National giant Silverchain takes on regional WA operator
Another local government-operated regional home care provider is exiting the sector, as operators grapple with financial sustainability pressures and higher regulatory requirements under Support at Home.
At a closed-door meeting on 17 December 2025, the Shire of Narrogin Council voted to transition Narrogin Regional Homecare Services, and its 130 home care and disability clients, to Not For Profit national home care operator Silverchain.
The decision was triggered by changes to home care under the new Aged Care Act 2024 and the implementation of Support at Home, which came into effect on 1 November 2025.
The Council reportedly took the view that the changes increased the operation’s regulatory, clinical, quality, recruitment, and training risks, and determined the operations could be better managed by an external provider.
Decision follows 2025 EOI
The Shire of Narrogin conducted an Expression of Interest process last year, eventually settling on Silverchain as the new operator.
Silverchain delivers home care under the Commonwealth Home Support Program and Support at Home and has nearly 6,000 employees. The provider services around 140,000 clients annually after acquiring then-private equity-owned Kincare in 2024.
Shire President Leigh Ballard said the decision reflects the Council’s recognition of the need to ensure sustainable, high-quality aged care services for the community into the future.
“This transition is focused on maintaining continuity of care, while ensuring services remain sustainable and responsive to client needs over the long term,” he said.
Renae Lavell, Executive Director of Silverchain Western Australia, said Silverchain was “honoured” to be recommended as the preferred provider of CHSP and Support at Home services in Narrogin, which is located in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt nearly 200km southeast of Perth.
The transition is expected to be complete by 30 June 2026.
Scores of council-0perated home care providers have exited the home care sector in the last three years citing financial and regulatory pressures.
