Home care giver and former registered nurse Lynette Allen loves her work, she is passionate about giving back to the community of Ballarat and helping the aged population in a way that provides dignity and independence.
And with life expectancy increasing and birth rates declining across Australia, the demand for more quality in-home care is growing.
The final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety estimated the number of Australians aged 85 and over would increase from 515,700 in 2018-2019 to 1.5 million by 2058 – nearly 4 per cent of the nation's population.
But despite her expertise and passion for delivering companionship and assistance to the aged population, Mrs Allen can only work 15 hours a fortnight before it impacts the tax on her pension.
The 65-year-old pensioner said it was a flaw in the pension system and her story was certainly not unique.
After losing her husband a year ago, Mrs Allen became the sole provider in her household.
"With the pension, there is a very fine line. Once you cross that, they take 50 cents in the dollar," Mrs Allen said.
Speaking to ABC Ballarat, Mrs Allen said the work she did was vital for aiding the aged population while also ensuring they retained independence.
"We offer domestic services – cleaning services, meal preparation, hopping, personal care, showering, and in-home respite," she said.
"There are many of us out there … some people perhaps did a career later in life, and don't have a large superannuation to fall back on.
"Some people aren't quite ready to fully retire and want to get out in the community and give back.
"There's a need out there. We have a lot of knowledge to give – us older people can also relate to the elderly in their home, perhaps more than a really young person."
'Missed opportunity'
Chief operating officer of the home care service Home Instead Georgia Downes said this week's budget missed the mark for pensioners who want to work.
"I think the federal government have missed an opportunity to help make an absolute difference to ageing Australians who want to work and contribute to the economy.
She added the Labor budget reply was positive for aged residents themselves but said it "absolutely missed" the pensioner issue and in-home support services.
"We really support the government in opening up this untapped workforce who help support our ageing adults in our communities."
Ms Downes said this year's federal election was a prime opportunity for the pensioner policy to change. The federal election must be held by May 21.
"Our pensioners are valuable members of our society and they have worked their whole lives to earn that pension," Mrs Allen said.
"If they want to continue to work – why can't they? If they meet certain criteria, and then they could actually work above and beyond their pension without affecting it."
The Minister for Social Services, the Minister for Senior Australians and the opposition spokesman for Senior Australians have been contacted for comment.
