Government Removes Key Out-of-Pocket Costs
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) applauds the Australian Government’s decision to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for essential personal care services in the Support at Home programme starting 1 October 2026.
Services such as showering, dressing, and continence management will be reclassified under the program’s clinical care category. This change ensures that older Australians no longer face co-contributions for these vital services.
Samantha Edmonds, OPAN Director of Policy, Education and Systemic Advocacy, commented, “This is good news for older people who have consistently raised concerns with us about the impact on their dignity and wellbeing by having to pay out-of-pocket expenses for essential personal care services.”
The changes are expected to alleviate financial burdens for many older Australians, as they will no longer have to choose between personal care and other necessary expenses.
OPAN has consistently advocated for these services to be covered under clinical care. This reform represents a significant victory in their efforts to improve care for older people.
Further Reforms Urgently Needed
Although OPAN welcomes the reforms, Edmonds highlighted ongoing issues with the Support at Home program, including prolonged wait times for assessments. She emphasised that these changes, although beneficial, do not fully address the broader challenges older Australians face under the current system.
Edmonds stated, “No older person should have to jeopardize personal hygiene due to cost, which is why these changes are so important,” underscoring the necessity for additional reforms, such as implementing price caps to protect older individuals.
OPAN plans to monitor forthcoming government announcements, including the Minister’s National Press Club address and the May budget, to further understand how these protections will be enacted. The advocacy group remains committed to championing the rights of older people, ensuring they receive the necessary care.
Edmonds pointed out that while this reform is a positive development, it does not solve all issues faced by the elderly under this program. She called for more comprehensive solutions to address these persistent problems.
The upcoming May budget and other government announcements are key moments that OPAN will be watching closely to see how they impact the Support at Home program.
