The KPMG aged care market analysis points to a clear shift: as the Australian aged care market reshapes, more families are planning for home care that is reliable, premium and easy to manage. For time-poor adult children in suburbs like Toorak, Hawthorn or Brighton, the headline is simple — use the report to pick providers that offer continuity, clear data and flexible services so your parents stay safe and comfortable at home.

TL;DR

The sector is consolidating as large providers acquire share and smaller ones refocus; residential occupancy is uneven while preferences shift toward care at home.
Home care demand is rising (packages and private pay), with families expecting regular insights and practical technology; leading providers use data to spot issues early and act.
Regulatory reforms lift expectations for quality, reporting and transparency; the right provider absorbs the admin and communicates clearly.
When choosing private home care, prioritise continuity (a small, stable team), clear outcome-focused updates, and flexible models that scale up or down and coordinate discharges and specialists.
In Melbourne, you’ll find strong choice; for rural links, confirm local teams or partnerships and contingency cover for public holidays and sudden needs.

Key insights from the KPMG aged care market analysis

Market consolidation and the mix of providers

The aged care sector is moving through market consolidation driven by cost pressures, workforce supply and regulatory reforms. Expect further market consolidation as large providers expand market share through acquisition activity, while smaller providers reassess where they can deliver services with the most value.

In some regions, the only new entrant to bricks-and-mortar residential care may be a big brand, while not-for-profits focus on specialist services and community ties. This shapes real-world access to care and the level of choice families have across the market.

Residential aged care dynamics: occupancy and operational places

The KPMG aged care analysis highlights uneven occupancy rates in residential aged care. Some metro postcodes still run hot, but lower occupancy rates appear where newer home care options and changing preferences reduce demand for a move into residential.

This links to operational places: where places are tight, wait lists lengthen; where places open up, families can compare residential aged care providers on care model and outcomes. In remote locations and rural towns, access can be tough — distance, staffing and travel all affect the system. If you’re weighing up residential care versus a more flexible plan at home, these patterns matter.

Home care momentum: demand, data and technologies

Across Australia, the home care market is growing as older Australians and older people prefer support in familiar surroundings. Home care packages and private funding are both in play, which lifts demand for personalised services that can scale up without the disruption of moving into a facility.

Families expect regular insights, frequent updates and practical use of technologies — from medication reminders to secure messaging — so they always know how Mum or Dad is tracking. Top aged care providers now use data to plan visits, spot a decline early and deliver the right support before a problem escalates.

Policy and regulation: a change that touches daily routines

The aged care market is responding to regulatory changes and increasing regulatory requirements that raise the bar on quality, reporting and transparency. This is driven in part by Australia’s ageing population and the need for financial sustainability across the whole sector. Stronger governance shouldn't add stress for families; it should mean clearer pricing, better training and easier communication. The right provider absorbs the admin so you don’t carry the burden.

What this means for families choosing private home care now

Continuity, clarity and confidence

In a shifting Australian aged care landscape, consistency is gold. Look for providers that keep the same small team around your parents, instead of a new face at every visit. That continuity builds trust, reduces errors and helps carers notice a small decrease in mobility or appetite before it becomes a bigger decline. Ask how they share insights with you — regular summaries, and transparency on goals and outcomes. With the right resources and investment in training and technologies, a premium home-based model can deliver services that feel calm and seamless.

Flexible models that scale with need

As ageing progresses, support should scale from a few hours a week to more complex services — personal care, nursing, allied health and night support — without constant disruption. The best providers in the home care space design plans that adapt to changing demand, handle hospital discharges smoothly and coordinate specialists so you don’t have to chase updates. This is where private home care shines against some parts of residential aged care: your parents stay where they’re happiest, and you keep visibility over day-to-day life.

Melbourne and beyond: metro ease, rural realities

In Melbourne’s inner suburbs, choice is strong and travel times are short. For families with links to rural towns or remote locations, check how the provider maintains continuity across distance — do they have local teams, or partnerships that protect standards? The report suggests geography still shapes access, so ensure any plan covers contingencies for public holidays, sudden needs and backup carers.

Why the market shifts matter to your family

The aged care market analysis points to a world where choice grows at home and becomes more selective in facilities. Families benefit when providers keep a clear focus: personal relationships, proactive care and easy communication. In a market shaped by acquisition activity, market share movements and shifting occupancy rates, pick partners who invest in people, not just buildings. That’s where the most value shows up — in calm mornings, safe routines and fewer surprises.

Chat with our friendly tram about private home care

If you want practical next steps — without the homework — have a chat with our friendly team on 03 9267 9090. We’ll map a plan for your parents that fits today and scales tomorrow: the right visits, the same friendly faces, clear pricing, and updates you can trust.

Serving Toorak and greater Melbourne, we can start quickly, coordinate with your GP and specialists, and keep you informed every step. Call now to secure care that brings the best of the Australian aged care market to your parents’ home.

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_{Last updated: September 2025}