Respect Welcomes Release of 20,000 New Home Care Packages

Respect welcomes the Federal Government’s decision to release 20,000 new home care packages to help older Australians stay independent at home and reduce long wait times. 

Earlier this week the Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler confirmed the release after strong calls from the aged care sector to address the backlog. Right now, more than 87,000 people in Australia are waiting for home care.

This issue is especially relevant in regional and rural Australia, where access to timely home care is often more limited and the consequences can be far more severe. 

This is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done. Long delays mean many older people approved for higher levels of care are waiting up to 11 months before they get the support they need. That can leave them without essential services during a critical time in their lives. 

What this means for older Australians

For many older people, staying in their home safely and independently is their top priority. Home care provides older Australians with a familiar and comfortable environment while allowing them to maintain their structure and independence in their own community and close to loved ones.   

Home care packages offer tailored support like personal care, help around the house, transport, allied health and clinical services. These services help people stay connected to their communities and allow them to live with confidence, while reducing the risk of illness and hospitalisation. 

The release of more packages will ease some pressure, but bigger challenges remain. When in-home support is not available, older people often end up in hospital or move into residential care earlier than they need to. That’s not fair, and it’s not necessary. 

Respect’s commitment to home care

At Respect, we believe older people deserve timely, high-quality care that supports their wellbeing and independence. Our home care services are built to deliver the right support when and where it’s needed. 

We welcome the government’s announcement and stand with others in the sector to call for a system that gives older Australians access to home care without long delays or uncertainty.

If you have any questions or would like further support, please reach out to our care at home advisors or call us on 1300 144 144 and choose “home care” as a service option.