A
geing Australia has warned the Federal Government’s latest aged care funding package falls well short of what is needed to address growing demand for home and community care services across the country.
The warning follows the government’s announcement of an additional $389.8 million for the Support at Home program in the 2026-27 Federal Budget.
The funding includes measures to bring forward new packages, extend End-of-Life Pathway funding, support a review of the Integrated Assessment Tool and digitise the financial hardship assistance process.
While Ageing Australia welcomed several elements of the package, the organisation said the funding would not significantly reduce wait times for older Australians seeking care at home.
CEO Tom Symondson said the scale of unmet demand was becoming increasingly serious.
“This is fast approaching a national emergency. At last count, more than 200,000 older Australians were either waiting for a Support at Home package or waiting just to be assessed,” Symondson said.
“This funding clearly won’t meet increased demand over the next 12 months, let alone clear the backlog.”
He warned delays in access to care could increase the risk of hospitalisation and poorer health outcomes for older Australians waiting for support.
“This creates a real risk to those older people who are waiting for care and increases the chances they will experience poor outcomes or hospitalisation while they wait to get to the front of the queue,” he said.
Ageing Australia also expressed concern over the lack of additional funding for the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), which currently provides care to more than 840,000 older Australians.
The organisation said the system was already operating at full capacity and warned pressure on community care services would continue to grow without further investment.
“We’ve been clear that providers have the capacity to care for more older Australians at home, but we can’t do that without more packages. It’s heartbreaking for providers to be forced to turn older people away who are begging for help,” Symondson said.
He said helping older Australians remain in their homes was critical to preserving independence and reducing pressure across the broader healthcare system.
“Enabling older Australians to remain in their own homes is a fundamental part of maintaining their independence and their dignity. It also has a flow on effect to the entire health system and takes pressure off growing wait lists for residential aged care, which is now effectively full,” he said.
The organisation said it was also awaiting the outcome of the Senate Inquiry into the Commonwealth Home Support Program and had continued advocating for stronger investment in community-based aged care services.
“We already know that people across the country are struggling to get the care they need in the community, and this puts even further pressure on Support at Home and residential care capacity,” Symondson said.
The Budget’s aged care measures are expected to remain under scrutiny as demand for home support services continues to rise alongside Australia’s ageing population.
Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.
Follow The Indian Sun on X | Instagram | Facebook
Support Independent Community Journalism
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun exists for one reason: to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard.
We report on local councils, state politics, small businesses and cultural festivals. We focus on the Indian diaspora and the wider multicultural community with care, balance and accountability. We publish in print and online, send regular newsletters and produce video content. We also run media training programs to help community organisations share their own stories.
We operate independently.
Community journalism does not have the backing of large media corporations. Advertising revenue fluctuates. Platform algorithms change. Costs continue to rise. Yet the need for credible, grounded reporting in a multicultural Australia has never been greater.
When you support The Indian Sun, you support:
• Independent reporting on issues affecting migrant communities
• Coverage of local and state decisions that shape daily life
• A platform for small businesses and community groups
• Media training that builds skills within the community
• Journalism accountable to readers
We cannot cover everything, but we work to cover what matters.
If you value thoughtful reporting that reflects Australia’s diversity, we invite you to contribute. Every donation helps us maintain the quality and consistency of our work.
Please consider making a contribution today.
Thank you for your support.
The Indian Sun Team
