‘Support at Home’ ad sparks criticism for painting an unrealistic picture
The Government’s ‘Support at Home’ ad claims help is “there when you need it” — but long waits, high fees and funding delays tell a different story. Learn the facts and how to find aged care services that work for you.
Source: Still from the Australian Dept of Health, Disability and Ageing Support at Home Advert
A new promotional video for the Australian Government’s Support at Home programme has been met with scepticism from older Australians and industry advocates.
The ad assures viewers that “the support you need to stay at home is there when you need it”. For anyone who has tried to navigate aged care recently, that’s a bold claim — and one many say is simply not true.
The reality is that accessing aged care support is rarely instant. Even once you’ve made the call to My Aged Care, there can be weeks before an assessment, followed by months of waiting for a funding package to be approved. For some, the delay stretches so long that their needs change before services even begin.
1. A Promise that doesn’t line up with reality
Critics argue that the campaign risks creating unrealistic expectations for older Australians and their families. When you’re still waiting for your funding to be approved, you’re not out there browsing providers or signing up for services. The focus is simply on getting through the application process and hoping you won’t need to struggle without support in the meantime.
This is a period of uncertainty that can be stressful and isolating. Without clear communication about timeframes, some people are left feeling like they’ve been forgotten in the system.
2. Service costs could force people out of their homes
Under the new Support at Home programme, funding will range from $11,000 to $78,000 annually, depending on assessed needs. Clinical care will remain free, but ‘Independence’ services may require up to a 50% co-payment. Basic ‘Everyday Living’ services such as cleaning, shopping or transport could cost as much as 80% out of pocket.
Advocates warn these co-payments will be simply unaffordable for many pensioners, leading to gaps in care or forcing people to turn to family members for help. In more serious cases, it could result in avoidable hospital admissions or moves into residential aged care.
3. A system on the brink
There is growing concern that the Support at Home model is heading towards a breaking point. The combination of long delays, higher consumer costs and rigid funding categories could see more people missing out on the kind of early, preventative help that keeps them healthy and independent.
The irony, some say, is that the government’s own system could end up increasing demand for costly hospital and residential care — the very thing it claims to be trying to avoid.
The message from the ad might be reassuring, but the lived experience for many older Australians is far less straightforward. Before you pin your hopes on an easy process, prepare for possible delays and understand the true costs involved.
Once your funding is confirmed, it’s worth using a tool like the Aged Care Guide to research what’s available in your area. You can search by suburb or postcode, filter by the type of support you need and compare providers side by side. This gives you a clear picture of what’s actually on offer — and lets you start making informed choices as soon as the green light comes through.
