Home Care

Home care is increasing in popularity for older Australians as an alternative to residential care. This is because you can choose where to live – either at home or in a retirement community or perhaps with the kids – and the care you need will come to you.

But with popularity comes some downsides – demand for home care packages exceeds the number that have been made available. Once you are approved for a package, you will go on the waiting list until funding becomes available. This could be a wait of 12 months or longer.

About 277,000 older Australians receive help through a home care package, with around 33,000 packages released in the September 2024 quarter. Most people waiting are receiving CHSP services, so they have access to some support while waiting.

Population impact

Australia’s population is projected to increase to more than 38 million by 2060 (from approximately 25.8 million today) which will place greater strain on transport, infrastructure, housing, education, health and aged care services (including both home and residential aged care).

The population will also age significantly over this time which means more people will likely need to access health and aged care services. The number of people aged 75 years and over is projected to increase by about 4 million between 2012 and 2060.

The need for more aged care services, the desire of people to remain in their own homes, and people living longer creates challenges for the aged care industry.

In-home care may enable people to remain living in their homes as long as possible by allowing them more choice, control and easier access to a range of services that can be tailored to their specific needs.

Access to care at home may help delay or even negate the need to move into residential aged care but it generally requires you to have good family/friend support networks in the home to provide ongoing support.

Government subsidised home care services are offered through two programs:

• Commonwealth Home Support Program (basic care) – CHSP

• Home care packages (basic to high level care) – HCP

You also have the option to purchase privately funded services.

Knowing your options and having a strategy for managing living at home financially and with support services can benefit you or your loved one to maximise their independence. Reach out to see how we can help you today.

Bill Savellis

Senior Financial Adviser

Having navigated the Aged Care landscape for both of his parents, Bill understands how challenging it can be to make the right decisions for your future care needs. That's why he believes that everyone should have access to financial advice during this time. Bill has been a Financial Adviser for over 22 years, and is passionate about helping others access the financial advice they need. Drawing from his own experience in the financial sector, Bill develops strategic, personalised plans to support transitions to Aged Care or Home Care.

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Disclaimer: Prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information in this article, Olive Grove Financial Advice recommends that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances. Information in this article was correct and current as of 2 July 2025. Olive Grove Financial Advice is operated by Bill Savellis through The Financial Advisor (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 72 619 546 431, who is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 1278394) of Havana Financial Services Pty Ltd.