering their ability to attract and retain crucial workers, including registered nurses and personal care assistants. The stream targets residential-based aged care services in MM 5 to 7 locations, offering an opportunity to construct purpose-built staff housing tailored to the diverse needs of aged care workers.

  • Objective: enhance the provision of secure, comfortable, private, and culturally appropriate staff accommodation for aged care workers in small rural towns, remote, or very remote communities (MM 5-7).
  • Intended outcomes: support aged care workers in residing and working in these locations. Assist providers in attracting and retaining a competent workforce, thereby:
    • improving access to quality care for older Australians
    • enhancing viability and sustainability for aged care service providers.
  • Service Type/Program: Residential-based aged care services, delivering one of the below service types:
    • mainstream residential care services
    • Multi-Purpose Services (MPS)
    • National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care (NATSIFAC) services
  • Location: MM 5-7
  • Other eligibility conditions: MPS applicants belonging to a state or territory government provider entity are required to contribute at least 50% of the total grant amount requested.

Stream 2 – Upgrades, Expansions, or New Builds

Rising construction costs, material shortages, and trade deficits in the building sector have restricted opportunities for some providers, particularly those based in small rural towns, remote, or very remote communities. The stream, divided into two segments, offers a chance for mainstream residential aged care service providers (Stream 2A) and specific home-based aged care services (Stream 2B) in MM 5-7 locations to enhance or establish services.

  • Objective: enhance the delivery of quality aged care services in small rural towns, remote, or very remote communities (MM 5-7).
  • Intended outcomes: empowering aged care providers to execute infrastructure projects, resulting in:
    • improved access to quality care for older Australians
    • enhanced viability and sustainability for aged care service providers.
  • Service Type/Program:
    • Stream 2A: residential-based aged care services, inclusive of mainstream residential care
    • Stream 2B: Home-based aged care services, delivering one or both of the below service types:
      • Home Care Packages (HCP) Program
      • Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
  • Location: MM 5-7
  • Other eligibility conditions: Stream 2B – Services that deliver home-based aged care services to First Nations communities (via a community hub/building) in the absence of any residential-based aged care service within the same township

Stream 3 – Specialised Homeless

The number of older Australians facing homelessness or at risk of it is on the rise, placing a growing demand on aged care services, especially mainstream residential aged care services. Recipients in this demographic exhibit complex behavioural needs and face social disadvantages linked to their backgrounds. This trend presents an opportunity for existing providers of mainstream residential aged care services with Specialised Homeless status to enhance existing services or establish new ones. This should be done with a commitment to maintaining specialised homeless care and obtaining Specialised Homeless status for the new services.

  • Objective: assist providers with Specialised Homeless Status in delivering high-quality aged care services to this vulnerable cohort.
  • Intended outcomes:
    • improved access to quality specialized aged care for older Australians experiencing homelessness or at risk of it
    • enhanced the viability and sustainability of aged care service provision
  • Service Type/Program: residential-based aged care services, inclusive of mainstream residential care services
  • Location: all locations
  • Other eligibility conditions:
    • Existing service: services must have Specialised Homeless status.
    • New Service: the provider of the planned new service must have Specialised Homeless status at another service it operates.

Stream 4 – NATSIFAC Minor Projects and Equipment

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care (NATSIFAC) Program forms a crucial part of the strategy to enhance the quality and accessibility of aged care services for older First Nations people, particularly those in rural and remote areas. This program offers a flexible model of aged care to address the evolving care needs of First Nations individuals, encompassing a combination of residential and home care services tailored to community requirements.

Within this framework, support is extended to NATSIFAC services for minor infrastructure projects, maintenance, and the acquisition or replacement of equipment and furniture at their facilities.

The overarching objective is to assist providers of NATSIFAC services in delivering culturally safe aged care services to First Nations people.

  • Objective: assist NATSIFAC service providers in delivering culturally safe aged care services to First Nations people
  • Intended outcomes: First Nations people have improved access to quality, culturally safe aged care
  • Service Type/Program: residential-based and/or home-based aged care services, inclusive of NATSIFAC Program
  • Location: MM 5-7
  • Other eligibility conditions:
  • Minor Projects: minor projects cannot exceed $800,000 (GST exclusive) per service.
  • Equipment: replacement of furniture or equipment cannot exceed $150,000 (GST exclusive) per service.

What is eligible for funding?

Eligible grant activities may include but are not limited to:

  • infrastructure initiatives, including upgrades, extensions, and new constructions
  • safety and security enhancements
  • acquisition of furniture, fittings, and equipment
  • IT (Information Technology) infrastructure and upgrades
  • land acquisition.

Permissible expenditure items include:

  • Costs linked to new construction or the extension/upgrading of existing infrastructure, involving:
    • engagement of a project manager
    • planning, design, and approvals
    • construction materials and labour expenses
    • connection of utilities like sewage, water, and electricity
    • upgrades to utility services
    • compliance with safety standards
    • landscaping, pathways, and outdoor areas
    • security enhancements, encompassing perimeter fencing and camera systems.
  • Costs associated with land acquisition
  • Procurement of furniture, fittings, and equipment, such as:
    • furniture items (e.g., lounge and dining tables)
    • beds, hoists, and mobility equipment
    • kitchen equipment like walk-in fridges/freezers and commercial ovens
    • commercial-grade laundry equipment
    • security apparatus and duress alarms
    • fire safety equipment
    • water tanks
    • generators
    • solar panels and solar battery storage
    • heating/cooling systems.
  • IT infrastructure and upgrades, including:
    • video conferencing capabilities
    • nurse call systems

What companies are eligible for funding?

To qualify, you must be an approved aged care provider by the Australian Government and fall under one of the following entity categories:

  • Indigenous Corporation (registered under the Corporations Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Act 2006)
  • Company
  • Corporate Commonwealth Entity
  • Non-Corporate Commonwealth Statutory Authority
  • Corporate State or Territory Entity
  • Non-corporate State or Territory Entity
  • Non-corporate State or Territory Statutory Authority
  • Local Government
  • Cooperative
  • Incorporated Association
  • Statutory Entity
  • Partnership
  • Unincorporated Association

If applying as a Trustee representing a Trust, the Trustee must belong to an eligible entity type listed above.

Consortium applications are acceptable, provided there is a lead organisation solely accountable to the Commonwealth for grant activities and meets the eligibility criteria mentioned. Only the lead organisation can submit the application and engage in a grant agreement with the Commonwealth.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

  • Industry analysis presentation
  • Competitor Analysis Presentation
  • Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
  • 3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
  • 3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
  • End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
  • CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
  • Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
  • Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.