A new national dataset has revealed critical “care deserts” across Australia, exposing regions where older people and those living with disability face limited access to essential services.
Released by home care provider HomeCaring, the Geography of Care maps the number of aged care, home care and NDIS providers in every local government area (LGA), cross-referenced with population density. It is the first comprehensive national snapshot of where services are falling short, and where demand is rising fastest.
The findings come as the federal government prepares to roll out the new Support at Home program and conducts reviews of the NDIS. They underline concerns that reform must focus not only on structure but also on equitable access.
While inner-city residents benefit from a concentration of providers, outer suburbs and regional centres are being left behind. Some LGAs have up to ten times fewer providers per capita than others, leaving thousands at risk of delayed, inadequate or inaccessible care.
HomeCaring Head of Customer, Mitch McBeath, said the dataset crystallises what many families already know.
“People in care deserts are waiting longer, travelling further and facing concerning delays for services, while fast-growing regions are being left behind before they’ve even caught up,” he said.
Among the most alarming findings:
- Kwinana (WA) has just 0.19 aged care providers per 10,000 people – one of the lowest in the nation.
- Wanneroo (WA) has the lowest home care provider density, with just 0.09 per 10,000 people, despite projected population growth.
- Adelaide ranks among the top 10 worst aged care deserts, despite its metropolitan status and ageing population.
- Byron, Ballina and Lismore (NSW), home to 173,000 people combined, are major NDIS deserts with overstretched service networks.
- Fast-growing areas like Palmerston (NT), Blacktown (NSW) and Melton (VIC) are among the most underserved in both aged care and NDIS.
- Unincorporated ACT has the lowest NDIS provider access of any LGA with more than 20,000 people.
At a state level, New South Wales carries the greatest burden of NDIS deserts, accounting for 60 per cent of the most underserved LGAs, while Western Australia tops the list for aged care deserts at 35.6 per cent.
HomeCaring obtained the data through a Freedom of Information request to the Department of Social Services, matched with ABS census figures. The provider is urging policymakers to adopt localised, data-led planning to ensure services reach communities most in need.
“This data gives us a clear national picture of where action is needed most – and a tool to guide smarter investments, stronger planning and better outcomes for people who rely on care.”
Mitch McBeath, Head of Customer, HomeCaring
The full dataset is publicly accessible via the Geography of Care tool at homecaring.com.au/geography-of-care.
