20,000 additional home care packages — the sector reacts

At a Parliament House press conference on Wednesday, 3 September, Australia’s Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing Mark Butler announced: “There will be 20,000 additional home care packages released between now and the end of October, which is the last time, the last date before the new aged care system comes into effect.

“From the 1st of November, the start date of the new aged care system, until the 31st of December, there will be an additional 20,000 support at home packages put into the system. And in the first six months of next year, the remaining 43,000 of Labor’s support at home packages will be put into the market.”

The announcement followed feedback from providers and campaigning as part of a Senate inquiry — on which, Butler said at the 3 September press conference: “Providers have said over the last little while, including in the Senate inquiry, very recently, that they are able to provide these packages if we put them into the market now; I guess now that they’ve got that opportunity, they need to demonstrate that.

“But look, providers know, the government knows that it is hard to staff all of these services. We’re doing everything we can to support providers in doing this, but that pressure will still be there.”

Here’s some reactions from the sector.

Ageing Australia

The national peak body for aged care, representing providers of retirement living, seniors housing, residential care, home care and community services, Ageing Australia, welcomed the decision, which it said followed calls from the body, older people and providers, and the consistent support of senators from across the political spectrum.

“We congratulate the government on heeding our calls, with so many Australians waiting for care in their own homes,” Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson said. “We give our sincere thanks to Senator Anne Ruston and Senator David Pocock and all sides of politics for their dedication championing the needs of older Australians.

“Providers are ready to act immediately and deliver more packages across Australia. As we heard recently, 98% of members tell us they have the capacity and are ready to go,” Symondson added. “This is the start of the long road to getting people off waitlists and getting the care they need.”

OPAN

The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) also welcomed the news, saying it was a step in the right direction but that there was more work to be done to protect older people. “This is good news especially in advance of the new Aged Care Act commencing on 1 November,” said Samantha Edmonds, OPAN Director of Policy, Education and Systemic Advocacy.

“Inadequate in-home care support can push older people into hospital and prematurely into residential aged care, which is unfair and avoidable,” Edmonds added. “Once an older person has been approved for the appropriate level of in-home support, they typically wait another 12 months to receive it. Untenable delays such as these put older people at significant risk of adverse outcomes. Older people should not have to wait more than 30 days for in home support.

“These delays have an adverse impact on a person’s dignity and wellbeing. We have a shared responsibility to alleviate this challenge,” Edmonds concluded: “Australia has an aging population, and it is crucial that our policies and laws are fit for purpose in 2025 and beyond. Living independently is a top priority for many older people and the government must deliver this.”

National Seniors Australia

Not-for-profit membership and advocacy organisation National Seniors Australia (NSA) also said the announcement was a step in the right direction for older Australians waiting for care. “NSA has been advocating for the immediate release of new packages to help begin the process of reducing the home care waiting list — we are glad to see compassion, care and common sense prevail,” NSA Chief Executive Officer Chris Grice said.

“The release of new packages is recognition that we can’t delay reducing the waitlist. It’s a down payment on providing care and support more quickly to older people who need it,” Grice added. “One of the key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, more than four years ago, was that government should clear the home care waitlist so that older people wait only one month for services. The release of new packages inches us closer to that goal.

“There is a question about what level these packages will be. We hope these are not only Level 1 packages, but include packages for people with higher care needs, particularly those stranded in the hospital system,” Grice said. “The government will still have its work cut out for it to address the tens of thousands of older people waiting for care and waiting to be assessed for care, but the release of 20,000 packages is certainly a start.

“We must remember that it’s not only older people impacted by delays. It’s also loved ones, who provide the support when home care services are not available,” Grice said. “We hope and expect those most in need, including those stuck in hospital, will gain access to these new packages, allowing them to age at home, which is understandably their preference.

“NSA thanks all generous individuals who shared their experiences, whose stories helped to shed light on the difficulties faced by older people waiting for care, and the challenges of the many loved ones supporting them. You have made a difference.”

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AMA submission to inquiry

In its 22 August submission to the Senate Inquiry into Aged Care Service Delivery (published 28 August), the Australian Medical Association said regarding Term of Reference C (“the impacts on aged care service providers, including on their workforce”):

“The delay in the implementation of the new program creates uncertainty for providers and undermines workforce planning. Without additional funding and clear reform timelines, providers will struggle to recruit and retain skilled staff, particularly in home care. Our members also report issues with workforce fatigue, casualisation and regional workforce shortages.

“The AMA notes the government’s efforts to improve the clarity of new provisions in its communications to providers in recent months.”

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Image credit: iStock.com/FG Trade