Waiting for care, losing independence: what’s going wrong with home support in Australia?
Thousands of older Australians are facing dangerously long wait times for government-funded home care, with some waiting over a year for essential support — and others dying before help arrives. As aged care reforms lag behind rising demand, advocates warn that urgent action is needed to protect seniors’ dignity, health, and ability to age safely at home.
Many older Australians who want to age in their own homes are facing distressingly long wait times for government-supported home care packages. In one case, a 93-year-old woman was approved for the highest-level home care package but told it could take six to nine months before services arrived. “Well, that’s not much use to me because I’m going to be dead by then,” she told the ABC News – and tragically, within a few months she was. Her story underscores a growing crisis: seniors in need of help now often wait months or even years for essential in-home support, with some dying before help comes.
A growing backlog in home care support
The demand for home care far outstrips supply, creating a national backlog of tens of thousands of older people awaiting assistance. As of early 2025, about 80,000 older Australians are on the waitlist for Home Care Packages. Latest data show an average wait of around 7 months for a package to be assigned – up from 6 months only a quarter earlier. For those with higher care needs, the delays are even longer. A senior assessed for a Level 4 (high needs) package with “medium” priority can expect to wait over a year (often 12–15 months) actually to receive those services.
There were 81,000+ people in the queue by January 2025, and despite government efforts to release additional care packages, advocates warn it is nowhere near enough to meet the surging demand. Australia’s rapidly ageing population has simply overwhelmed the capped number of packages available, a problem the current system was not designed to handle.
This backlog has been worsening. Just two years ago, wait times had briefly improved – in February 2023, average waits dropped to around 1–3 months. But since then, delays have blown out again. “The latest data shows people applying for a Home Care Package could be waiting up to 15 months before they receive a package at the level they need,” says Chris Grice, CEO of National Seniors Australia, calling the situation “appalling”.
In one extreme case, an 86-year-old South Australian man in chronic pain applied for voluntary assisted dying during his prolonged wait for care, illustrating the human toll of these delays.
The human cost of delayed care
For those waiting, time is not on their side. Many elderly people’s conditions deteriorate while they languish on the list, risking falls, malnutrition, or hospitalisation without adequate support. Advocates say the delays often lead to premature entry into nursing homes, undermining the whole point of home care.
“The longer that they wait, the higher the chances are of further deterioration in their health… and premature entry into residential aged care,” said MP Helen Haines, warning of the cumulative risks.
Others never make it to the top of the queue. “People are dying on the waitlist,” Senator David Pocock bluntly noted in June, pressing for faster action. He and other crossbench MPs have argued there’s “no reason” to delay approved funding when it’s already been budgeted.
Reforms in progress – but delayed and unequal?
The federal government has acknowledged the problem and initiated aged care reforms, including a new “Support at Home” program meant to unify and streamline services. Originally scheduled for July 2025, the launch was delayed to November 2025 to ensure a smoother rollout. Officials say this is to allow providers time to adjust – but critics argue the delay could worsen the backlog without interim measures.
MP Haines warned: “The longer that they wait [to roll out support], the bigger the backlog will grow.”
The new system also includes controversial funding changes. While it asks wealthier seniors to pay more, advocates like Tracey Burton, CEO of Uniting NSW.ACT, worry it could disadvantage low-income pensioners. Burton cautioned that providers might favor clients who can afford higher daily fees – creating a two-tier system that undermines equity in aged care access.
“Equitable access for poorer Australians remains an unmet promise,” she said, calling for subsidy increases to avoid locking out the most vulnerable.
How to plan ahead and get care at home
For older Australians and families, the reality of wait times means proactive planning is essential. Here’s how to stay ahead:
1. Start early
Begin by contacting My Aged Care for an ACAT assessment, which determines your eligibility and care level. This can take up to 6 weeks, so the sooner you apply, the better.
2. Be thorough during the Assessment
Clearly explain your medical and daily living challenges. If your needs are urgent, request high priority. If you disagree with the outcome, you can request a review or appeal. You can also ask for reassessment if your condition worsens.
3. Use interim support
Explore the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) for short-term services while you wait. Mention CHSP during your ACAT assessment to determine eligibility. Also look into local council or community programs, such as meal delivery or transportation services.
4. Consider private options
If affordable, consider private care providers to fill the gap temporarily. These services are not subsidised but can offer critical support during long wait periods.
5. Stay informed
Track your place on the waiting list through My Aged Care or by phone. Use this time to research home care providers, and prepare to start services quickly when your package is released.
6. Connect with advocates
Reach out to groups like the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) or National Seniors Australia to raise concerns and find additional guidance or support.
7. Use the Aged Care Guide to find a provider
Once your home care package is approved—or even while you’re waiting—it’s important to research and compare local providers. The Aged Care Guide is a free, user-friendly tool that helps you find and compare government-approved home care services in your area. You can search by location, service type, and provider ratings to find a good match for your needs.
Tip: Start shortlisting providers early, so you’re ready to choose one and start care as soon as your package becomes available.
A push for urgent action
The goal of ageing at home with dignity is widely shared. While reforms like the Support at Home program aim to deliver this promise, implementation delays and structural inequities remain serious barriers.
The government has set a target to reduce wait times to under 3 months by mid-2027. But achieving this requires urgent investment and accountability now – not two years down the track.
Until then, thousands of older Australians continue navigating a system that often leaves them waiting in discomfort, and in some cases, without hope. Their voices – and those of their families and advocates – are key to pushing change forward.
