How Australia could achieve a home care revolution

Utilising smart technology could help to take much pressure off aged care and medical facilities — but more funding is needed to achieve this goal.

That’s according to Healthy@Home, a NSW consortium of industry, university and government partners. The group includes five universities, healthcare providers, local health districts and the NSW Smart Sensing Network.

It says wearable devices can track and report lifestyle and biometric data, such as activity data and blood pressure readings, and trigger preventative and urgent alerts about falls and seizures to family members and carers.

The recommendation for increased technology funding comes after the federal parliament passed major changes to the aged care system to alleviate the demands of Australia’s rapidly aging population. These changes mean residents who are able will pay more for in-home care. The federal Minister for Aged Care, Anika Wells, said the once-in-a-generation reforms acknowledge older people want to stay in their own homes for longer so they can remain healthy, active and socially connected.

Providing more support at home

The aged care system’s new Support at Home program includes an Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme which will give participants access to between $500 and $15,000 of assistive technology and/or home modifications from 1 July 2025.

“The current lowest level of funding for assistive technology in the federal government’s home care packages — $500 — falls woefully short of what is required,” said Catherine Oates Smith, NSW Smart Sensing Network Human Health Lead. “A smart watch costs upwards of $300, then you need an internet plan. We want the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme’s lowest funding tier increased so that more older Australians can live independently with dignity and improved quality of life.”

The consortium’s call comes after their release of the preliminary results of an Australian-first survey of 1000 older Australians, their family and carers’ attitudes to technology-supported care in the home.

What did the survey findings show?

The survey found close to nine out of 10 family carers or older people in the survey thought smart sensor technologies in the home should be funded via a home care package or other type of government assistance.

Professor Jason Prior from the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures said the Australian-first survey made clear that older Australians want to use technology to stay home as long as possible, but more research is needed.

“The findings from the recent survey suggest most older Australians and their carers are willing to use smart sensor technology to stay at home longer, but further research is still needed to better understand the types of technologies they use and their cost,” Prior said. “This will allow government, carers and older Australians to better plan for a future in which our growing and aging population can lengthen the amount of time they age in the comfort of their homes.”

In October 2024, the UK’s NHS announced it was handing out smart watches and wearable tech to millions of people under a 10-year plan to help people stay healthy and out of hospital.

Professor Paul Eggleston from the University of Newcastle’s FASTLab said it is important the federal government appropriately invest in smart technologies so that older Australians can stay at home as long as possible.

“The message from Australians … is clear: they want smart technology to help them stay in their homes longer, live healthier lives, and feel safer,” Eggleton said. “This isn’t just about convenience — it’s about dignity, independence and easing the strain on our health system. Appropriate investment in smart technologies will enable our parents and grandparents to live the quality of life we’d all want for them.”

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