With Australia’s aging population and the preference for most people to receive care at home, the increasing pressure on Australia’s at home care system is well understood. Last week we reported on growing concerns about long waiting times for aged care home care packages. This has seen many Australians experience lengthy delays in accessing support. Now, following mounting political pressure, the government has responded. They have made a commitment to speed up the delivery of these vital services. The move comes amid increasing scrutiny of the aged care system and demands from both families and advocacy groups for faster action.
So how has the government responded, and what has been the reaction?
How has the government responded?
Following pressure from parliament, the government will immediately fund 20,000 additional home care packages. They have also pledged to roll out an additional 43,000 packages in the first half of next year. The Coalition, Greens and Independents had joined forces to demand the government provide earlier access to additional home care packages. It comes after the government delayed the release of additional home care packages alongside other aged care reforms from July to November. That decision came despite the waiting list for home care packages growing from 87,000 in March to 108,000 in July. There are also 120,000 people waiting to be assessed for a home care package. Australia’s population is aging and the preference for most people is to receive care at home. Therefore, there are concerns this will only grow without urgent action.
What has been the reaction?
Those in the aged care industry have welcomed the government’s decision to release more packages. They say the extra packages will go mostly to people who have been waiting months, often in desperate circumstances.
Tom Symondson is the chief executive of Aging Australia. He emphasised the need for a continued supply of more home care packages in the future to meet growing demands.
“We know that the number of people requiring home care is going to massively expand over the next 10 and 20 years,” he told the ABC.
Independent Aged Care expert Ian Yates has declared that funding for at home help must be increased. This is to ensure that once the waiting list has cleared, it does not re-occur.
“It’s very important that the government review its budget provision in light of the numbers confirmed on the waitlist,” Mr Yates told the ABC.
Industry leaders also point out that while additional funding is welcome, the success of these measures will rely heavily on workforce capacity. Providers face ongoing difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff, particularly in regional and rural areas. Without a larger pipeline of trained workers, the sector risks falling back into crisis even as more packages are released.
This highlights the importance of career pathways into aged care and the value of professionals who are committed to supporting older Australians to live independently at home. The sector also requires ongoing investment in training, education and career development to ensure workers are equipped with the right skills.
While the government’s commitment is a positive step, the aged care sector continues to face significant challenges. Demand for services growing and reforms are still in progress. As a result, there is an urgent need for skilled professionals to help deliver quality care and support. This growing demand also creates opportunities for those considering a career in aged care.
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Article References
Mansfield, E (4 September 2025) ‘Extra aged care packages ‘a good start’, national peak body says’, ABC News, accessed 8 September 2025
Mansfield, E (3 September 2025) ‘Labor bows to pressure on home care packages and agrees to fund extra 20,000 immediately’, ABC News, accessed 8 September 2025.