Huge changes to the Support at Home program spark praise from older Aussies and advocates

Key points:

• Capped gardening and cleaning services in the Support at Home program were scrapped recently, ensuring older Aussies get the help they need to remain independent at home
• While Older Persons Advocacy Network representatives praised the removal of the capped services, co-payments could cause ‘further pressure’ on older Australians
• The Aged Care Guide can help you find gardening and maintenance services in your area and support you with relevant information about the New Aged Care Act

Eligible older Australians will be able to access more than 18 hours of gardening and 52 hours of cleaning services due to recently announced changes in the Support at Home program.

The Australian Government will remove capping for cleaning and gardening services to ensure older Australians receive appropriate support in their homes.

Older Persons Advocacy Network Director of Policy and Systemic Advocacy Samantha Edmonds suggested that the removal of maintenance caps will be well received by older Australians in the Support at Home program.

“Older people have told us countless times that a cap of 52 hours per annum on cleaning and 18 hours per annum on gardening is woefully inadequate,” she said.

“If you are an older person with continence issues, one hour of cleaning a week is simply not enough to keep your home at a hygienic standard. Older people may also require additional gardening for safety reasons, such as fire hazard reduction.”

Cleaning a two-bedroom house takes an average of two to three hours when completed on a regular basis, but this doesn’t include deeper cleaning jobs such as oven cleaning or washing clothes. 

Although the amount of time required to maintain your garden depends on factors such as garden size, plant types and the season, it’s recommended that your garden is tended to at least once a fortnight. 

Casual gardening and landscaping employees must be employed for a minimum of three hours, meaning an older person could possibly only have a gardener six times a year under the previously capped restrictions.

The Aged Care Guide can help you find gardening and maintenance services near you. 

Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells highlighted that the feedback of older Australians was one of the driving factors that influenced the changes to the Support at Home program.

“[…] Older Australians want greater flexibility in the aged care they receive,” she said.

“We are listening to the voices of older Australians to make sure we build an aged care system they can trust.”

The Australian Government estimates that approximately 1.4 million Australians will benefit from the new Support at Home program by 2035.

Minister Wells emphasised how the cap-free gardening and cleaning assistance in the Support at Home program will help older Australians.

“Cap-free cleaning and gardening services will enable older Australians to live safely and comfortably in their own homes,” she said.

“Our Consumer Confidence Protections reflect these expectations and highlight how we are putting the rights and needs of older people front and centre as part of the aged care reforms.”

Learn more about what’s happening and when in the new Aged Care Act to ensure you stay informed about changes expected in July 2025.

However, the Older Persons Advocacy Network has raised concerns about the current expectation that older Australians should contribute financially, at least in part, to their personal care.

Ms Edmonds commented that older Australians may be negatively impacted by the additional costs and how this could further strain the Australian healthcare system.

“We clearly said in our submission to the Aged Care Bill 2024 that no fees should be charged for personal or respite care,” she said.

“When older people avoid these services due to cost, it impacts their health and wellbeing and results in further pressure on the healthcare system when they need more advanced care.

“If the government does not remove co-contribution payments, there should be caps to ensure that cost does not present a barrier to accessing these important services.

“We look forward to working further with the government to ensure the voice of older people is heard and understood.”

What are your thoughts on co-payments for older Australians’ personal care?

Let the team at Talking Aged Care know on social media. 

For more information and news in the aged care industry, subscribe to our free newsletter. 

Relevant content:

Could seniors be the next batch of driving students?

More Australians are calling advocacy services for help with aged care concerns

What are my medication management options in Australia?