08 Dec 2025
Aged Care Waitlists: Where Things Stand — and What You Can Do Now
For many older Australians and their families, the process of getting aged care support at home is anything but straightforward.
You might have already reached out to My Aged Care, booked an assessment, or even received your approval. But weeks — or even months — later, you’re still waiting for services to begin. And with each passing day, it becomes harder to manage without help.
The government’s Support at Home Program, launched in November 2025, was designed to streamline the system and get help to people sooner. But even with these reforms now in place, over 200,000 people are still waiting for the care they need. Here’s where things stand — and what you can do now.
What the Latest Figures Show
As of late 2025:
Around 88,000 people have been approved for home care — but are still waiting for services to start
More than 120,000 people are still waiting to be assessed through My Aged Care
That brings the estimated backlog to over 200,000 people — either waiting for assessment, approval, or care to actually begin
These figures reflect what thousands of families are experiencing: delays at every stage of the aged care journey.
And for many, the wait can stretch across months — especially in regions where demand is high or providers are at capacity.
How Long Does It Take?
For many Australians, aged care support doesn’t begin the moment they ask for help — even after recent reforms.
In most areas, the time between contacting My Aged Care and receiving an in-home assessment can stretch to six to eight weeks. Once assessed and approved, the wait for a package depends on urgency. Those with urgent needs may be assigned support within a month, but for many older Australians, particularly those with medium or standard priority, it can take eight to eleven months before any services actually begin.
These delays aren’t just numbers — they represent months of managing without formal support. And because availability varies by region, care level, and provider capacity, these timelines are only estimates, not guarantees.
What Waiting Really Looks Like
Delays in aged care access aren’t just inconvenient — they carry real and growing risks.
Right now, thousands of older Australians are going without the essential help they need. Everyday tasks become harder — and sometimes unsafe — without formal support. Families step in where they can, but the pressure is high, especially for those caring for someone with complex needs. Without early intervention, small issues often become serious health risks.
The ripple effects are now being felt in the broader health system. As of late 2025, more than 2,500 hospital beds across Australia are being occupied by older patients who no longer need acute care — but can’t be discharged. These individuals are medically stable, yet stranded in hospital, waiting for a suitable aged care package or placement to become available. It’s a crisis that affects not just individuals, but hospital capacity and flow across the country.
In recent weeks, we’ve begun to see a small but important shift. For the first time in months, new aged care packages are starting to flow into the community — not just those reassigned due to clients exiting the system or switching providers. It’s the beginning of a long-awaited increase in availability. But for most people still waiting, this trickle won’t be enough — or fast enough — to ease the pressure they’re under right now.
What You Can Do While You Wait
At Lumia Care, we know that your needs don’t stop while you're waiting for government funding. That’s why we offer immediate, flexible support to help you through the gap — and ensure you’re fully prepared when your aged care package is ready to start.
Here are some ways you can get help now:
Get Organised Before Your Package Arrives
You don’t have to wait until your aged care package is approved to get organised. We can help you nominate Lumia as your provider, complete your onboarding, and prepare your care plan — so when your funding arrives, your services can begin immediately with no further delays. New clients also receive 15% off our standard support worker rates, making it easier to get started with confidence. Click here to download our free Home Care Waitlist Guide
Entry-Level Government Help
You may qualify for the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), which offers services like meal delivery, cleaning, and transport. We can help you apply and connect you to what’s available in your area.
Private Home Care
Our private care options can begin immediately — with no lock-in contracts. Whether it’s personal care, domestic help, or nursing after a hospital stay, we’ll tailor support to your needs and budget, and scale it up once your funded care arrives.
Respite for Family Carers
Caring for a loved one at home is rewarding, but also exhausting. Lumia offers in-home respite services so carers can take a break — while we provide reliable support in their absence.
Home Safety Modifications
Simple improvements like grab rails, sensor lights or falls prevention tools can make a big difference while waiting for formal care. We can help assess and organise what’s needed.
Stay Connected and Independent
Social isolation often increases while people wait for care. We offer companionship visits, local outings, and wellbeing support to help keep you active, independent, and engaged.
Need Help Navigating It All?
If you or someone you love is waiting for aged care support, contact Lumia Care today.
We’ll:
Explain the reforms in clear language
Help you sign up and get assessed
Guide you through every step
Provide support now — and prepare you to start your funded care with no delay
Call 1300 796 876 or get in touch online to take the next step with a team who puts people first.
Sources
Aged Care Guide: Over 200,000 Australians waiting for aged care
ABC News: Senate inquiry warns of fatal delays
Australian Government Department of Health – Support at Home Overview
Budget 2024–25 – Aged Care Measures (HCP + Support at Home expansion)
