Vote could mean major change for in-home care in Geelong

IN-HOME community care in the City of Greater Geelong could be in for a shake up, with the council to vote on whether the city will continue to provide key services.

Councillors will vote on Thursday this week, following a recommendation from city officers to transition all in-home community care clients across the municipality to specialist local providers.

It comes after an independent review into the aged care reforms introduced by the federal government in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

The newly-created Support at Home program features changes to rights, access, funding, home support, quality standards and regulation.

It will replace the Home Care Package Program – starting from July 1, 2025 – and the Commonwealth Home Support Program, which will transition no earlier than 2027.

The city, which has already sounded out aged care providers, stated it engaged independent consultants to conduct a review.

It found specialist aged care providers were well placed to provide the best quality client service, with Greater Geelong benefiting from a strong and well-serviced market.

But the proposal has received backlash, with an Australian Services Union (ASU) online petition that highlighted job cuts and fears for clients gaining hundreds of signatures.

“The City of Greater Geelong has announced that they intend to cut up to 300 jobs and will no longer provide vital aged care services to vulnerable, elderly residents in the region,” the petition stated.

“The council’s community care workers provide older Geelong residents with the services they need to help them to live safely and comfortably at home.”

ASU will hold a rally tomorrow at Wurriki Nyal Civic Precinct (Tuesday, April 8) at 5pm in response to proposed cuts.

ASU member and former Geelong councillor Sarah Hathway said councillors would be inside at a final briefing during the rally.

The ASU has also demanded the council delays Thursday’s meeting to give workers a fair opportunity to be consulted, and said it had filed an application to the Fair Work Commission.

In a statement, Mayor Stretch Kontelj said “it must be highlighted that Greater Geelong is one of only 11 out of 79 local councils across the state still providing this service”.

The city’s chief executive Ali Wastie said the aim of the transition was to ensure the community was provided with the best possible service.

“We feel that specialised aged care providers who make this their core business will provide the best standard of care going into the future.

“We are committed to guiding our staff and clients through any transition, but cannot pre-empt how council will respond to our recommendation.”

The city stated a range of services for older residents would continue to be provided, including grants for senior activities, facilities such as senior centres and neighbourhood houses, sports infrastructure, library funding, seniors week activities, advocacy against elder abuse, and promoting positive ageing.