Australia’s home care waitlist is on track to hit a staggering 130,000 people by 1 November, returning the system to the peak crisis levels seen before the Royal Commission into Aged Care.

That’s the stark warning from Ian Yates AM, the former Interim Inspector-General of Aged Care, who says the Federal Government’s decision not to release any new Home Care Packages until the new Support at Home (SAH) program begins in November will leave tens of thousands of older Australians waiting – and deteriorating – without support.

“The latest official figures are 83,000 on 31 December 2024, with official wait times of 9 to 12 months for Levels 1, 2 and 3, and 12 to 15 months for Level 4,” Ian told SATURDAY.

“If the Government persists, as announced, in not releas