Another warning sign in regional home care
“As a small, island-based charity, MI Care recognised that the new Support at Home reforms would require compliance and administrative systems that could not be sustained with our existing resources.”
Magnetic Island’s oldest aged care provider has announced it will withdraw from home care services, citing the compliance and administrative load of the Support at Home reforms.
Magnetic Island (MI) Community Care – an island-based Not For Profit operating for 28 years near Townsville, Queensland – confirmed its Home Care Packages and Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) services will now be delivered by mainland-based Not For Profit operators COMLINK Australia and Southern Cross Care QLD.
A staged withdrawal from home care
In October, MI Community Care announced a strategic partnership with COMLINK to take over delivery of its Home Care Packages. The following month, it confirmed the “difficult decision” to also exit CHSP, with COMLINK and Southern Cross Care QLD stepping in.
MI Community Care said increased regulatory demands were a key driver.
“As a small, island-based charity, MI Care recognised that the new Support at Home reforms would require compliance and administrative systems that could not be sustained with our existing resources. After careful consideration, the Management Committee determined that withdrawal from aged care service delivery was the most responsible course of action.”
An internal review identified “significant compliance breaches” requiring corrective action that would affect future funding. The organisation said the decision was made in consultation with the Department of Health and Aged Care, EY’s Aged Care Business and Workforce Advisory Service, and its accountants and auditors.
A growing regional need
More than 800 residents aged over 65 live on Magnetic Island; that number is forecast to exceed 1,000 by 2030.
Scores of CHSP operators – who collectively support over 800,000 older Australians with low-level services – have exited the sector in recent years. Others are expected to reconsider their futures as CHSP is folded into Support at Home after 1 July 2027.
