Home care waitlist climbs to 87,500: A Growing Concern

The home care waitlist has grown, but peak body Ageing Australia says the full picture is still not clear as data is over three months old and omits people waiting for an assessment. This increase highlights the urgent need for systemic reforms within the aged care sector, raising questions about accessibility and quality of care for some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

Data published by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing indicates that the number of elderly individuals awaiting a home care package at their designated level has increased to 87,597.

Of those on the waiting list, 38 percent are in New South Wales, while an additional 21 percent are based in Victoria. 

This overall number includes 16,784 individuals who are in the National Priority System for a home care package at their approved level but are currently receiving a lower-level package. 

Home Care Waitlist Grows | Care Finding Service Insights1

Number of people waiting for a HCP at their approved level at 31 March 2025 (Source: Home Care Packages Program Data Report Q3 2024-25) 

In January 2025, Senate hearings revealed a waitlist surpassing 81,000; however, the most recent update showing an increase of only 6,000 does not include those still awaiting assessment and is based on data from the March 2025 quarter. 

The current waitlist is likely to be even more substantial, as the figures are from March 2025. It is also important to recognize that the waitlist for packages does not provide a comprehensive view, as the number of individuals waiting solely for assessment is not published. 

As of 31 March, there are 299,765 individuals accessing a home care package, with 10,284 assigned a Home Care Package (HCP) but who have not yet accepted the offer. The March quarter also saw 18,557 individuals starting a package for the first time. 

The Home care packages program data for the 3^rd Quarter of 2024-2025 shows that there were 39,983 approvals for packages and 35,613 packages released, averaging 2,739 per week. 

The demand for home care services has been progressively increasing due to the aging demographic in Australia. As a larger number of Australians reach retirement age and need assistance with daily living activities, the pressure on current home care resources becomes increasingly clear. The present waitlist not only signifies a lack of available services but also points to potential deficiencies in funding and workforce challenges within the sector. 

For many older Australians, prompt access to home care is vital for sustaining independence and quality of life. Extended wait times can lead to heightened health risks, including hospitalizations or premature transitions to residential aged care facilities—options that many prefer to avoid. Families often find themselves in challenging situations as they manage caregiving responsibilities while awaiting essential support services. 

The growth in home care waitlists not only impacts individuals but also places additional pressure on community resources and healthcare systems. Local organizations are enhancing their efforts to provide interim support solutions; however, these initiatives frequently lack adequate funding or manpower to effectively meet the increasing demands.