Aged care delays put more pressure on hospitals
23 Sep 2026
The AMA has released its first Aged Care Report Card, which examines delays in accessing aged care and the effect on the wider health system.
The report found that hospital patient days used by people who were eligible and waiting for residential aged care increased by more than 60% over three years.
The number rose from 286,050 days in 2020–21 to 460,122 days in 2023–24.
The report also found that the national median wait for an aged care assessment more than doubled between 2018–19 and 2024–25.
Among people approved for residential aged care, one in 10 waited more than three and a half years before entering care.
AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said the findings showed that aged care and healthcare are closely connected.
The AMA said delays in aged care can leave older patients in hospital after they are medically ready to leave, while also reducing the number of hospital beds available for other patients.
The report calls for governments to work together through the National Health Reform Agreement to improve the move from hospitals into community and residential aged care.
It also recommends reducing delays across the aged care pathway to help improve patient transitions and ease pressure on hospitals.
The AMA plans to publish the Aged Care Report Card each year to track progress and measure improvements for older Australians and the health system.
Aged care delays put more pressure on hospitals
Source: Australian Medical Association (AMA) – Aged Care Report Card