West Wimmera Council, located on the border of Victoria and South Australia, which spans nearly 10,000kmsq, has announced it will no longer deliver home care services due to the incoming Department of Health and Aged Care's Support at Home reforms.

Only about one quarter of Victoria's local councils are estimated to still be delivering in-home care with dozens exiting in the last 12 to 24 months.  

A statement from West Wimmera Council said the incoming reforms will require providers to meet new benchmarks relating to clinical, governance, and quality standards. The Council said they have told the Federal Government they would like the local West Wimmera Health Service, which offers home care, to deliver aged care services throughout the region, and to employ their home care staff.

West Wimmera Shire Council Mayor Tim Meyer said, “West Wimmera Shire Council is one of the last remaining Victorian councils delivering aged care services.

“Council does not have the ability to comply with the new clinical and governance requirements which have now been mandated by the Commonwealth."

Last week, we reported the City of Greater Geelong's decision to exit home care was paused following union-backed protests. Earlier this month, NSW's Eurobodalla Council announced it is getting out of home care after 30 years.