URGENT UPDATE: The Australian government has just announced a significant change in aged care policy, rolling out 20,000 home care packages ahead of schedule due to overwhelming pressure. Aged Care Minister Sam Rae confirmed that these packages, originally set to begin in November, will now be available between September and October 2023.
This decision comes as the number of older Australians on the aged care waitlist remains alarmingly high. “I don’t want to see people sitting on the national priority system without aged care,” Rae stated during an interview on Sky News. The urgency of the situation has prompted the government to act swiftly, aiming to address the needs of those waiting for assistance.
The early rollout follows a period of political pressure from the opposition and crossbench members who highlighted the critical need for immediate action. Despite initial claims that budgetary constraints led to delays, Rae insists that the focus is on the pressing demand for aged care services. “The point is the number is too high, from my perspective. It’s why this reform program is so important,” he emphasized.
Originally scheduled for a July 2023 rollout, the aged care reforms faced delays due to concerns from the sector about their ability to meet the demand. However, Rae expressed confidence that providers can rise to the challenge. “They’ve now told us, particularly over the last week, that they believe they can meet an additional demand,” he said, highlighting a bipartisan agreement with the opposition to expedite the process.
In addition to the 20,000 packages, the remaining 43,000 places are planned for rollout in the first half of 2026. This expansion is crucial, as many aged care patients currently occupy hospital beds that they could leave if proper care facilities were available. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns addressed this issue, stating, “We’ve got a lot of aged care patients in our hospitals that could be discharged this afternoon, but there’s nowhere for them to go.”
The implications of this urgent announcement are profound, as it aims to alleviate the pressures faced by hospitals and provide necessary support to older Australians. The swift actions taken by the government reflect a growing recognition of the crisis within the aged care system and a commitment to reform.
As these developments unfold, the focus will remain on ensuring that the newly expedited packages can be effectively implemented to meet the needs of vulnerable populations. Stakeholders are urged to stay informed on how these changes will impact the delivery of aged care services across Australia.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
