Government announces immediate release of 20,000 additional Home Care Packages

The Federal Government’s decision to immediately fund 20,000 additional Home Care Packages represents meaningful progress for older Australians and their families who have been waiting for essential support services.

Health Minister Mark Butler confirmed today that 20,000 packages will be released between now and 31 October, with an additional 20,000 packages available from 1 November through December. The remaining 43,000 packages from the originally promised 83,000 will roll out in the first half of 2026.

The announcement addresses critical waitlist pressures, with current Department of Health figures revealing over 121,000 Australians waiting for assessment and an additional 87,000 approved candidates awaiting service delivery.

Dovida’s Chief Operating Officer Greg Bartley welcomed the government’s response to parliamentary and sector pressure.

“This announcement, whilst welcome, highlights the scale of the challenge we’re facing. Every day of delay means vulnerable older Australians are at risk of preventable falls, hospital admissions, or premature entry into residential care.

“While we applaud the government’s decision to fast-track 20,000 Home Care Packages, this represents just a fraction of what’s needed to address Australia’s aged care crisis.

Bartley emphasised Dovida’s readiness to respond immediately to increased demand whilst encouraging further acceleration of the rollout.

“Our sector has demonstrated readiness and capacity to deliver these essential services immediately. We encourage the government to consider accelerating the rollout of the remaining packages to help address the urgent need facing Australian families.”

The package release occurs alongside the upcoming Support at Home program implementation, creating expanded opportunities for Australians seeking to remain safely in their own homes with appropriate support.

“While we understand the complexities of implementing large-scale reforms, we believe there’s an opportunity to bring forward more of the promised 83,000 packages to benefit those currently waiting. Every day matters when it comes to preserving and nurturing the lives of older Australians,” Bartley concluded.