The waitlist for older Australians needing home care has surged to 76,000 as of September 30, 2024, a Senate Inquiry into the Aged Care Bill 2024 revealed. This marks a 12% increase from May 2024, when 68,000 people were on the list.
At the hearing, officials from the Department of Health and Aged Care faced questions about delays. The current average wait for Home Care Packages is 5.5 months, with Level 3 packages taking up to 12 months. Minister Anika Wells has pledged to reduce wait times to three months by July 2027, but critics argue progress is too slow.
Most people on the waitlist receive some support through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). However, in regions like Canberra, assessment waits can stretch to 82 days, with some facing delays of over 18 months to receive full care.
The Senate Inquiry, which began in late 2024 and received over 100 submissions, is expected to release its final report soon.