If you only skim the headlines, asking older Australians to chip in for everyday home support looks like a political minefield. Lift the hood, though: the taxpayer base is shrinking and – critically – many younger Australians are saying, in effect, “suck it up.”

The introduction of increased consumer contributions from 1 November isn’t about abandoning people who can’t pay. It’s about a fair split: taxpayer funding for clinical care, and targeted, means-based contributions for non-clinical supports – with safety nets that actually work.

A quick scan of a popular seniors’ platform shows how poorly understood Support at Home remains just a week out from the new system – how it operates and who now pays:

Comment 1: My provider says I have to approve