The Retirement Living Council’s proposed Shared Care model remains on track for a formal trial in early 2026, with the Department of Health, Aged Care and Disability confirming plans to proceed next year.
RLC Executive Director Daniel Gannon told The SOURCE the pilot will allow retirement village residents to pool Home Care Package funding to achieve economies of scale – an idea backed by more than 20 operators eager to participate.
The December 2024 Federal Budget allocated $5.2 million over three years to trial the model, which could ease pressure on the Home Care Package waitlist – now at 87,597 people (as of March 2025).
Examples of Shared Care include funding a village nurse or shared transport service instead of fragmented, individual supports. Operators argue this approach would deliver better care, support broader resident wellness, and reduce cost inefficiencies.