Aged care advocates have raised concerns that upcoming changes to the at-home care sector could force older Australians to pay higher fees, potentially leading them to forgo essential services.
From 1st of November people accessing Support at Home will continue to receive clinical care—including nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, continence support, and nutrition—at no cost. However, non-clinical support such as cleaning, shopping, showering, and other daily living assistance will incur new fees based on the participant’s income.
Individuals already on a Home Care Package will be exempt from the new rates and will continue paying the same flat fee.
Liz Barton, 76, who recently required home assistance after her husband Eric suffered a stroke, highlighted the sudden challenges of ageing. “You think that ageing will be a slow process, but in fact it can be quite abrupt due to a sudden health issue,” she said. Barton now needs help with cleaning and other household support but may face long waits for government-assisted care while paying higher fees.
Advocates warn that the changes could have serious health impacts on vulnerable older Australians. “They will end up doing without medication, without showers, and without necessary supports because they simply won’t have the money,” Barton said.
Under the new system, pensioners will pay five percent of the full cost for independence-based services such as showering, transport, self-administered medication, and home safety modifications. Part-time pensioners will pay between five and fifty percent, while self-funded retirees will pay fifty percent. For daily living assistance like cleaning, shopping, meal preparation, gardening, and home maintenance, pensioners will pay 17.5 percent, self-funded retirees 80 percent, and part-time pensioners a rate in between.
Greens spokesperson for older people, Penny Allman-Payne, described the changes as “a tsunami of co-payments about to rain down on older people” and warned of catastrophic consequences for those unable to access necessary care.
Aged Care Minister Sam Rae defended the reforms, stating they will help older Australians “get the support they need to stay at home for longer.” However, shadow health minister Anne Ruston called the comments “a cruel hoax,” criticizing the government for failing to properly inform the public about the impact of the changes.
