This page provides additional details about the proposed changes. After reviewing the information, please return to the main page to share your feedback.
The proposed changes
We are proposing to provide services which strengthen social connections and improve wellbeing for older people in our community. This would include:
- A larger Linking Neighbours program; including social activities such as coffee mornings and regular outings.
- Continued Community Connector services; to help older people and their families in Port Phillip understand what supports are available within the broader aged care system.
- Continued Hop on hop bus service; to help older people and those with access needs get to popular destinations in Port Phillip.
- A dedicated Positive Ageing Team at Council; to develop and implement programs that support older people in Port Phillip.
We are also proposing that Council would no longer provide the following Commonwealth funded programs:
- Delivered meals
- Social support services (the “Better Together” program),
- Community Transport which is used to get older people to the “Better Together” program
While Council is proposing to step back from delivering Commonwealth-funded aged care services, these services will not disappear. Instead, responsibility for them would return to the Commonwealth Government, who would appoint other qualified providers to continue supporting our community.
If Council decides to step back from these services, we would work closely with the Commonwealth, including recommending local providers that Council believes are well-placed to meet the needs of older people in Port Phillip.
Below is a summary of proposed service changes:
| It is proposed that Council will continue to deliver: | It is proposed that another Specialist Aged Care provider will deliver: |
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Why we are proposing the changes
In February 2024, Council decided to step back from providing in-home aged care services and transition these to a specialist aged care provider better placed to delivery these due to a range of changes to the aged care sector.
Since then, more changes have occurred including the passing of the new Aged Care Act 2024, which has required Council to reconsider its role in delivering Commonwealth funded services.
Some of the key challenges include:
- Despite best efforts, Council continues to be unable to meet aged care service targets set by the Commonwealth Government.One of the challenges in meeting these targets is that only older people who have been assessed and deemed eligible for Commonwealth funding can access these aged care services.There is strong competition from larger and specialist aged care providers for the referrals and customers available, and it is difficult for Council as a small service provider to influence these.
- We expect that the way the Commonwealth funds the aged care services Council provides is going to change.Instead of receiving upfront funding, Council may soon be paid for services delivered after they’re provided.This is different from what Council thought was likely when it made changes in February 2024 and impacts on the financial sustainability of Council’s current service model.
- The Aged Care Act 2024 introduces a new approach focused on the rights of older Australians. It aims to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of aged care. It also introduces a risk-based system for monitoring services, with stronger rules for providers. Breaking these rules could lead to financial penalties. While Council provides a quality service, to meet the new rules, Council would need to change how it runs aged care services and invest further in governance and compliance measures.
What you can influence
Your feedback can help shape what services are offered. This includes things like:
- What you would like to see a new Positive Ageing Team focus on to best support older community members.
- How Council’s hop on hop off bus service could be enhanced.
- How Council’s Linking Neighbours Program could be strengthened.
- How Council’s Community Connector Service could be further strengthened to help people and their families navigate the aged care system.
What you can’t influence
At this stage you can’t influence:
- Timing: A final decision needs to be made by February 2026.
