Aged care needs $621 million extra a year to be at best standard

The University of Queensland study also suggested the government would need to invest $3.2 billion for every home to operate as a small-sized home model.

Aged care homes were found to have an average total cost efficiency of 88 per cent, a result higher than most care sectors, further suggesting it is a lack of funds and not waste that is a major issue.

Royal commissioners Tony Pagone QC and Lynelle Briggs said higher funding is needed to meet basic standards, and more funding is needed still for sector reform.

"Australians expect that all are entitled to the best quality level of care in aged care homes," the commissioners said.

"Additional funding will be needed to enable providers to meet those expectations consistently."

Labor leader Anthony Albanese will use a speech at the National Press Club on Thursday to continue to put pressure on the government over spending on aged care, calling on the government to consider minimum staffing levels in residential aged care, to ensure every facility has adequate personal protective equipment and to implement a better surge workforce strategy.

He will also say the government should consider more funding for the aged care royal commission, which has said it can't fully investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the sector due to time constraints.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has defended his government's spending on aged care as he continues to face pressure over coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes.

Labor used question time on Wednesday to accuse the government of undermining the sector's ability to respond to the virus by cutting aged care funding by $1.7 billion.

The savings were outlined in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 budgets, with the latter outlining a $1.2 billion savings by refining aged care funding. Mr Morrison - the treasurer behind those budgets - denies it was a cut.

"Our government has continued to increase funding in aged care every year," he said, putting the figure at an extra $1 billion annually.

The Prime Minister has flagged further funds in the forthcoming October budget.

Labor is also calling for Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck's scalp after he was unable to tell a Senate inquiry how many residents had died in aged care facilities.

The opposition is attempting to force the minister to make a statement to the Senate on Thursday outlining his handling of the portfolio during the pandemic.

READ MORE:

Mr Morrison recently mapped out a plan with state and territory leaders as to when aged care emergency response centres can be triggered.

They will pop up across the country should coronavirus case numbers increase.

A response centre has already been established in Victoria, where hundreds of nursing home residents have died from coronavirus.

State or federal governments can stand up other centres.

"The trigger for that is the medical evidence, the state of the pandemic, should it escalate to the level or move towards the level we've seen in Victoria," the Prime Minister said.

The federal government is facing ongoing scrutiny of its response to aged care outbreaks in Victoria.

Mr Morrison has launched a scathing attack on Victoria to deflect responsibility, putting the blame on the state's hotel quarantine, testing and tracing systems.

He has also tried to alleviate concerns by arguing Australia has done better in regards to aged care virus outbreaks compared to other countries.

Mr Albanese says he was shocked Mr Morrison argued 97 per cent of aged care facilities have had no infections.

"It is a heartless comment," he told the Seven Network.

"These people are saying goodbye to their loved ones on Facetime. And they deserve better than just the Prime Minister saying that 97 per cent is okay."