The Australian Government is returning to the timeframe put forward by the Royal Commission to deliver a reformed and improved in-home aged care program by 1 July 2024. This represents an extension from July 2023.
No one will lose any in-home aged care services they currently have in place through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme or the Home Care Packages Program.
We will develop a better in-home aged care system in consultation with older Australians and community stakeholders.
Where we’re up to
We recognise the importance of listening to aged care stakeholders. Feedback from older Australians and service providers on the previous government’s Support at Home proposal indicated that the model was too inflexible for the needs of older Australians. People told us that they need a greater ability to adjust services when their circumstances change. A number of service providers also raised concerns the proposed funding model could have unintended consequences, particularly for group-based aged care services, like community transport and social support.
The Department will use the extra time now available to work with older Australians, their families and carers, workers, advocates and providers to ensure reforms achieve a better in-home aged care system. Older Australians will be central to this consultation and the Department will release more information in the near future on how older Australians can participate.
The Government will also be making improvements to in-home aged care for older Australians while the design of a new program progresses. This includes capping administration and management charges under the Home Care Packages Program and improving access to Goods, Equipment and Assistive Technology.
More details on
