New Aged Care Act
MS Australia welcomes the decision to delay the introduction of the new Aged Care Act to 1 November to ensure that providers, care recipients and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing are appropriately prepared.
However, there are currently more than 80,000 Australians waiting for a home care package at their approved level, with wait times of up to 12 months. Under the aged care reforms 83,000 new Home Care packages were due to be rolled out from 1 July 2025 and this has now been postponed until November
We join with the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) and Independent Members and Senators in calling for the government to release an additional 20,000 home care packages now. This will ensure that wait times do not blow out further and that the government can stay on track to match their commitment to reduce wait times under the new Support at Home Program to 3 months from 1 July by 2027
Aged care for older people with disability
We also call on the government to improve the aged care system to better meet the needs of older people with disability as per the recommendations of the Aged Care Royal Commission and the NDIS Review.
The current aged care system does not cater to the needs of older Australians living with disability, especially those with fluctuating or episodic disability or health conditions. Older Australians with disability now make up the majority of the aged population and their needs are profound and complex. They require access to disability-specific supports to meet these needs.
The prevalence of MS and the life expectancy and average age of people living with MS have increased significantly during the last two decades. Along with improvements in MS diagnosis, more effected treatments and understanding of environmental exposures, this has led to an increasing number of older people living with MS.
It is critical that the new aged care system can meet the needs of older people with MS. People should have access to disability specific supports, regardless of their age and be supported to maintain their independence and remain in the accommodation of their choice.
MS Australia is calling for the following action for people living with disability aged over 65:
- Improve the aged care system to ensure equity for older people living with disability as per recommendation 72 of the Aged Care Royal Commission.
- Allow them to access supports in both the NDIS and the aged care system as per Action 2.11 of the NDIS Review.
- Review the levels of funding available under the new Support at Home Program so that:
- Funding levels are increased to match the levels of funding available under the NDIS, OR
- Allow care recipients to top up their aged care funding with supports funded through the NDIS.
- Ensure the new Support at Home Program service list includes disability specific supports that allow people to maintain independence and have choice and control.
- Ensure that the new Foundational Supports program includes supports for older people living with disability.
If older people with disability do not have timely access to the funding and services that they need this will lead to quicker disease/disability progression, increased hospitalisation and burden on the health system, loss of independence and choice and early entry to residential aged care.
We need action now to ensure that older Australians with disability get the care and support they need and are valued and respected members of the community.
