Aged care providers are sounding the alarm over the looming rollout of the Support at Home program, slated to commence on 1 July 2025. Despite promises of streamlined, person-centred in-home care, sector representatives warn that the implementation is far from ready and risks creating chaos for providers and vulnerable older Australians.
In an open letter to newly appointed Minister for Aged Care Sam Rae, aged care consultancy Invox claims providers are facing a policy-driven disaster, outlining urgent concerns that included unfinished rules, uncertain pricing, and IT systems that are still under development. ‘Providers are being asked to fly a plane that hasn’t been built yet,’ the letter states. Read it in full here.
The reform is intended to unify in-home care under a single framework, but providers say they are being asked to finalise service agreements, retrain staff, and update systems based on draft rules that could still change.
Invox is suggesting that the new Aged Care Minister needs to make a decision immediately on whether to proceed with starting the Support at Home Program on 1 July.
“To avoid a catastrophic failure, we are calling on the government to stagger the start of Support at Home. To do so would not represent a failure, but rather a common sense decision.”
Paul Sadler, Invox
The letter also highlights financial viability concerns, pointing to a 10% cap on care management fees and inconsistent guidance on billing practices. Adding to the uncertainty, the digital payment system, crucial to the program’s rollout, is yet to be finalised or tested.
Invox recommends urgent actions, including a staggered rollout (also recommended by Ageing Australia), a public implementation timeline, and a national communication campaign to reduce confusion.
