More than 100,000 older Australians were waiting for federally funded help at home at the end of June as a Senate inquiry examines delays in the Support at Home program.
Federal aged-care data cited by ABC News shows 107,000 people on the waiting list. The figure excludes people receiving interim assistance while they wait, and the average wait for access to a package was about 10 months.
More than 4,800 people died during 2024–25 while waiting for approved home-care funding. Advocates appearing before the inquiry argue that temporary extra assistance is needed so people can obtain essential equipment and personal support sooner.
The program is intended to help older Australians remain independent at home through services and assistive technology. The Aged Care Department has previously said wait times were falling, while the inquiry continues to hear evidence about cases in which help arrived too late.
Source: ABC North Queensland, updated 22 September 2026.
Image disclosure: The featured image is an AI-generated editorial illustration of a generic home, lift chair and mobility aid. It does not depict any person, family, home or equipment described in the reporting.
