As of 31 December 2023, there were 51,044 older Australians waiting for a Home Care Package at their assessed level of need, a 35% increase - or 13,150 more people - than at the same time a year prior.
The new data, revealed in the Home Care Packages Program Data Report Q2 2023-24, also showed that wait times have remained at 12 months. Wait times are longest for $39,000 Level 3 Packages for 'intermediate care needs'.
The demand for Home Care Packages is stronger than expected, Tim Hicks, Executive General Manager Policy & Advocacy at Bolton Clarke, told The SOURCE.
"Overall demand (people in a package plus people waiting) is 2.5% or 7,000 people more than I would have expected," Tim said.
"This seems to be because fewer people are exiting from existing HCPs.
"Meanwhile the number of new packages being released has fallen from 40,000 per year in FY22 and FY23 to 9,500 in FY24 so the queue is growing again, and by EOFY it will be even longer than it was in December.
40,000 new Packages needed
The Government must address the shortage of Home Care Packages in the upcoming federal Budget, Tim said.
"40,000 packages in FY25 should be enough to meet increased demand and get the queue moving in the right direction again.
"That then buys us some time for the implementation of new assessment processes and funding mechanisms that may help better manage demand and supply in the medium term."
The report also highlighted consolidation in the home care sector, with 34 fewer home care providers at the end of the year, a 4% decrease on the previous corresponding period.
You can read the report here.
