In a significant win for older Australians, the Federal Government has announced the removal of proposed caps on gardening and cleaning services under home care packages. The reversal, part of efforts to secure bipartisan support for its $5.2 billion aged care reform bill, has been widely praised by seniors and advocacy groups.
Initially, the government proposed stringent caps—18 hours per year for gardening and one hour per week for cleaning—as part of its Support at Home Program reforms.
These changes aimed to redirect resources towards clinical services, such as nursing and allied health, to ensure these were universally accessible without co-contribution costs. However, critics argued that the caps would have unintended and harmful consequences, making it difficult for many elderly Australians to maintain safe, liveable homes.
The proposed caps were met with immediate backlash from aged care experts, advocates, and seniors. Paul Sadler, an experienced aged care expert, warned of the impracticality of such restrictions.
“Gardening and cleaning are not luxuries,” Sadler explained. “They are essential for maintaining a safe home and a connection to the outside world, particularly for older Australians with larger homes or complex needs.”
He recounted how issues with domestic tasks like gardening have historically driven older people into residential care. “Even 35 years ago, older Australians were moving into care because they couldn’t manage their gardens anymore. For many, that’s still a real issue today,” Sadler noted.
Gardening, he emphasised, is more than just a chore for many older Australians. “For some, their garden is a source of pride, self-expression, and joy—a vital connection to the outside world,” he said. However, maintaining such spaces is physically demanding, and without adequate support, many seniors would struggle to keep them safe and accessible.
The government’s decision to scrap the caps came after sustained advocacy from groups like the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN). Samantha Edmonds, OPAN’s Director of Policy and Systemic Advocacy, described the change as a “sensible decision” that reflected the feedback provided by older Australians.
“Older people told us time and again that a cap of 52 hours per annum on cleaning and 18 hours per annum on gardening was woefully inadequate,” Ms Edmonds said.
“For those with continence issues, one hour of cleaning a week simply isn’t enough to maintain hygiene. Additional gardening hours are often necessary to address safety concerns, like fire hazard reduction.”
OPAN also reiterated its call to remove co-contribution payments for personal and respite care, warning that cost barriers could deter seniors from accessing essential services. “When older people avoid these services due to cost, it impacts their health and wellbeing and puts further pressure on the healthcare system,” Ms Edmonds said.
For many older Australians, gardening and cleaning services are not simply conveniences—they are lifelines. A HelloCare reader shared her experience of relying on these services to remain independent.
“I live alone, on a full pension, with no family or community support,” she explained. “I’ve had falls and am classified as a falls risk. Without regular gardening and cleaning support, I wouldn’t be able to stay in my home.”
The reader also noted that proposed caps and associated costs would have placed an impossible financial burden on her limited income. “I don’t drink, smoke, eat out, or have holidays. But even so, I wouldn’t have been able to afford the extra services I need. Sitting in my garden, enjoying the flowers and birds, is vital to my mental and physical health,” she said.
Her story echoes the experience of countless seniors across Australia. Many have complex needs that make it impossible to handle these tasks independently, yet these services are crucial to maintaining a safe and dignified home environment.
The government’s initial plan prioritised clinical services, arguing that these are critical to keeping people healthy at home. While this emphasis remains valid, experts warn that domestic services like gardening and cleaning are equally vital for many older Australians.
As Sadler pointed out, reducing domestic assistance could undermine the broader goals of ageing in place. “There’s a real contest between setting a cap that is realistic and its impact on older people,” he said. “Services like cleaning and gardening, although often overlooked, are fundamental to maintaining a dignified life at home.”
The decision to scrap these caps is a significant step towards a more holistic approach to aged care. It reflects the government’s willingness to listen to the voices of older Australians and adjust its policies accordingly.
By preserving access to domestic services while continuing to expand clinical support, the government ensures that seniors can maintain safe, independent, and fulfilling lives at home. This balance is crucial for enabling older Australians to age with dignity and maintain their quality of life.
This is great news!! A win for free speech and older Australians. Now if they could just bring care management fees back up to 20% and bring home care funding levels in line with residential, then we might be getting somewhere with aged care reform.
I am 88 years old, had a fall which required a left knee replacement which makes it impossible of me to maintain my 1/2 acre property.
On the 20/11/2024 I had a visit from the shire Ranger who glanced at the property and said the grass/weeds must less than 50mm, also all low branches have to be removed. This is required to comply with the Bushfires Act. My Aged Care support me with a house clean every fortnight but there are times this does not happen due to labor shortage, this also applies to garden support, as I cannot get gardener at all. A gardener is hard to get and the cost is $40 per hour which would be a drain on my aged pension, I have a deadline for the compliance to be done before January 1 2025.
We have had to make a choice, either have 2 hours per day 5 x a week, for personal assistance, and social supports, with a cab charge so I can obtain, transport to take myself to and from doctors or have assistance at home and the garden. Being on Level 4 have been advised I can’t have above and have a nurse to assist me with my insulin and medication 2 x a day. I am visually impaired, hearing impaired and have chronic health issues.
These choices have had a massive impact on all avenues of my health.
I fully agree with the intended changes. For me cleaning & gardening services are a basic lifeline to enable me to stay in my home.
My husband has dementia & is unable to do simple tasks placing all these needs onto my shoulders.
I simply would not be able to stay on our property without the wonderful help my supporters provide for me.