As Senators questioned Ian Yates AM, Acting Inspector-General of Aged Care, about demand-driven home care in Budget Estimates last week, a shocking figure was revealed.
Thea Connolly, First Assistant Secretary Home and Residential with the Department of Health and Aged Care, said 3,383 older Australians had died waiting for their correct level of Home Care Package to come through in 2023-24.
"That's a very similar number to previous years and a lower number than 21-22, for example, when the number was 5,334," she said.
The Acting Inspector-General has communicated his concern several times the aged care reforms in the current Aged Care Bill do not reflect the recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety that the supply of aged care services in Australia be driven by demand, as opposed to the current system which is rationed, particularly as the reforms relate to home care.
"The primary rationale that we have been able to find for rationing, that is, capping aged care, in particular home care, could constitute a threat to budget integrity," Mr Yates said.
The Acting Inspector-General stressed home care is not like the NDIS, where costs did blow out, because aged care is means tested, the levels of support are capped, and generally people only use aged care services for a relatively short period. Having an older person with home care can also prevent them from entering higher cost residential aged care.
There are currently 76,000 older Australians on the National Priority Waiting List, the name given to the waiting list for older Australians waiting to receive their recommended level of home care. That number was only 28,665 at 30 June 2023.
