Support at Home leaving older people without care: Inspector-General of Aged Care
The Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care (OIGAC) has restated its concern that demand for home care services continues to exceed available supply.
The OIGAC concerns were first detailed in its 218-page 2025 Progress Report on the Implementation of the Aged Care Royal Commission Recommendations, which was published last year in October.
This week, the OIGAC listed the following concerns:
- Demand continues to exceed available home care packages
- People assessed as having higher care needs often wait 9-12 months for services to start
- Prolonged wait times can contribute to avoidable deterioration, hospitalisation and premature entry into residential aged care
- There are serious risks co-payments for non-clinical care could see people forego essential care
- Hardship provisions are confusing and difficult to navigate.
The OIGAC also noted Support at Home is not in line with the Aged Care Royal Commission recommendation that a "single consolidated aged care program" be developed.
You can read last year's Progress Report here.
Late last year, in December, the OIGAC also published its 104-page My Aged Care Review, the Office's first review. In it, Inspector-General of Aged Care, Natalie Siegel-Brown delivered a critical assessment of the Government’s aged care 'front door', finding "the system fails before care even begins".
Natalie appeared in SATURDAY in December, urging Australia to redesign the aged care system around prevention, home care and 'ordinary' housing, including retirement villages.
Natalie will be speaking at our 2026 LEADERS SUMMIT being held in Sydney on 24–25 March 2026. Book your seat here.
