An inquiry into aged care service delivery primarily focused on understanding the magnitude, causes and impacts of the wait times for the Australian Government's Home Care Packages (HCPs). It examines the implications of the Australian Government’s decision to delay the commencement of the new Support at Home program until 1 November 2025 while also withholding the release of any additional HCPs. More broadly, the committee also explored the feasibility and adequacy of the systems put in place to deliver the aged care reforms on time, and to achieve the promised reduction in wait times for HCPs to three months by July 2027. 

Waiting for care has devastating consequences for older people. The longer people go without the supports they need, the higher the risk of hospitalisation and earlier entry into residential care. With the implementation of the new Aged Care Act and the Australian Government’s commitment that by July 2027 no one will wait more than 90 days for a package, there is an urgent need to fully understand and address the causes of delays. Care cannot wait.

This report presents the key findings of the committee and makes 11 recommendations aimed at ensuring the implementation of the reforms is timely, effective, monitored and periodically reviewed.

Key recommendations

• The Australian Government release all 83,000 packages promised prior to the 2025 federal election, before 30 June 2026.
• The Australian Government make provision for additional Support at Home packages as a matter of urgency.
• The Australian Government work towards ending the rationing of care packages in a timeframe that is consistent with the sector’s capacity to deliver the additional packages.
• The Inspector-General of Aged Care to consider conducting an urgent review into the operation of the Single Assessment System.
• The Australian Government should consider the adequacy of daily living supports delivered through the at-home aged care system for older Australians living with a disability, in comparison with those delivered through the National Disability Insurance Scheme.