End the Wait: Demand Faster Access to Home Care Packages

The Hon [Minister’s Full Name]
Minister for Aged Care
Parliament House
Canberra, ACT 2600

Dear Minister [Minister’s Last Name],

Re: Urgent Need to Reduce Home Care Package Wait Times

I am writing to you on behalf of [Your Organization Name] and the thousands of Australians who have signed our petition calling for urgent action to reduce wait times for Home Care Packages.

As you know, recent data shows that as of April 2025, older Australians approved for Home Care Packages face the following estimated wait times:

• Level 1: 6–9 months

• Level 2: 6–9 months

• Level 3: 9–12 months

• Level 4: 12–15 months

These delays have left over 81,000 older Australians waiting for essential in-home care services, with some facing waits exceeding a year. For many, this means struggling without the basic support needed to live safely and independently at home.

While we appreciate the government’s plans to introduce the Support at Home program from 1 July 2025 with the aim of reducing average wait times to three months by mid-2027, this timeline leaves thousands of vulnerable Australians at risk for the next two years.

We urge you to take immediate steps to:

• Increase funding for Home Care Packages to reduce the current backlog.

• Streamline the assessment process to ensure faster approvals for those in urgent need.

• Strengthen workforce support to improve service delivery and reduce staff shortages.

Older Australians deserve to live with dignity and support in their own homes. We believe this is a matter of basic fairness and respect.

Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. We welcome the opportunity to discuss this further and work together toward a more responsive and compassionate aged care system.

Yours sincerely,

The Vocal Minority