A major home-care hub has opened in Ballina as years of aged-care delays begin to ease under new national reforms that will release thousands of additional home-care packages.

Across the Northern Rivers, about 2,000 older residents are still waiting for support they have already been assessed as needing.

Australian Unity, Australia’s largest in-home care provider, has expanded its regional footprint with a new Clark Street base designed to cater for the expected surge in demand as these packages start flowing.

Ballina Shire has one of the oldest populations in regional NSW, with 27 per cent of residents aged 65 or older at the last census.

National figures show almost 90,000 older Australians approved for home-care packages are still waiting for services, while more than 121,000 remain in the queue for an initial assessment.

The new Ballina office starts with around 118 staff and will support almost 1,200 older clients, with plans to grow as the reforms take effect.

Australian Unity’s national head of service delivery, Elizabeth Albury, said the region provides a clear example of why the reforms were needed.

“Thousands of locals are waiting for care while the population ages rapidly,” she said.

She said Support at Home will help clear the backlog by releasing new packages and speeding access to funding.

“The government has committed to 83,000 new packages this financial year. We are already seeing them come through, and that changes everything for people who have waited years,” she said.

Ms Albury said this is why the new Ballina office is so important.

“We know demand will increase sharply as funding arrives.

“We need local staff ready to support new customers the moment their package is approved,” she said.

She said the new model allows older people to receive personalised support at home rather than occupy hospital beds they do not need.

“Many older patients are in hospital only because support is delayed.

“Getting these reforms right will help people stay safe at home and ease pressure on hospitals,” she said.

Australian Unity Ballina offers personal care, household help, nursing, allied health and end-of-life services under a more integrated structure.

Ms Albury said many older residents feel anxious about the reforms because the information sent to them is often broad and not tailored.

“People receive plenty of letters, but none of it speaks directly to their situation. That can be overwhelming,” she said.

“Our care partners are now contacting every customer to explain exactly what the reforms mean for them and how their funding will work,” she said.

Federal modelling shows demand for home-care services will continue rising as the population ages.

Some projections suggest waitlists could reach 300,000 by 2030 unless capacity expands even further.

PICTURE: Elizabeth Albury (far Left) with members of the Australian Unity Ballina team atthe official opening of their new Clark St support base