As I write this on Anzac Day, I find myself reflecting on the courage and sacrifice of all those who have served with deep gratitude. I think of my Dad, a WWII veteran, and the brave young men and women serving now, including one of my family. We owe them, and the generations they protect, an aged care system that treats all Australians with dignity and respect.
Last week, Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler announced changes to aged care. The numbers he shared are a stark wake-up call:
“In the 4 years from 2012 the net increase in Australians aged 80 and older was just 70,000 across 4 years, over the coming 4 years that number will be more than 300,000. Four times the growth we saw a little more than a decade ago.”
Minister Butler stated a new aged care home would need to open every three days for the next 20 years! While the government’s commitment to deliver an additional 5,000 beds a year is a step in the right direction, it is a drop in the ocean compared to the “demographic cliff” we are fast approaching.
There is no doubt that the aged care system requires a significant injection of funds. While it is heartening to see the Albanese Government pledge additional support, the source of some of this funding is concerning.
By reducing the private healthcare rebate for Australians over 65 years to match the levels paid by everyone else, the government is delivering another blow to older people already struggling to stay afloat. Minister Butler estimates that 60,000 older Australians will be forced to drop their private health cover as a result. This is not just a financial hit for seniors; it adds further pressure to our state public hospital systems.
On the home care front, we have seen a small but vital win. After sustained public pressure, the government has finally moved to make the Support at Home Program more affordable for some essential services.
From October 1, 2026, showering, continence care, and dressing support services will attract zero contribution from older people as these services will be re-categorised as clinical care. This is an outstanding outcome.
Industry advocates have long warned that if these services attract a contribution, older people may have to forgo them as they cannot afford it.
Let’s be clear: missing showers, skipping continence care, or dressing support is not just a matter of discomfort; it is a clinical risk. It can lead to infections, skin breakdowns, falls, and hospitalisations.
While we can celebrate that common sense has finally prevailed, this fix should have been part of the program from its inception. Instead, the change will not take effect until October 1, 2026 – five months from now and nearly a year after the program began.
There will be no reimbursements for those who have already paid contributions or those who will be forced to continue paying until October.
We are asking our most vulnerable to endure another five months of financial hardship due to a known program failure. Choosing meals over showers.
If the government admits this was a mistake, why wait?
This policy shift is a testament to the power of advocacy. Let’s continue to work together to ensure every Australian can age with the comfort, respect, and dignity they deserve.
This article by Julia McCarthy appeared in the May 2026 edition of Village Voice.