Older Australians have snapped up thousands of extra home care places as they prepare for major reforms to the sector from next month.
Under political pressure from the opposition, Greens and crossbenchers, the federal government announced plans last month to release 20,000 home care places between September and the end of October.
Aged Care Minister Sam Rae said as of Thursday, all 20,000 packages had been allocated.
"These packages are giving thousands of older Australians and their families the support they need to live at home for longer with dignity and joy," he said in a statement.
Home care allows older people to get the support they need while living independently in their own dwelling.
The extra places were originally planned to be released in November, but faced with a 200,000-strong queue of older Australians waiting for the care they needed, the federal government agreed to release the spots earlier.
Labor says an extra 63,000 home care packages will be rolled out by mid-2026.
The figures come as the aged care sector prepares for major reforms to kick in from the start of November, which will require older people to pay more for their own care.
The changes, which will be grandfathered so people already in care won't be left worse-off, are aimed at getting the sector on a more even financial keel.
Clinical care like nursing and physio appointments will be covered by the government, but some older Australians will have to pay for other services like showering.
