Aged care workers forgo shifts due to soaring petrol prices
The peak body for aged care providers has welcomed the Government's decisions to cut the fuel excise by 26 cents a litre and remove road user charges – but said more support is needed.
The fuel crisis caused by the war in the Middle East sent the average retail petrol price to $253.4 cents per litre in the week ending 29 March 2026 – causing economic havoc, including for aged care operators and workers.
In residential aged care, “workers aren’t taking up shifts just because they can’t afford the petrol to get there” – particularly in remote and regional areas, said Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson.
Older Australians receiving care at home are also being impacted. They rely on providers to deliver food and care to them at home. “Quite simply aged care workers can’t deliver care if they can’t afford the petrol to get to work,” he said.
Home care operators, many already operating under financial pressure, are being forced to consider increasing their per-kilometre rate to remain viable during the fuel crisis. Higher costs means Support at Home packages won't stretch as far, LNP Senator Anne Ruston said in parliament last week.
The Daily Telegraph has reported that soaring fuel prices are crippling aged care workers, with some threatening to quit as costs outstrip their pay.
Services under strain
Meals on Wheels Australia, which delivers affordable meals to older people at home, has revealed the rising cost of fuel and its unavailability in some areas is already impacting services around the nation.
More support needed for aged care
The Government’s decisions on the fuel excise and road user charges are welcome, Tom said, but more support for aged care workers is needed, including:
- prioritised access to fuel for aged care providers and workers,
- exemptions from rationing measures if imposed, and
- targeted financial support for providers and their workers to manage the huge increase in fuel costs.
If pumps run dry, older Australians “won’t get the care they need,” Tom warned.
