ACSA CEO John Kelly has taken the government to task for its decision to scrap the pre-entry level subsidy.

This is where the aged care provider is paid to keep a bed vacant for an incoming resident for up to 7 days while they make arrangements to move from hospital or from their family home.

With 35 per cent of beds turning over every year, vacant beds cost operators money.

Should the operator give Mrs Smith seven days to transfer or allow Mrs Brown to jump the queue if she can get into the bed five days earlier?

ACSA points out this cost will either have to be passed on to Mrs Smith if she wants the bed held or the operator will have to carry the cost.

“The government has also removed the accommodation supplement, concessional residents supplement, charge exempt resident supplement, accommodation charge top ups supplement, transitional supplement, transitional accommodation supplement and/or hardship supplement (whichever is applicable),” Kelly said.

“This is not the way to look after older Australians."