AN external provider has been appointed to take over the community and aged care services being phased out by Frankston Council.
Late last year, Frankston Council announced it would cut its personal care services, 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 escorted shopping (“Council confirms care cuts” The Times, 4/11/2025). Last week it announced that AccessCare, which is managed by Kingston Council, would take over its responsibilities.
The transition to AccessCare services is set to occur on 1 July this year. In a statement, Frankston Council said AccessCare would “ensure residents who rely on personal care, domestic assistance, respite care, social support individual (escorted shopping) and home maintenance and modifications continue receiving consistent, reliable support.” Frankston mayor Sue Baker said “Frankston City Council remains strongly committed to supporting older residents and will continue to play a meaningful role in their lives.”
“We’re pleased that another local government provider will continue delivering the vital care and support that our community relies on every day,” Cr Baker said. “Frankston City Council will also continue to invest in its ongoing aged care services, strengthening them and working closely with AccessCare so older residents can rely on high-quality support now and into the future.”
After AccessCare takes over service delivery, Frankston Council will continue to provide Meals on Wheels, group social support (outings program), and community transport.
The decision last year to cut community and aged care services, made behind closed doors by Frankston councillors, was made days before the federal government aged care reforms became effective. The new Aged Care Act featured major changes to aged care funding, with each person on a Home Care Package moving to the federal government’s new “Support at Home” program.
AccessCare is managed by Kingston Council. Kingston mayor Georgina Oxley said “AccessCare has been delivering high-quality aged care for more than 30 years, and we are proud to extend that trusted support to older people in Frankston City. “Our focus is on providing a stable, caring transition and making sure seniors continue to receive the wonderful care they deserve.”
A statement from Kingston Council read “AccessCare will step in to ensure a smooth and well supported transition for Frankston City Council clients, who will continue to receive their current care and will also gain access to the Support at Home program which offers flexible higher levels of care as needs change over time.”
“Both councils are committed to ensuring local seniors continue to have access to trusted, high-quality care to help support them stay in their homes as long as possible,” the statement read.
Anyone needing support during the transition can contact Frankston Council’s “Community Care Transition” team on 9784 1818 or CommunityCareConnect@frankston.vic.gov.au
First published in the Frankston Times – 31 March 2026