The Retirement Living Council (RLC) is calling on the Australian Government to urgently introduce real-time reporting for wait times and release a schedule for additional Home Care Packages, warning older Australians and providers are being left in limbo.
This crucial “double-barrelled recommendation” headlines the RLC’s submission to the Senate inquiry into delays and access to Home Care Packages, as the national waitlist continues to blow out.
The former Acting Inspector-General of Aged Care, Ian Yates AM, noted in his submission that the Government is on track to have record numbers with no access to a Home Care Package compared to those who have been assessed as needing one.
Ian estimates that as of 30 June 2025, there were nearly 94,000 waiting for their correct Package level, with 76,000 having no access to a Package at all
Today (Friday 29 August), the Inquiry holds its first public hearings, at which evidence from submissions will be heard.
RLC Executive Director Daniel Gannon said certainty was critical.
“Every day of uncertainty means that more older Australians are going without the support they’ve already been assessed to receive,” he said.
“Publishing a clear, dated release schedule is a simple, achievable step that lets older Australians know when help is coming, while giving providers time to recruit, roster and stand-up services.”
Government deflects blame
Yesterday (Thursday 28 August), Health, Disability and Ageing Minister Mark Butler defended the decision to delay the release of 83,000 Home Care Packages until 1 November, pointing to workforce shortages.
"There is a natural bottleneck in this scheme because of the availability of workers, as we experience in a whole bunch of areas particularly in health and social care. It is harder to get workers into the home care system because of the nature of the work. It's just not paid as well as some of residential care," the Minister told the ABC.
Call for transparency
Daniel said the Commonwealth must commit to real-time reporting across both Home Care Packages and the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).
“The system is failing the people it’s meant to serve – that’s why the Commonwealth must publish real-time data on wait times by location, by service type, and for every stage of the Home Care Packages and CHSP assessment process, so everyone can see what’s going on,” he said. "We know this type of function exists for hospital and ambulance services in South Australia, so there’s no reason it can’t be adopted for Home Care Packages and CHSP.”
He added that many retirement village residents remain confused by the process, believing they are on a waitlist once issued with a code, when in fact they must contact providers themselves. Others have been assessed for CHSP services but remain without support, as providers close their books or refuse new clients.
“These people deserve clarity while providers must have time to prepare,” Daniel said.
