An average of 17 older Australians died each day last year waiting for home care

In 2025-26, an average of 17 older Australians passed away each day while waiting to receive home care, a 34% rise from the previous year, according to official figures. This figure, published by the health department, indicates that 6,436 people approved for Support at Home were in the queue for funding and died in 2025-26. However, the figures are not directly comparable due to the transition from the previous National Priority System to the current one.

The Opposition accused the federal government of being uncooperative, failing to comply with two Senate orders to provide the figures. The Opposition leader accused the government of trying to hide the data, emphasizing that every older Australian and their family should have access to transparency regarding the state of aged care.

The Council on the Ageing Australia CEO, Patricia Sparrow, described the figures as an "absolute tragedy," highlighting the insufficient number of packages in the system and the need for prompt allocation. She emphasized that delays in receiving home care can lead to hospitalizations or earlier transitions to residential aged care for older people. Sparrow emphasized the importance of respecting older individuals and not pressuring them into seeking assistance only when absolutely necessary.

The waitlist, known as the Support At Home priority system, determines funding allocation for older people in need. As of June 30, over 106,000 Australians were on the waiting list for Support at Home. Four Corners revealed that the actual number of people waiting for full aged care funding at home was approximately 154,000 in August.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged that the state of aged care in Australia was unacceptable after a report revealed patients were waiting an average of a year for services. The federal government faced criticism for its handling of the report, which was reportedly dropped quietly during budget-lock up.

A Senate inquiry into aged care services heard from families of individuals who died while waiting for support, including a Hobart man with Parkinson's and cancer who waited over 12 months before receiving a home care package. Independent Senator David Pocock described the data as shocking but unsurprising, criticizing the government for repeatedly dismissing and deflecting from the issue.

Aged Care Minister Sam Rae defended the government's response, stating that the death rate among those waiting for Support at Home was significantly lower than the general older Australian population. Rae acknowledged the need for improvement and noted that the government had delivered 83,000 additional home care places in 2025-26, with more still to come this year.