Most Older Australians in Long-Term Care Rely on Government Payments

Most older people who enter long-term care in Australia depend on government payments. About nine out of ten receive social welfare support. This pattern stayed steady from 2010 through 2019.

Researchers studied a national group called the Registry of Senior Australians. They looked at more than 921,000 people aged 65 and older. Each person had a care eligibility check between January 2010 and December 2019. The typical person was 82 years old. Nearly 59 percent were women. About 61 percent owned their home.

The study checked income from the year before each assessment. It adjusted the numbers using January 2020 prices. Welfare payments rose slightly over the decade. The typical amount went from about $19,852 to $20,630 per year. At the same time, more people reported income from outside the government. That share climbed from 12 percent to 30 percent. But the usual amount of that extra money actually fell.

Not everyone relied on welfare the same way. People in the top income group got about 59 percent of their money from social welfare. Others in lower groups got between 84 and 91 percent from welfare. Wealthier people also had more jobs, investments, or business earnings. Meanwhile, people who did not own a home had higher total income than homeowners. The typical non-homeowner made about $23,841, while the typical homeowner made about $20,800.

Most people in this group rely on government payments. Substantial income from other sources appears mostly among the richest fifth. This pattern invites questions about fairness and access to care for older adults.