The Australian Government has delayed the rollout of 83,000 new Home Care Packages until November 2025, the delays in releasing the 83,000 new Home Care Packages are directly linked to the delay in implementing the Support at Home program. This is extra work and complexity the government would face if it approved and assigned 83,000 Home Care Packages now, only to transition those recipients to the upcoming Support at Home program. The government has opted to delay access altogether, a decision critics argue sacrifices real care needs for bureaucratic simplicity.
87,000 people are already on the waitlist, with predictions it could rise to 100,000. Some face wait times of up to 15 months, increasing health risks and pressure on hospitals and residential care.
After improvement in wait times during the 2022–2024 period, the 2025 delay has reversed progress, bringing waitlists and delays back to 2021–2022 crisis levels, with fears it may worsen before the Support at Home program is implemented
| Year | Waitlist Size (approx.) | Wait Time | Government Action |
| 2021–2022 | ~92,000 (at peak) | Up to 12+ months | Gradual release of packages; commitment to reduce wait times |
| 2023–2024 | ~68,000–75,000 | ~6–9 months (average) | Active rollout of additional packages; reduction in backlog |
| 2025 (current) | 87,000 → projected 100,000 | Up to 15 months | Major delay in new packages until Nov 2025 |
Key points:
- Adjunct Professor Kathy Eager criticised the delay, claiming it’s driven by a desire for “administrative tidyness” rather than genuine care needs.
- The delay leaves 87,000 people already on the waitlist, with predictions this could grow to 100,000 by November 2025.
- Some individuals face wait times of up to 15 months, risking their health, independence, and increasing pressure on hospitals and residential care.
- The government’s 2027 target of 90-day wait times offers no immediate relief.
- Senator David Pocock, with support from the Greens and Coalition, has initiated a Senate inquiry, pressing for release of 20,000 packages in the meantime.
- Senator Penny Allman-Payne raised concerns over growing inequality in access to aged care, warning of a “two-tiered system.”
- The Senate inquiry will report by 15 September 2025.