澳大利亚维多利亚州的梅尔顿市议会、莫纳什市议会、莫宁顿半岛郡议会和北格兰皮恩斯郡议会等多个地方议会计划在2027年前后停止提供居家养老服务[1]。这一变化源于联邦政府推行老龄护理资金改革，将通过新的《居家支持计划》直接向老年人提供资助，而不再通过议会进行中转，同时《英联邦家庭支持计划》(CHSP)的资金将在2027年6月终止[1]。
议会退出计划引发了广泛的服务连续性和就业担忧。莫纳什市市长直言"这将是一场底线竞赛，看谁能以最便宜的价格提供服务"[1]。澳大利亚服务工会指出，这一变化将导致数十名工作者（主要是女性和兼职员工）失业[1]。理事会主席詹妮弗·安德森批评联邦资金不足，指出"联邦老龄护理资金根本不足以覆盖真实护理成本，议会被迫用纳税人资金补缺"[1]。
联邦老龄护理部长山姆·雷对议会的退出计划表示失望，呼吁其继续承担责任[1]。参议院2026年6月的调查报告建议联邦政府继续资助CHSP至2030年，但尚未做出决定[1]。
Multiple local councils across Victoria are planning to withdraw from home aged care services by around 2027, citing inadequate federal funding as the primary driver of their decision [1]. The exodus includes major councils such as Melton City Council, Monash City Council, Mornington Peninsula Shire, and Northern Grampians Shire [1]. This shift follows the federal government's pivot toward direct subsidies to elderly individuals through the Support at Home program, moving away from council-administered services funded under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), which is scheduled to conclude in June 2027 [1].
The withdrawal is expected to create significant disruption for clients and workers alike. The Monash City Mayor warned that "it will be a rat race to the bottom" as providers compete on price rather than quality [1]. The Australian Services Union has flagged that dozens of workers—predominantly women and part-time employees—face redundancy as a result [1]. Councils argue they are caught in an untenable position; according to council chair Jennifer Anderson, federal aged care funding falls far short of covering actual care costs, forcing councils to use ratepayer money to fill the gap [1].
Federal Aged Care Minister Sam Rowe expressed disappointment with the councils' plans and called on them to continue their responsibilities in the sector [1]. A parliamentary inquiry report from June 2026 recommended that the federal government extend CHSP funding through 2030, though no final decision has been made [1].