Possible areas for further work
- Explore the potential for modifications to the SDT - increasing the cap, working with state/territory governments to exempt homes from CGT and Stamp Duty, allowing tax-deductibility of donations; enabling income to be re-invested not taxed; enabling salary-sacrificing into an SDT and the possibility of developing some form of co-contribution scheme.
- Undertake research into innovative models of accommodation support and care in Australia and overseas, collate the information and make it widely available to governments, services, families and planners.
- Undertake research into best practice models for developing and sustaining "Circles of Support" or "Circles of Friends" as options to enhance private provision and make the information widely available.
- Explore how to remove impediments to hybrid models of accommodation and care - a) where funds or assets held by families can be joined with service resources to provide a package of care; and b) where the person with disability can move into supported accommodation but return home each weekend or for a night or two during the week as part of a transition process.
- Consider providing funding for planning services which are regionally based and can provide advice, information, planning support and review, counselling, and referral services to families and which involve family to family sharing of experiences and the opportunity to explore options.
- Explore the possibility of establishing a website and/or a toll-free information line providing advice, information, support and referral services around future planning.
- Consider providing funding to existing accommodation services or Carer Respite Centres to enable them to establish family/carer support groups.
- Explore schemes to encourage budgeting, saving and financial planning as an early intervention measure for families and carers with young children with disabilities.
DSS2826 | Permalink: www.dss.gov.au/node/2826