The head of Australia's peak body for aged care providers has told The SOURCE the challenge ahead for providers implementing Support at Home reforms is "immense" and more time is needed to roll out the changes.
"The timelines are so tight they border on the impossible," Tom said.
“With only months to prepare, providers need to overhaul entire systems, replacing complex ICT infrastructure. And yet all of the information to complete this process is still not available.
“Without more time, we’re likely to see confusion for both older people and providers.
"As a member of the Government’s Transition Taskforce, we at Ageing Australia are advocating for practical and achievable solutions.”
Reforms needed to reduce waiting times
Tom said workforce shortages are often cited as the reason more Home Care Packages (HCP) can't be released, causing the waiting list to blow out, but he said Ageing Australia's experience suggests otherwise.
"Although not universal in every part of Australia, many of our members tell us there is workforce capacity to care for more older Australians. However, providers can’t employ workers to deliver packages that don’t exist."
A July 2024 Ageing Australia survey showed 73% of home care providers surveyed had the capacity to accept new clients if more Packages were available. This correlates with comments made by Yvonne Timson, CEO of WA home care provider Community Vision, to The SOURCE last week.
Ageing Australia had advocated for the Federal Government for $1.8 billion to release 55,000 Home Care Packages in the MYEFO 2024-25 (approximately $33,000 per Package), but only 7,615 additional Packages were promised in addition to the 24,100 announced in the previous May Budget.
The Government has also committed to releasing 83,000 Packages in 2025-26, and 24,000 in 2026-27.
Former Inspector-General of Aged Care Ian Yates AM wrote on The Weekly SOURCE's LinkedIn page on 1 March the Government is unlikely to meet its self-imposed targets of having a three month average wait time to receive home care by 1 July 2027, labelling the waiting time to receive a HCP an "absolute disgrace".
