Reports 300 local aged care workers may lose their jobs if the City of Greater Geelong moves forward with plans to cut it’s Home Support Program.
Council officers have recommended that Support at Home replace the Home Care Package Program starting from 1 July 2025, and the Commonwealth Home Support Program, which would transition no earlier than 2027.
Staff were briefed on Wednesday morning, with a meeting to be held next Thursday for councillors to vote on the proposal.
Zoe Edwards, Deputy Branch Secretary at the Australian Services Union said it looked to them like Council was set on the plan.
“It looks like Council has already made the decision, and are seeking to just rubber stamp that next week at a council meeting.”
Ms Edwards said aged care workers have been given just eight days to engage in a consultation period.
“This service provides personal care, grooming, toileting, in-home support such as cleaning, vital services that keep people in the home and keep them safe,” she said.
“Geelong council is proposing to abruptly leave the service, with some services to cease, we understand, in May.”
An independent review into the aged care reforms ultimately recommended transitioning all in-home community care clients to specialist local providers.
City of Greater Geelong Chief Executive Ali Wastie said they considered very carefully what would be best for their clients.
“Our aim is to ensure our community is provided the best possible service to its ageing population, and this has always been the core priority of our community care service,” Ms Wastie said.
“We are committed to guiding our staff and clients through any transition, but cannot pre-empt how Council will respond to our recommendation.”
