Sam Rae has served as Minister for Aged Care and Seniors for the past eight weeks.
Aged Care and Seniors Minister Sam Rae has confirmed that the new Aged Care Act and Support at Home program will officially commence on 1 November 2025 without further delays.
Speaking in a radio interview with ABC Melbourne Drive, Mr Rae acknowledged the earlier postponement but stressed the importance of moving forward. “We will not be delaying the implementation of the Act again or the introduction of Support at Home,” he said.
The minister addressed growing concerns about long wait times for Home Care Packages. While over 81,000 older Australians remain in the queue, Mr Rae emphasised that high-priority individuals still receive services within a month. The introduction of Support at Home is expected to ease the backlog by adding 83,000 new packages designed to better meet individual needs.
A Senate inquiry could soon investigate the Albanese Government’s decision to delay releasing 20,000 additional Home Care Packages, despite over 87,000 older Australians currently stuck on the waitlist. Independent ACT Senator David Pocock has called for the inquiry following the Government’s refusal to release these packages before the new Support at Home program starts on 1 November. Pocock argues that withholding support has a “huge human cost,” leaving vulnerable seniors in hospitals longer, forcing others into residential care prematurely, or leaving them struggling at home without necessary assistance. The proposed inquiry will examine the full impact of the delay on seniors, carers, hospitals, and the aged care workforce, with findings due by mid-October.
Under new means testing arrangements, care-related services will be fully covered, while independence and everyday living services may require contributions of up to 50–80%.
Mr Rae also defended the aged care Star Ratings system, noting that most facilities now receive 4 or 5 stars. While acknowledging its complexity, he affirmed his commitment to improving transparency and quality in aged care.
As the sector prepares for this significant shift, CareVision continues to support providers in navigating the transition. Our platform is purpose-built to help organisations align with upcoming reforms and deliver better outcomes for older Australians.
Need help preparing for Support at Home? Reach out to the CareVision team today.