Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee

Senate Estimates hearing,

Searchable transcript of the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee, 06 Feb 2026 Senate Estimates hearing, with chapters: Meals on Wheels Advocacy and Opening, Block Funding vs Individualized Budgets, Administrative Burden and Support at Home, OPAN and COTA Opening Statements, Risks of the…

Chapters

  1. Meals on Wheels Advocacy and Opening (0:00)

    Representatives from Meals on Wheels highlight the critical role of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme and the risks of transitioning to individualized funding.

  2. Block Funding vs Individualized Budgets (17:55)

    Witnesses discuss the efficiency of block funding for community services and the potential administrative burden of individualized meal subsidies.

  3. Administrative Burden and Support at Home (25:56)

    The committee examines the cost differences between current programs and the proposed Support at Home model, focusing on volunteer workforce sustainability.

  4. OPAN and COTA Opening Statements (35:47)

    The Older Persons Advocacy Network and COTA Australia outline their conditions for integrating aged care programs and improving service access.

  5. Risks of the Integrated Care Model (48:15)

    Advocates question the necessity of rolling the Commonwealth Home Support Programme into a single model, citing the 'postcode lottery' of current services.

  6. Blended Funding and Service Equity (55:20)

    Discussion focuses on the need for a blended funding model that supports both individual choice and community-based service stability.

  7. Provider Perspectives on CHSP Transition (1:08:40)

    Major aged care providers argue for a phased transition to the Support at Home program to manage risks and ensure service continuity.

  8. Stability and Reform Overload Concerns (1:15:14)

    Providers express concern over the pace of reform and the potential for increased administrative costs under a fee-for-service model.

  9. Waitlists and Early Intervention Data (1:37:24)

    The committee investigates the number of clients on waitlists and the importance of early intervention through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme.

  10. First Nations Aged Care and Cultural Safety (1:43:22)

    NATSIAOC warns that the transition from block funding could lead to market failure and the loss of culturally safe services in remote communities.

  11. Inspector General on Economic Modeling (2:12:08)

    The Inspector-General of Aged Care expresses grave concern over the lack of economic modeling and transparency regarding the program transition.

  12. Transparency and Ministerial Briefings (2:49:00)

    The Inspector-General discusses the impact of uncertain timelines on sector anxiety and details the briefings provided to the Minister.

  13. Departmental Modeling and Cost-Benefit Analysis (2:57:21)

    Department officials are questioned on the existence and dates of cost-benefit analyses for the Support at Home transition.

  14. Transition Timelines and Wait Time Targets (3:14:54)

    The hearing concludes with a focus on the government's commitment to reducing wait times and the ongoing consultation for the 2027 transition.