Home care service faces fresh scrutiny

Borough of Queenscliffe chief executive Jane Grover told councillors this week the review was underway as part of preparations for the transition to the Support at Home program in 2027. Photo: James Taylor.

JUST five years after deciding to retain its aged care services, the Borough of Queenscliffe is again reviewing whether it can continue providing in-home care under sweeping federal reforms to the sector.

The review comes ahead of the full rollout of the federal government’s new Support at Home program in July 2027, which will introduce new funding arrangements, compliance requirements and regulatory obligations for providers.

The move follows similar debates across Victoria as councils assess whether they can continue delivering aged care services under the new framework.

Last year, the City of Greater Geelong abandoned plans to transfer its in-home care clients to specialist providers after a strong community campaign to retain the service.

The Support at Home program aims to improve access to services, equipment and home modifications to help older Australians remain independent for longer.

The federal government says the reforms place the rights of older people at the centre of the aged care system.

The changes stem from the new Aged Care Act, which came into effect in November last year and has already prompted several councils to transfer their in-home care services to specialist providers amid concerns about rising costs and increased regulatory obligations.

The borough first reviewed its aged care services in 2021, commissioning an independent consultant and surveying service users about the future of the program.

Although the consultant concluded the borough’s ability to provide a competitive service was “limited and not sustainable” and recommended a transition out of in-home care, councillors voted to continue delivering the service.

They also resolved to revisit the issue once reforms arising from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety had been implemented.

This week, a borough spokesperson said the changes to the Aged Care Act imposed significantly different obligations on providers, making a fresh review necessary.

“The council needs to conduct due diligence to fully understand the higher compliance requirements, stronger clinical obligations, new funding models and mandatory reporting requirements,” the spokesperson said.