Latest figures reveal a strong increase in the number of home care packages available to senior Australians as the Morrison Government continues to deliver on its commitment to help the elderly stay in their homes longer.
The Home Care Packages Program Data Report (1st Quarter 2019 -20) shows nearly 135,000 senior Australians now have access to home care – an increase of 30 per cent in the 12 months to 30 September.
In all, the number of people waiting for a home care package has fallen 11 per cent in 12 months.
Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck said the results were another promising step toward reducing wait times and improving lives.
“We know that most people want to stay at home for as long as possible,” Minister Colbeck said.
“The latest figures show the huge changes we have made to give people this option.
“The Australian Government has put a high priority on creating more home care services for elderly people, to help them to continue living in their own homes.”
The figures reveal 48,100 home care packages were released in the three months to 30 September.
Additionally, almost 98 per cent of all people who were waiting for a package at their approved level had already been offered a lower level package or had been approved to access support through the Commonwealth Home Support Program.
Last month the Prime Minister committed more than $496 million for an additional 10,000 home care packages.
These additional packages are already being rolled out, with priority to level three and level four packages which give a high level of care.
It brings the Government’s total number of additional home care packages to 44,000 since the 18-19 Budget, at a cost of $2.7 billion.
The Home Care Packages Program Data Report can be viewed on the GEN website.
