The ABC’s 7.30 program has put the spotlight on increased consumer contributions under the Government’s new Support at Home scheme, set to begin 1 November 2025.
As The Weekly SOURCE reported in SATURDAY back in July, from 1 November 2025, clients approved for Home Care Packages after 12 September 2024 will be required to contribute up to 15% of their service costs. That co-payment could mean $70 to $210 per week for basics like showering or domestic help.
On Monday, ABC journalist Anne Connolly – whose 2018 ‘Who Cares’ report helped trigger the Aged Care Royal Commission – contrasted the experience of Eileen Taylor, whose current Package will be protected, with that of her husband Doug. Doug faces up to a year’s wait for assessment and potentially another year before his funding arrives – and will then have to pay tthe new fees.
Aged Care Minister Sam Rae, just five months into the job, declined an interview and refused to answer questions from the ABC, offering only a written statement.
Inspector-General raises concerns
Inspector-General of Aged Care Natalie Siegel-Brown did not hold back.
“My concern is with the way we have structured co-payments,” she said. “I believe that it will prejudice those with the lowest income in our society – and that has costs to human rights, fairness and equity.”
Natalie warned that while higher consumer contributions might ease the Budget in the short term, they risk pushing older Australians prematurely into residential care or hospitals – costing the Government more in the long run.
Political backlash
The Greens, who tried unsuccessfully to block the co-payments during debate on the new Aged Care Act last year, renewed their criticism.
Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Greens spokesperson for Older People and chair of the Aged Care Service Delivery Senate Inquiry, said:
“Labor have been keeping older people in the dark about these changes, but it’s becoming clearer by the day that these changes aren’t about improving care – only about propping up private providers’ profits.”
Expect more media scrutiny of home care as the Support at Home start date looms.
