FRANKSTON Council will cease offering multiple in-home support programs from next year.
Council has confirmed that it will transition clients currently accessing the cut services to external providers by 30 June, 2026. Services set to be phased out by Frankston Council are personal care, domestic assistance including house cleaning and unescorted shopping, respite care, Home and Community Care Program for Younger People assessment services, meals on wheels and delivered meals for HACC-PYP clients only, home maintenance and modifications including gutter cleaning, flexible service response, and social support individual (escorted shopping).
The decision was made days before the federal government’s swathe of aged care reforms were put into action. The new Aged Care Act became effective on 1 November, complete with major changes to aged care funding. Each person that was on a Home Care Package will be moved to the federal government’s new “Support at Home” program.
Frankston Council’s decision was made in the confidential section of councillors’ 27 October meeting. Frankston mayor Kris Bolam said in a statement that the changes would allow council to continue running its meals on wheels for elderly residents, group social support outings program, and community transport service.
“Everyone will receive personalised support as we move through this transition. While some councils have exited all service provision, Frankston City Council remains deeply committed to safeguarding essential programs like meals on wheels, while ensuring our city continues to deliver quality services and facilities for residents of all ages, abilities and interests,” Bolam said. “This was not an easy decision, but it’s the right one for our community’s future. The reality is that the current funding model no longer covers the true cost of delivering these services, leaving local councils to fill the gap. For Frankston, that means ratepayers are funding a growing shortfall each year, a position that’s not financially responsible or sustainable over the long term.
“Our role is to ensure every ratepayer dollar is used where it delivers the greatest benefit, supporting the most people, in the most effective way. By adopting a shared delivery model, we can continue providing essential care while ensuring fairness and sustainability across all council services, facilities and initiatives.”
Frankston Council began community consultation on the future of its care services in February. Its final report revealed that of 957 respondents, 588 said that council should “provide all community care services using council employees”. (“Council reviews elderly support services” The Times 15/9/2025)
Cr Bolam says that council will set up a “dedicated Community Care Advocacy and Navigation Service” by next April to help connect residents with local providers and provide information.
“Council has proudly supported older residents for more than 40 years, and we’ll continue to play a meaningful role into the future, albeit in a more fiscally responsible capacity,” he said. “This decision allows us to protect what matters most – keeping people connected, supported and cared for close to home – while ensuring our city’s resources are managed responsibly for the benefit of every resident.”
In a statement, Frankston Council said its decision “aligns with national aged care reforms that are transforming how services are funded and delivered across Australia.”
“All clients and staff have been personally notified of council’s decision, with detailed information provided on what it means for their services or roles. Staff will be supported through this change, including opportunities for redeployment and upskilling. A dedicated community care transition team has been established to guide clients through the process, and all affected staff are being supported through internal redeployment opportunities and sector transition pathways,” Frankston Council says.
For more information on the changes visit frankston.vic.gov.au/communitycare or contact council’s community care transition team on 9784 1818 or CommunityCareConnect@frankston.vic.gov.au
First published in the Frankston Times – 4 November 2025