How can I apply for meal provider services?

Key points:

• The Australian Government will allocate $37 million dollars to approximately 500 meal providers to ensure older Australians continue to receive healthy, high-quality meals
• Meal provider services offer older Australians a chance to connect with their community and fight against loneliness and social isolation
• Eligible Australians can access meal provider services through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme and Home Care Packages Program

The Australian Government recently announced $37 million dollars will be given to approximately 500 aged-care meal service providers, ensuring that eligible older Australians continue to receive nutritious and high-quality meals.

The cost-of-living funding boost is expected to commence on January 1, 2025, for Commonwealth Home Support Programme meal service providers. 

Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells emphasised how the Australian Government’s contribution to assist hundreds of meal providers will mean eligible older Australians continue to receive good-quality meals. 

“Our $37 million dollar investment will help Meals on Wheels and other meals [sic] providers deliver an essential service, bringing healthy meals to older Australians to help them stay healthy and connected to their community,” she said.

“We’re giving an immediate cost-of-living funding boost to Commonwealth Home Support Programme meals providers servicing communities across Australia. We want to ensure they can continue to deliver better choice, better nutrition and better social supports for older people living at home.

“Meals on Wheels and other Commonwealth Home Support Programme meals [sic] providers are a vital and well-loved part of our aged care system. Often, they are also valued providers of social support, helping older people to stay connected to their local community and live at home for longer.”

What are meal providers?

Although the main purpose of meal provider services is to offer eligible Australians nutritious meals, older Australians may benefit from the social connection they receive when their meals are delivered to their door. 

One in five Australians aged 75 years and over report feeling lonely, highlighting the importance of social connection and helping them stay in touch with their community.

Meals on Wheels provides approximately 590 meal provider services across the country, serving eligible Australians with nutritious, tasty meals. The volunteer delivery drivers may also chat with recipients, providing a much-needed connection for vulnerable older Australians.

Food menus and courses can vary between providers. For example, Meals on Wheels SA recipients may receive soup for starters, a main meal such as beef lasagne and a dessert. 

Meal provider menus may change based on seasonal availability and this also ensures that older Australians receive a variety of meals. [Source: Shutterstock]

How can I access meal services?

To find out your eligibility for meal provider services, you will need to be assessed. Before organising an assessment, use the eligibility checker on the My Aged Care website. Alternatively, call 1800 200 422 to speak to a My Aged Care staff member to discuss your eligibility and how to organise an assessment. 

After receiving an assessment, you may receive a support plan from the Commonwealth Home Support Programme or be allocated a Home Care Package. Your assessor will provide you with an explanation of what to do next based on your situation.

Approximately 816,130 people in Australia used the Commonwealth Home Support Programme to access aged care services such as home care and meal preparation between 2022 and 2023.

Domestic assistance is the most common service provided to Commonwealth Home Support Programme participants. The program was established on July 1, 2015.

What other options are available?

If you don’t want to receive prepared food but struggle to make your meals, other options are available to help keep you independent at home. 

After you are assessed for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme or a Home Care Package, you may be eligible to receive extra support at home to help you with food preparation. 

This may also include getting support to visit the shops to buy food before preparing the meal at home.

How will this change with the new Aged Care Act?

Although changes will occur when the new Aged Care Act is rolled out on July 1, 2025, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme will not transition to the new Support at Home program until July 1, 2027.

The Department of Health and Aged Care recently published an updated version of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme Manual for 2024 – 2025 to provide additional clarification regarding the changes. 

However, Home Care Packages will transition to the new Support at Home program from July 1, 2025. Read more about the huge changes to the Support at Home program that sparked praise from older Aussies and advocates.

Changes around the upcoming Aged Care Act may seem confusing but they don’t have to be. The Aged Care Guide can help you understand how your super could affect government support and what’s happening and when the new Aged Care Act changes commence.

What are your thoughts on having meals delivered to your door regularly?

Let the team at Talking Aged Care know on social media. 

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Relevant content:

A guide to food delivery apps for seniors

An introduction to home care

How to have ‘the home care talk’ with your parents