19 Sep 2025
40,000 Aged Care Packages Rolling Out in 2025: What Older Australians Need to Know
If you’ve been following aged care news lately, you’ll know there’s finally some movement on the long home care waitlists. The Australian Government has begun releasing 40,000 aged care packages in 2025 — including 20,000 Home Care Packages now rolling out before 1 November, and and a further 20,000 to be delivered as Support at Home places by the end of the year.
The government has also signalled plans to release a further 43,000 places in the first half of 2026, although that may evolve as reforms progress.
For thousands of older Australians and families waiting for care, these developments mark a welcome shift — and a sign that aged care reform is starting to deliver tangible change.
Why This Matters
This expansion aims to reduce the number of older Australians stuck on long waitlists after being approved for care. For many, it means:
Access to support sooner
Greater independence at home
Relief for families and carers waiting for services to begin
It’s also a step toward more responsive, person-centred care — something providers like Lumia Care are well-positioned to deliver.
The Waitlist Context
These newly released and upcoming packages are intended to ease pressure on the thousands of older Australians already approved for care and waiting to begin receiving support.
According to the most recently available government data (late August 2025), more than 120,000 people were awaiting an aged care assessment. This figure highlights the ongoing backlog, though the actual number may have shifted slightly since then as the system responds to demand and reform.
Individuals must first be assessed and approved before they are eligible to receive in-home care. Reducing this assessment backlog will be essential to improving access across the board.
What Is the Support at Home Program?
Launching on 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program is designed to simplify and strengthen in-home aged care.
It replaces the current Home Care Package system and aims to:
Offer more flexible, needs-based support
Consolidate services into a single, streamlined model
Ensure stronger clinical governance and quality standards
Any new packages released after 1 November will be delivered under this new framework.
What This Means for You or Your Loved Ones
If you've already been approved for a Home Care Package, the current rollout may mean you’ll receive services sooner. And if you're entering the system later this year, your care may begin under the Support at Home model.
At Lumia Care, we’re ready for both — offering high-quality, relationship-based support to help people live well at home, safely and with dignity.
How We Can Help
At Lumia Care, we can support you at any stage of your aged care journey. Whether you’re just starting out and need guidance on how to apply, waiting for an assessment or package, or ready to choose us as your aged care provider, our team can walk you through your options and help you get the right care in place.
To make it even easier, we are currently offering 0% management fees for all new Home Care Package clients who join Lumia Care before 31 October 2025 — meaning you can access our services and pay no package management fees until then.
If you’re ready to explore your options or need support with your next step, give us a call today. We’d be happy to guide you through the process and help you or your loved one get the care you deserve.
Sources
Australian Ageing Agenda: 20,000 Home Care Packages on Their Way
Community Care Review: Are Shorter Waits Ahead for Home Care and Assessments?
ABC News: Waitlists for at-home support for older Australians blow out to more than 120,000
