New Dementia Plan Welcomed, Urgent Funds Still Needed
Dementia Australia welcomes the release of the Collective Priority Framework for the National Dementia Action Plan, but says further investment is urgently needed to address the growing impact of dementia in Australia.
The Commonwealth and all state and territory Health Ministers have agreed the urgent priorities for action are:
Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said the release of the framework is a positive development and an important next step in addressing the growing impact of dementia now and into the future.
"We support the action areas that have been identified," Professor Buchanan said.
"We are also pleased that all governments will report annually on their dementia related activity and that people living with dementia will be involved in implementation.
"However, the National Dementia Action Plan was released in 2024 after extensive consultation.
"Since then, dementia has become the leading cause of death in Australia and there are now an estimated 446,500 people living with dementia - a figure projected to more than double to more than one million people by 2065 without significant intervention.
"People living with dementia, their families and carers have been patient and were expecting to see firmer commitments and new investment to address the growing human and economic cost of dementia.
"Without that, there is a danger services will not keep pace with demand and we will go backwards.
"We urgently need:
"Dementia Australia acknowledges current Government investments and is committed to delivering essential services and supports for people through the National Dementia Support Program, including the National Dementia Helpline available 24 hours a day seven days a week.
"However, to really shift the dial for people living with dementia and address its growing impact on health, community services and the economy, we need to act now.
"We understand all Government budgets are stretched, but reducing the new cases of dementia by just 5 per cent every year has been estimated to result in savings of $120.4 billion by 2056.
"We cannot afford to wait and are calling for the government to make further investments to make dementia a priority in the upcoming budget."
Read Dementia Australia's 2026-27 Commonwealth pre-budget submission at dementia.org.au/pre-budget
For dementia information and support contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 or visit dementia.org.au.
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