Australian Government Faces Calls for Certainty on Aged Care Support Programs

A Senate inquiry into the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) found that the Albanese Government has no credible plan for the scheme beyond 1 July 2027, leaving more than 860,000 older Australians at risk of losing essential services such as meals, transport, domestic assistance and social connection. Opposition senators warned that without a clear funding model, especially block‑funding for regional and remote areas, older people could face earlier moves into residential care.

Inspector‑General of Aged Care Natalie Siegel‑Brown told a Senate committee that the Support at Home program could work if its design were recast. She highlighted problems with the current means‑testing and co‑payment system, which makes two people with the same income pay very different amounts based on care needs. Siegel‑Brown called for stronger human oversight of the Integrated Assessment Tool and a simplification of the Assistive Technology Home Modification scheme, arguing that administrative burdens are driving up costs for both the government and seniors.