companion-home-care

The 2026 Federal Budget & Aged Care: What It Means for Your Family

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 06:32:42 GMT

The 2026–27 Federal Budget includes $3.7 billion for aged care, with several welcome changes for older Australians wanting to remain at home longer.

More Support at Home packages, free personal care from October 2026, and increased dementia funding all point to a stronger focus on helping people age in place with dignity and independence.

However, long wait times remain a challenge. If you or a loved one needs support now, it's important to understand both the opportunities and limitations of the latest reforms.

What Has the Budget Committed To?

The $3.7 billion investment spans residential aged care, home care, dementia support and sector quality initiatives. Key measures affecting home care include:

32,000 additional Support at Home packages in 2026–27 to help reduce wait times

Personal care fully funded from 1 October 2026, removing out-of-pocket costs for eligible participants receiving assistance with showering, dressing and continence support

$224.3 million for dementia care, including 20 new Specialist Dementia Care units

Expansion of the End-of-Life Pathway, with an additional $25,000 available over 12 weeks for eligible palliative care recipients who outlive their expected prognosis

These changes reflect growing recognition that supporting older Australians at home is both preferred by families and more sustainable for the healthcare system.

What Does Free Personal Care Mean?

From 1 October 2026, services such as showering, dressing and continence support will be classified as clinical care and fully funded by the Government.

For many families, these everyday supports make the biggest difference to quality of life. Reclassifying them as essential care recognises their importance and reduces the financial burden on older Australians.

If you're already receiving Support at Home services, your current arrangements remain unchanged until October. Your provider will explain how the changes apply to your circumstances closer to the commencement date.

The Challenge: Demand Still Exceeds Supply

While 32,000 new packages represent progress, demand continues to outpace supply.

More than 200,000 older Australians are currently waiting for assessment or a funded package, with some waiting close to a year. Industry groups, including Ageing Australia, had called for between 50,000 and 80,000 additional packages.

The Budget is a positive step, but families needing support now may still face significant delays.

What This Means for Families Considering Home Care

If you're already receiving Support at Home services, your care will continue as normal, with funding changes taking effect from October.

If you're waiting for a package, there may be other options available in the meantime, including:

Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)

DVA Veterans' Home Care for eligible veterans and partners

Private home care services that can commence immediately

For families exploring aged care for the first time, early planning often leads to better outcomes, more choice and less stress when support becomes necessary.

How Companion Home Care Can Help

You don't need to wait until a situation becomes urgent to explore home care options.

Companion Home Care can help you understand:

Which government-funded programs you may be eligible for

Current wait times for Support at Home services

How the October 2026 funding changes may affect your costs

Available alternatives if support is needed sooner

We offer free home consultations and practical guidance to help families make informed decisions with confidence.

Sources: Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (Budget 2026–27), Australian Ageing Agenda, Aged Care Insite and The Weekly Source. Information current as of May 2026. This article is general information only and does not constitute financial or care advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why More Australians Are Accessing Support Earlier

Fri, 22 May 2026 05:26:42 GMT

When most people hear the words “in-home care,” they picture someone who is unwell, frail, or no longer coping on their own. It's a common assumption—and it's one we'd like to set straight.

The truth is, home care today is far more about prevention than recovery . It's about helping older Australians (almost 1.7 million so far) to keep doing the things they love, in the home they love, for as long as possible. It's about staying active, connected, and independent.

Here's what the latest research is telling us about why more Australians are accessing support earlier. And, why it might change how you and your family think about getting practical assistance at home.

40% of Older Australians Say They Need Help to Maintain Independence

You might be surprised to learn that nearly 40% of Australians aged 65 and over (almost 1.7 million people) say they need some level of help to maintain their independence. And the keyword there is some . For most of these Australians, we're not talking about full-time clinical care. We're talking about a hand with the shopping. A lift to a medical appointment. Help with the vacuuming so the weekend can be spent with the grandkids instead.

In fact, the vast majority of older Australians entering the home care system start with the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). In 2024–25 alone, there were more than 833,000 active CHSP clients across the country. Most of these people only need what's classified as low-level support like cleaning, transport, or meal preparation.

Another 350,000+ Australians use Support At Home (SAH), and Level 1 packages (for very minimal care needs) remain one of the most common entry points into the system.

Home care isn't reserved for “the very ill”. It's a practical, everyday support service that helps older Australians live the lives they want to live.

The Power of Prevention

A simple home assessment can cut fall risk by nearly a quarter. Around 1 in 4 Australians over 65 experiences a fall each year. Falls are one of the leading causes of hospital admission and loss of independence in older adults. Research shows that simple, targeted interventions at home—things like exercise programs, grab rails, better lighting, and clearing trip hazards—can reduce the risk of falling by 23%.

Catching small problems early keeps people out of the hospital. Effective in-home care programs have been shown to reduce hospital readmissions by up to 25%. That's because having a professional checking in regularly means small issues such as missed medication, signs of infection, or changes in mobility get picked up early before they become emergencies.

The human connection matters as much as the clinical care. Roughly 11% of older Australians experience social isolation, and we know loneliness has a real impact on physical health. Seniors receiving in-home support have reported a 44% improvement in their overall well-being, largely because someone is showing up, having a chat, and being part of their week.

Reframing the Conversation

For many families, the idea of bringing in home care can feel like a difficult step—almost like an admission that things are getting harder. We encourage you to flip that thinking.

Day-to-day assistance with things that have become tiring or tricky isn't a sign of slowing down. It's a smart, proactive choice that protects energy for the things that matter most—time with family, hobbies, gardening, lunch with friends, a walk in the morning sun.

The earlier support comes in, the more it does.

It's much easier to prevent a fall than to recover from one. It's much easier to maintain wellbeing than to rebuild it.

Share These Statistics with a Loved One

About 40% of Australians over 65 say they need practical help to stay independent—that's not unusual, it's the norm.
Good home care can reduce hospital visits by up to 25% through better monitoring and early intervention.
1 in 4 seniors fall each year , but simple home modifications and exercise can significantly lower that risk.
Most people start with low-level support—not full-time care —and that's often all they ever need.

How Companion Home Care Can Help

Getting older shouldn't mean giving things up. If you or someone in your family has been wondering whether it might be time to look at home care, we'd love to have a chat. There's no pressure, no commitment, and no question too small.

Often, the first conversation is the hardest part—and the most worthwhile.

Get in touch with our team today for a personal consultation in your own home, just say when.

Aged Care Reform Is Facing Pushback — And WA Families Are Feeling It

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 04:10:33 GMT

There’s growing national pressure on the Federal Government to rethink aged care reforms. 

Here in Western Australia, this  isn’t  just policy:  it’s  playing out in real life.

At Companion Home Care, we’re seeing:

Confused families reaching out
Delayed support after hospital discharge
Packages approved… but not delivering what’s needed

The shift to the  Support at Home  model was meant to simplify things.

Instead, for many families, it’s created more uncertainty, more admin, and more waiting. The system is becoming harder to navigate, not easier.

What’s happening on the ground in WA:

Long waits for assessments and approvals
Services that don’t match real needs
Rising costs, even for basic support
Families left to figure it out themselves

As in-home care specialists, we see every day that clients can’t rely on the system alone to step in at the right time. 

If you wait for everything to align — funding, approvals, availability — health can deteriorate in the meantime. 

We have a front-row seat to what’s changing.

More families are coming to us earlier — not because they want to, but because they need immediate support, clear direction, and stability while the system catches up. 

And it rarely starts with full-time care.

It starts small:

A few hours a week
Help with meals
Medication reminders
Someone checking in

Often, that’s enough to prevent a bigger crisis. 

So let’s be clear: 

The aged care system is in transition. That won’t change overnight. 

But families still need answers today. 

If  you’re  navigating this in WA right now: 

Don’t wait for the system to become clear. 

Start with what you can control. 

Because the earlier support is in place, the longer people stay safe, stable, and at home.  

Comfort Keepers South is Now Companion Home Care

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 07:40:52 GMT

Comfort Keepers South is Now Companion Home Care

A New Name, The Same Trusted In-Home Care Across Perth & Mandurah.

We’re excited to announce that Comfort Keepers South has officially rebranded as Companion Home Care. This change reflects our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional in-home care services across Mandurah and Perth’s southern suburbs, while also making it easier for partners and referrers to connect with our team.

Over 20 Years Supporting WA Families at Home.

Trusted by thousands of Western Australian families for more than 20 years, we’ve grown alongside the WA community, supporting seniors to live independently with dignity and confidence. Our services have expanded to include not only personal care and daily living assistance, but a full suite of in-home support tailored to individual needs.

Leadership Built on Experience and Community.

“Rebranding to Companion Home Care allows us to more clearly represent who we are and the high standard of care we provide. It’s only through our Nurses, Carers, allied health networks, and referral partners that we’re able to deliver the exceptional levels of care that we do,” says Craig Billings, Director.

For more than 40 years, Craig has been a leader in business, marketing, and community engagement in WA. In 2006, he recognised the growing need for high-quality in-home care and founded what is now Companion Home Care. Today, our team continues to deliver care with compassion, professionalism, and a deep understanding of the needs of our community.

Continuing to Support Perth & Mandurah Communities.

We look forward to strengthening our partnerships with healthcare providers, allied health professionals, and organisations across WA as Companion Home Care. Together, we can ensure seniors receive the support they need—and deserve—to live safely and comfortably at home.

Looking for Comfort Keepers South? Contact Companion Home Care.

Let’s continue the conversation. Connect with us to learn more about how we can work together to support local seniors.

companion-home-care

The 2026 Federal Budget & Aged Care: What It Means for Your Family

What Has the Budget Committed To?

What Does Free Personal Care Mean?

The Challenge: Demand Still Exceeds Supply

What This Means for Families Considering Home Care

How Companion Home Care Can Help

Frequently Asked Questions

Why More Australians Are Accessing Support Earlier

Here's what the latest research is telling us about why more Australians are accessing support earlier. And, why it might change how you and your family think about getting practical assistance at home.

40% of Older Australians Say They Need Help to Maintain Independence

Home care isn't reserved for “the very ill”. It's a practical, everyday support service that helps older Australians live the lives they want to live.

The Power of Prevention

Reframing the Conversation

The earlier support comes in, the more it does.

Share These Statistics with a Loved One

How Companion Home Care Can Help

Aged Care Reform Is Facing Pushback — And WA Families Are Feeling It

There’s growing national pressure on the Federal Government to rethink aged care reforms.

Here in Western Australia, this isn’t just policy: it’s playing out in real life.

What’s happening on the ground in WA:

If you’re navigating this in WA right now:

Comfort Keepers South is Now Companion Home Care

Comfort Keepers South is Now Companion Home Care

A New Name, The Same Trusted In-Home Care Across Perth & Mandurah.

Over 20 Years Supporting WA Families at Home.

Leadership Built on Experience and Community.

Continuing to Support Perth & Mandurah Communities.

Looking for Comfort Keepers South? Contact Companion Home Care.

There’s growing national pressure on the Federal Government to rethink aged care reforms. 

Here in Western Australia, this  isn’t  just policy:  it’s  playing out in real life.

If  you’re  navigating this in WA right now: 