As of January 2025, more than 81,000 older Australians are waiting for a Home Care Package — a number that reflects a growing and deeply concerning issue across the country.
Behind every number is a person — someone’s parent, grandparent, neighbour — waiting for the care and support that allows them to live safely and comfortably in their own home.
While the Australian Government has committed to rolling out 300,000 new Home Care Packages over the next decade through the Support at Home program, we are concerned this won’t be enough to meet rising demand.
The reality is, many older people are waiting longer than ever — sometimes more than a year — for a package that could significantly improve their quality of life.
The pressure doesn’t just fall on the individuals waiting. Families are often stepping in to fill the gap, taking on caregiving responsibilities that can impact their own wellbeing and livelihoods. More and more, we’re hearing from people in the “sandwich generation,” who are caring for both elderly parents and young children, often with limited support.
We believe every older Australian should have timely access to the care they need. To make this happen, we are advocating for a one-off funding boost from the Federal Government — an estimated $1 to $2 billion — to help clear the current waitlist and ensure no one is left behind.
Older Australians deserve to live with dignity, and that starts with making sure they can get the care they need, when they need it. We know that with the right support, people can remain independent and connected to their communities for longer.
Addressing this issue now, won’t just improve lives — it will also help reduce avoidable hospital admissions and ease the growing strain on the health system.
This call to action is about more than numbers. It’s about creating a future where older Australians feel valued, supported, and cared for — something we all hope for ourselves and our loved ones.
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