Canberra discovers showering is not a premium feature

The Conversation · Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra · Tuesday 21 April 2026

Canberra discovers showering is not a premium feature

From October, home care recipients will no longer be charged for help with showering, dressing and continence support — a reform that raises the question of why they ever were.

October 2026 and we're finally agreeing that a pensioner getting washed isn't a luxury item. The means test on dignity has been quietly running for years while the policy wonks debated co-payments like it was a Netflix subscription. Chifley would've had this sorted over a cup of tea.

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