The Australian government’s upcoming Support at Home program promises a more sustainable home care system, but has providers worried about unintended consequences, especially for smaller organisations already stretched thin.
Nick McDonald, CEO of Prestige Inhome Care, warns that shifting from government-funded claims to direct consumer billing could hit small providers hard.
“There’s still a real ethos amongst older Australians that care should be free,” McDonald says. “Many believe that after paying taxes all their lives, aged care should be covered.”
Affordability is another flashpoint. If costs rise too sharply, some older Australians may forgo formal care altogether — or turn to an unregulated ‘black market’. “If people can’t afford care through registered providers, they might pay support workers under the table, leading to unsafe arrangements,” McDonald cautions.
He’s calling for practical solutions: market-driven pricing to keep rates fair and sustainable, higher funding ceilings for complex needs, and better support for family carers who save the government billions each year. McDonald also floats a bold idea — a dedicated Medicare levy for home care. “Why not introduce a similar mechanism for home care to stabilise the sector?”
Above all, he urges clear communication from government. “Providers are being left to explain the system, which makes us the ‘bad guys’ when clients push back on costs.”
As the rollout nears, all eyes are on whether policymakers can balance sustainability with choice and fairness — so smaller providers aren’t left behind.
Originally published in Hello Leaders winter print edition. Read the full article here or contact us on [email protected] to order your print copy.
