A growing wave of concern from older Australians has prompted a cross-party push to reform the Support-at-Home program. Led by independent Senator David Pocock, 21 Senators have signed a letter purging the government to address key issues impacting providers and care recipients.
The letter highlights concerns around rising fees, assessment processes, and limited access to full care funding. Among the proposed changes are restoring human oversight in assessments, reviewing the 10% case management fee cap, and clarifying the timeline for price caps. Politicians have also raised concerns about interim funding arrangements, where many participants receive only 60% of their approved support.
With more than 230,000 Australians waiting for care, pressure is mounting for urgent action. Section leaders warn that without meaningful reform, ongoing delays, funding gaps, and system inefficiencies will continue to impact both providers and the older Australians relying on timely support.