National Cabinet Must Address Labor's Aged Care Shame
Report on Government Services data released by the Productivity Commission today shows the callousness of Labor's aged care policies, with older Australians now waiting on average 245 days to start receiving home care services once approved, up from 118 days the year before.
In some cases, the data revealed the wait is up to 380 days. Many older people die before they receive the care they have been assessed as needing.
The wait list is a consequence of the government's policy to 'ration' care - meaning releasing fewer home care packages than the demand for care calls for. This runs directly contrary to the Aged Care Royal Commission, which recommended home care should operate as an entitlement, rather than the government releasing a fixed number of packages each year.
The Greens say today's National Cabinet is a chance for Labor to commit to end the rationing of aged care, which is also blowing out hospital costs and leaving around 3,000 older Australians stuck in hospital beds who are not sick, they are only waiting on care to become available.
In Senate Estimates in December, the Department of Health and Ageing revealed that as of 31 October 2025, there were 266,352 people waiting for aged care. This includes 113,150 people waiting for an aged care needs assessment, 107,281 people on the National Priority System waiting for a package at their approved level, and an additional 45,921 people waiting for a simple assessment for the Community Home Support Program.
As put by Greens Spokesperson for Older People, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:
"This is a national shame. Eight months is far too long for someone in their 80s or 90s to have to wait for help."
"The shortage of aged care is the direct and intended consequence of Labor's decision to 'ration' care through the limited release of home care packages."
"Older Australians are dying waiting up to a year or more for care, and the major parties would rather fund nuclear submarines and handouts for big corporations than make sure our parents and grandparents are looked after in those final stages of life."
"In a wealthy country like ours, our parents and grandparents should be able to get the care they need at the time that they need it."
"Over 3000 older Australians are stuck in hospital beds right now because there's no help at home available to them. It's no way to spend your final years if you can help it."
"The Greens call on Labor to end their policy of waitlists and use today's National Cabinet to commit to end the rationing of aged care.
https://greens.org.au/news/media-release/national-cabinet-must-address-labors-aged-care-shame
View Original | AusPol.co Disclaimer