New Senate Inquiries into Aged Care Act

Published 14th November 2025

The Senate has launched two new inquiries related to the new Aged Care Act and the rollout of related programs and schemes. Inquiry 1 to look into the  impact of the CHSP transition, inquiry 2 will focus on the  co-payment funding model of Support at Home and new pricing mechanisms. 

This is after concerns about the aged care wait list was reported by a previous Senate inquiry into Aged Care Service Delivery (more than double the expected waitlist - over 200,000 Australians).

Greens Spokesperson for Older People, Senator Penny Allman-Payne will chair both the new inquiries.

From the Greens website: 

"Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 15 April 2026: the transition of the Community Home Support Programme to the Support at Home Program, with particular reference to:

1. the timeline for the transition of the Community Home Support Programme to the Support at Home Program after 1 July 2027;
2. the expected impact of this transition, including on:
   1. waiting periods for assessment and receipt of care;
   2. the lifetime cap of $15,000 on home modifications;
   3. the End-of-Life Pathway time limits; and
   4. thin markets with a small number of aged care service providers. 
3. aged care provider readiness for the transition, including their workforce; and
4. any other related matters.

That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by the Tuesday of the last sitting week of November 2026: the Support at Home Program, with reference to:

1. the ability for older Australians to access services to live safely and with dignity at home;
2. the impact of the co-payment contributions for independent services and everyday living services on the financial security and wellbeing of older Australians;
3. trends and impact of pricing mechanisms on consumers;
4. the adequacy of the financial hardship assistance for older Australians facing financial difficulty; 
5. the impact on the residential aged care system, and hospitals;
6. the impact on older Australians transitioning from the Home Care Packages Program;
7. thin markets including those affected by geographic remoteness and population size;
8. the impact on First Nations communities, and culturally and linguistically diverse communities; and
9. any other related matters."

You can make Submissions here:

Support at Home Program
        Status: Accepting Submissions
        Date Referred: 04 November 2025
        Submissions Close: 31 July 2026

Transition to Commonwealth Home Support Program to the Support at Home Program
        Status: Accepting Submissions
        Date Referred: 04 November 2025
        Reporting Date: 15 April 2026

You can see what other people have writen about the inquirys here:

https://www.australianageingagenda.com.au/executive/policy/senate-votes-to-launch-two-new-inquiries/

https://greens.org.au/news/media-release/greens-chair-aged-care-inquiries-cost-care-and-future-system

https://www.ahpa.com.au/news-updates/submission-to-australian-senate-community-affairs-reference-committee-inquiry-into-aged-care-service-delivery

https://www.ama.com.au/articles/ama-submission-senate-inquiry-aged-care-service-delivery

https://unitingcare.org.au/media-release/unitingcare-australias-voice-echoed-in-senate-inquiry-report/

https://www.dementia.org.au/sites/default/files/2025-09/Senate-Inquiry-into-Aged-care-service-delivery.pdf

https://australian.physio/sites/default/files/submission-2025-09/APA_Senate_Inquiry_into_Aged_Care_Service_Delivery_%20August_2025.pdf

https://agedcarereformnow.com.au/waiting-for-support-senate-inquiry/https://agedcarereformnow.com.au/waiting-for-support-senate-inquiry/