EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
STATUTORY RULES 1983 NO.45
ISSUED BY AUTHORITY OF THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH NATIONAL HEALTH REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)
Section 140 of the National Health Act 1953 (‘the Act’) provides that the Governor-General may make regulations prescribing all matters which are required or permitted by the Act to be prescribed, or which are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to the Act.
Sub-paragraph 47(2) (b) (iii) of the Act fixes the minimum amount of daily patient contribution ($6.70 or such higher amount as is prescribed by regulations) that nursing home patients accommodated in approved nongovernment nursing homes are required to contribute towards their care and treatment. Such an amount is prescribed by Regulation 29 of the National Health Regulations. Since 1978, the amount of the patient contribution prescribed by Regulation 29 has been maintained at a level equivalent to 87½% of the sum of the current rates of standard age pension and supplementary assistance payable under the Social Services Act 1947. An increase in pension rates with effect from 5 May 1983 has made it necessary to increase the amount of patient contribution from that date in order to maintain this relativity. The
regulations accordingly provide for an increase in the prescribed daily amount from $10.90 to $11.50.
The regulations came into operation on 5 May 1983.