Government gives COVID-19 affected aged care royal commission three and a half month extension to report

The Commission will now deliver its final report by February 26, 2021.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government remained focused on the needs of older Australians, particularly as the country battled the impacts of COVID-19.

"Our number one priority for older Australians is to keep people safe and healthy and to live independently," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister said the suspension of Royal Commission hearings had reduced the ability to engage with stakeholders at the height of the pandemic.

"While these delays are have been caused by unprecedented circumstances, we're committed to ensuring the Royal Commission has the time and resources it needs to do its important work."

As part of its inquiry, the Royal Commission has recently announced it will examine the impact of the virus on residential aged care and home care, including responses from the sector and governments.

Ian Yates chief executive of Council on the Ageing Australia said the postponement still left the Government time to incorporate the findings into the May 2021 Budget.

"The Royal Commission is a critical opportunity to overhaul the way Australia delivers aged care," said Mr Yates.

"This is a once-in-a-generation chance to enact major reform and ensure high quality and appropriate aged care is properly funded for the first time so that it available to all on a timely and equitable basis - which it's not now.

"Our aged care system must provide care that is consumer centred and controlled and grounded in the standards of respect and dignity for all consumers tailored to older people's diverse and individual needs. There can be no one-size-fits-all approach, every older Australian deserves the support to live their best life possible with appropriate support and care.

"The Government must seize this opportunity to transform aged care in Australia through major policy change and a major increase in funding in next year's Budget so that we move on from the Royal Commission with a clear and timely pathway to an aged care system - home and residential - of which Australia can be unequivocally proud," he said.