The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) welcomes the announcement by the Albanese Government that older people on the Support at Home aged care program will no longer pay out-of-pocket costs for help with showering, dressing and support with continence management.
OPAN Director Policy, Education and Systemic Advocacy Samantha Edmonds said it is good news for older people who have consistently raised concerns about the impact on their dignity and wellbeing by having to pay out-of-pocket expenses for essential personal care services.
The change means these essential personal care services will move into the program’s clinical care category, fully removing co-contributions. The changes take effect from 1 October 2026.
‘OPAN has long and consistently called for these services to be covered by clinical care under Support at Home. We welcome this reform and the significant difference it will make to the lives of older people,’ Ms Edmonds said.
‘No older person should have to jeopardise personal hygiene due to cost, which is why these changes are so important.’
While it is a welcome step, it does not address other significant issues older people are facing under Support at Home, including long wait times for assessment.
‘We will be looking closely at upcoming announcements, including the Minister’s National Press Club address and the May budget, to understand how protections for older people – such as price caps – will operate in practice,’ Ms Edmonds said.
‘OPAN will continue to champion and advocate the rights of older people to ensure they receive the care they need.’
Read the full media release.