Community Care

Following an extensive review and community consultation, Frankston City Council has made the decision to move to a shared delivery model for our Community Care services. This means Council will continue delivering some services directly, while transitioning out of:

• Some services under the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) — which supports people aged 65 and over or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• All services under the Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACC-PYP) — which supports individuals under 65 years old or under 50 years old for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

This change will take effect by 30 June 2026.

Frankston City Council will continue providing the following Community Care services to CHSP clients, with funding from the Australian Government:

• Meals on wheels / Delivered meals
• Group social support (outings program)

Additionally, Council will continue to fully fund and operate the community transport service, which will remain available to all eligible community members.

Frankston City Council will be transitioning the following Community Care services to other approved providers by 30 June 2026:

• Personal care
• Domestic assistance (house cleaning and unescorted shopping)
• Respite care
• HACC-PYP assessment services
• Meals on wheels / Delivered meals (for HACC-PYP clients only)
• Home maintenance and modifications (including gutter cleaning)
• Flexible service response
• Social support individual (escorted shopping)

Council will work closely with clients as they transition to new providers, ensuring the process is well supported and feels as smooth and seamless as possible.

During the review process, Council worked closely with the State Government to explore options for continuing to provide some HACC-PYP services to our community. However, the program’s requirements do not permit partial service delivery. As a result, Council has made the decision to fully transition out of its role as a HACC-PYP provider.

Frankston City Council has listened to community feedback and undertaken a detailed review of how our services operate and their long-term sustainability.

Between February and April 2025, nearly 1,000 people — including clients, carers, staff, local providers and community members — shared their views through the Connecting with Community Care engagement. Many expressed a strong wish to see ‘no change’, reflecting how deeply these services are valued. At the same time, national aged care reforms are reshaping how care services are funded, managed and delivered, prompting most councils across Victoria to reassess their role within the sector.

After listening to community feedback and consulting with government partners, Council determined that a shared delivery model is the most suitable path forward. This approach allows Council to retain some services where possible, while supporting a stronger local care network and focusing our efforts and resources where they can add the most value. The decision follows careful consideration of all service options and aims to balance client and staff wellbeing with Council’s responsibility to ensure services remain viable, compliant and financially sustainable for the long term.

Council finalised its decision following confidential meetings held in August and October 2025.

For more information about the engagement findings and to read the full report, visit engage.frankston.vic.gov.au/care-connections

The decision to transition some services to other providers was not an easy one. Like most councils across Victoria, Frankston City Council has been reviewing its role in aged and community care in light of new national aged care reforms.

These reforms are changing how services are funded, managed and delivered. Council took a close look at how it can continue meeting the needs of our community, while also meeting the requirements set out by the reforms. By transitioning some services to external providers, Council can respond more effectively to these changes and ensure clients continue to have access to high-quality services with greater choice, flexibility and long-term sustainability.

For now, there will be no immediate changes and all services will continue as usual. Any changes will be introduced gradually, with plenty of notice. Any clients needing to transition to a new provider will be contacted directly and supported to do so before 30 June 2026.

These changes are about building a stronger, more sustainable community care system for the future. Partnering with a range of approved providers will help ensure Frankston residents continue to receive reliable, high-quality care that can adapt to their changing needs over time.

Council will continue to play an active role in supporting older residents and people who rely on community care — through advocacy, information and connection to services that meet their needs and by continuing to deliver some services directly. Our goal is to make sure every member of the Frankston community can access the right care, at the right time, from the right provider.

There will be no immediate changes — clients will continue receiving their current services from Council as usual.

By 30 June 2026, around 60 per cent of clients will have some of their services transition to new providers, while continuing to receive other services from Council. Council is working closely with government partners and external providers to make sure these changes happen smoothly and with as little disruption as possible.

Clients affected by the transition have been contacted directly, given information about the upcoming changes and will have the opportunity to nominate their preferred providers in the future. Council is committed to providing plenty of notice and personalised support to guide clients through the transition.

Yes. For now, clients will continue seeing the same support workers they know and trust — there are no immediate changes.

As some services move to new providers before 30 June 2026, there may be some changes to who delivers certain services. Council understands how important these relationships are and will work closely with staff and providers to minimise disruption and keep clients informed as changes to staffing occur.

Some roles will be impacted by the move to a shared delivery model. Staff will be supported through this change, including with opportunities for redeployment and upskilling where possible. 

The decision will help strengthen community care across Frankston by ensuring services remain high-quality, flexible and sustainable into the future. Residents will benefit from greater choice in providers and care options that better suit their individual needs.

If you have any questions or concerns about your current or future care, please contact Council’s Community Care Transition Team on (03) 9784 1818 or email CommunityCareConnect@frankston.vic.gov.au.

Yes. As part of the transition, Council is introducing two new services designed to strengthen support for clients and our community.

The Community Care Navigation and Advocacy Service, launching in April 2026, will help clients and community members understand the changing aged and community care system, explore their options and connect with local providers that best meet their needs.

In addition, a dedicated Community Care Transition Team has been established to answer questions and provide personalised assistance to clients and community members throughout the transition period.

These new services reflect Council’s ongoing commitment to supporting older residents, ensuring people continue to feel informed and confident in accessing the care they need.

As part of the transition of Council’s Community Care services, we are working closely with government partners to identify and confirm new approved, external providers who will share service delivery into the future.

This process is still underway and is focused on ensuring clients continue to receive safe, high-quality care with minimal disruption. Council will share more information about the new providers as soon as details are confirmed.

Clients affected by the transition will have the opportunity to choose from a range of approved service providers. Council will support each client to understand their options and connect with the provider that best meets their needs and preferences.

A dedicated Community Care Transition team is available to answer questions and provide you with practical support. You can contact the team on (03) 9784 1818 or via CommunityCareConnect@frankston.vic.gov.au.

The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) provides free, independent and confidential support to help older people, their families and carers work through any concerns or issues with aged care. You can visit www.opan.org.au or call the Aged Care Advocacy Line on 1800 700 600 (Monday to Friday, 8am–8pm, and Saturday, 10am–4pm).

You can access free translation and interpreting support through the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National). This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

To use the service, call 131 450 at any time or visit www.tisnational.gov.au for more information.

Meals on Wheels provides nourishing meals up to 7 days a week to eligible residents.  

Hot meals are delivered to your home Monday to Friday between 11 am and 1 pm. Frozen meals for weekends and public holidays are also available. 

The Bus Outings Program encourages older residents to socialise and have fun with other members of the community.  

Council staff and volunteers organise regular, low-cost group outings. Participants can enjoy time in a safe, friendly environment at different locations. We accommodate walking aids (wheeled walkers), but you must be physically independent. 

The Community Transport Program provides a safe, friendly and reliable service for residents who may find public or private transport difficult. 

The door-to-door service runs on a fixed timetable to different locations, such as: 

• shopping centre  
• seniors clubs  
• Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre  
• exercise programs  
• Frankston Library.

Transport is not provided to meet individual appointments. Gold coin donations, paid directly to the driver, help with the costs of running the service.  

Walking aids (wheeled walkers) are welcome, as long as you are physically independent. 

The HACC-PYP Assessment team are continuing to accepting new referrals and review existing clients for residents under 65, or under 50 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are not currently receiving services via the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and require supports to maintain independence; to manage at home and in the community. Contact Council’s Intact Officers via telephone on 9784 1933 or by completing the online referral form.

Meals on Wheels provides nourishing meals up to 7 days a week to eligible residents.  

Hot meals are delivered to your home Monday to Friday between 11 am and 1 pm. Frozen meals for weekends and public holidays are also available.  

Home maintenance staff can help with minor repairs, maintenance and modifications to keep your home safe and secure, such as: 

• Installing ramps, handrails, grab rails, handheld shower fittings (referral needed)  

• Fixing jammed doors, handles and catches  

• Changing light bulbs  

• Installing smoke detectors and changing batteries 

• Cleaning of gutters