South Australia spends $123 million caring for patients stuck in hospitals awaiting aged care beds
The South Australian government spent more than $123 million last financial year on patients who were medically cleared for discharge but remained in hospital because no aged-care beds were available.
In the 2025-26 financial year, South Australia incurred $123.7 million in expenses for patients who were ready to leave hospital but were held back by a lack of aged-care placements, according to data presented in parliament. There were 487 seniors waiting for a residential bed, a sharp rise from 60 in late 2022, and each day of delayed discharge cost the system $1,318 on average. Health Minister Blair Boyer described the situation as a crisis and urged the federal health minister to increase assistance, noting a state-run $250 million interest-free loan scheme aimed at adding 650 new beds.
Federal officials pointed to a $47 billion aged-care budget, recent expansions of Support at Home packages, and capital grants that include $140 million for South Australian projects. Experts warned that prolonged hospital stays worsen health outcomes and contribute to ambulance ramping, further straining the health system.
Why it matters
Hospital beds occupied by seniors awaiting aged-care placements drive up costs and reduce capacity for other patients.
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