The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety will hold a hearing in Sydney from Monday 14 to 22 September 2020, to inquire into the financing and sustainability of future improvements to the aged care system, the appropriate funding model or models to support the delivery of aged care services, and the prudential regulation of aged care providers.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the public and media can follow proceedings on the live webcast on the Royal Commission website.

Former Prime Minister Paul Keating and former Treasurer Peter Costello will speak about long-term financing reforms that might support Australia's ageing population.

The hearing will include the perspectives of consumer bodies, aged care providers with different scale and operating models, industry analysts, economists, experts in comparative systems, former and current Treasury officials, lenders, and the regulator.

Former Secretary of the Treasury, Dr Ken Henry, AC, will give evidence about the options for reform of the aged care sector and how these intersect with opportunities to support long term financing.

Leading consumer representatives, Ian Yates AM of COTA Australia, Paul Versteege of the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association NSW and Professor John McCallum of National Seniors Australia, will give evidence about the consumer interest in reform of aged care funding and financing, including how the costs of aged care should be shared across the community.

Over the course of the seven day hearing, evidence will be heard about whether the funding available to providers under the current aged care system is properly quantified to support the provision of high quality aged care.

Questions around whether the prudential regulation regime that applies to aged care providers is adequate to ensure the sustainability, stability and transparency of the aged care system will also be asked, and what changes, if any, may need to be made to improve the prudential regulation of aged care services.

Will you be following the proceedings this week? What witnesses are you most interested in hearing from?