A new report by the Productivity Commission has found the median wait time to access home care services has almost doubled to 245 days over the last financial year. Advocates warn the growing delays are leaving many older Australians without the essential support they need to live safely and independently at home. This places increasing pressure on families and unpaid carers.
The findings have sparked renewed calls for urgent government action. It comes as wait times for both assessments and services continue to climb across the country.
So, what challenges does the sector currently face — and how has the government responded?
What issues has the report uncovered?
The time it takes for older Australians to be assessed for home care has increased by 22 per cent over the past year, with the median wait time rising from 22 days to 27 days. The report found this increase has contributed directly to longer delays in accessing services once people are approved.
In extreme cases, some people were waiting up to 380 days to receive care. As of October 31 last year, 113,150 people were waiting for an aged care assessment. Meanwhile, 107,281 had already been approved for care but were still waiting for services to commence.
The cost of services has also emerged as a growing concern. The report revealed that prices for many services have increased significantly over the past year. For example, some people have seen the cost of physiotherapy rise from $120 to $210 an hour. Others report being forced to cancel services altogether because they are no longer affordable.
Aged care advocates say the rising costs of aged care are forcing some older Australians to make difficult choices. For example, some must choose between essential supports, such as personal care and meal assistance. They are calling on the government to urgently intervene to prevent vulnerable people from going without basic care.
How has the government responded?
The government says much of the data in the report predates the aged care reforms it has introduced. This includes a new single assessment system that came into effect at the start of 2025.
Government figures show the median wait time for home support assessments fell by seven days between the June and September quarters last year.
Over the same period, median comprehensive assessment wait times dropped by eight days, with the overall median falling by 23 days.
“We know there’s always more work to do, and we’ll continue to focus on bringing down wait times further so that every older Australian can access the care they need, as soon as they need it,” a spokeswoman for Aged Care Minister Sam Rae said.
Last year, the government also released an additional 20,000 home care packages following concerns about hospital bed blockages. A further 63,000 packages are expected to be rolled out before the end of the current financial year.
With demand for aged care services continuing to grow, there has never been a greater need for skilled workers across home care and community services. Aged care workforce shortages are placing sustained pressure on the system. Therefore, providers are increasingly seeking qualified and committed staff to meet rising demand.
For jobseekers, this is translating into strong employment opportunities. This is especially for those with relevant experience and well-prepared applications that clearly demonstrate their skills and suitability for care roles.
Are you looking for a new career?
Aged Care Resumes can help. We offer a range of professional services, including resume writing and selection criteria writing. We help you present your experience clearly and confidently in today’s aged care job market.
Article References
Cross, J (29 January 2026) ‘Older Australians waiting 380 days for approved services as sorry state of aged care sector revealed’, Herald Sun, accessed 30 January 2026.
Smith, M (29 January 2026) ‘Wait time for aged care services blows out to 245 days’, Financial Review, accessed 30 January 2026.