Home aged care staff at ‘breaking point’, as most miss out on Coalition’s $800 bonus

Those in the sector say Australia’s home care workers have been largely forgotten despite their frontline role during the pandemic. Photograph: Jacobs Stock Photography Ltd/Getty Images

Australia’s largest home care provider says its aged care workers are at “breaking point” and are only receiving a fraction of the Coalition’s promised $800 bonus due to flaws with the scheme’s design.

The vast and systemic problems facing aged care were exposed during the pandemic, including in home care, where workers have faced increased demand for services, huge staff turnover, abuse from families, and continuing low rates of pay.