More than 200,000 older Australians are waiting for critical home care services, sparking urgent calls for the federal government to accelerate the release of aged care packages.
The figure, revealed during a Senate Inquiry into aged care services on Friday, has prompted Ageing Australia to warn of a looming crisis for seniors who want to remain in their homes but cannot access the support they need.
“We are alarmed to discover that the number of older Australians waiting for crucial aged care in their own homes is far higher than previously thought,” said Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson.
Symondson said providers consistently report they have the workforce and capacity to deliver care to more people, but are hamstrung by the limited number of government-subsidised packages.
“We must urgently address the growing waiting list, both those awaiting a package and the substantial number of people who are waiting to get an assessment,” he said.
The peak body has renewed its call for the immediate release of 20,000 home care packages before 1 November. It also wants the government to frontload the 83,000 packages scheduled for release later this year, to begin tackling the backlog.
“Older Australians need to know that when they seek care, it will be available to them.”
Tom Symondson
The revelations come as Australia’s ageing population places unprecedented pressure on the aged care system, with demand for in-home services growing rapidly.
Industry groups and providers are warning that without decisive action, waiting times will lengthen, health outcomes will deteriorate, and families will shoulder an even heavier burden in caring for loved ones.
