This analysis report was developed in 2024 to provide stakeholders and the community with a detailed picture of the current availability of residential aged care in Western Australia (WA) and the challenges associated with meeting future demand.

To date, WA is the only state in Australia to assess the residential aged care market and forecast emerging demand for residential aged care. The analysis forecasts demand for residential aged care beds to 2029.

The purpose of the report is:

• to undertake a market analysis of the Western Australian aged care market, looking at current and forecast demand for aged care in WA. This includes demographic analysis to identify pressure points in the market
• analysis of the supply of aged care in WA to understand where new beds have come online, and to explore whether there are reasons as to why supply has not kept pace with demand.

Key findings

• Evidence suggests that parts of the Western Australian aged care system is operating at close to capacity with acute shortages in some areas of Greater Perth.
• Shortages are resulting in extensive waitlists for both Residential Aged Care and Home Care services. This strains the broader health system.
• On any given day over 150 WA metropolitan hospital beds are occupied by patients who no longer require hospital care and are awaiting aged care services.
• Significant investment is required in residential aged care in the medium term with high barriers to invest in facilities for lower income residents.