Waiting times for subsidised residential care places vary by place type. Based on recently admitted cases, the average waiting times are:
- Subsidised/contract care-and-attention home (C&A home) places: about 21 months
- Nursing home places: about 9 months
- Care-and-attention home places under the Enhanced Bought Place Scheme (EBPS): about 6 months
Among these, private places under the Enhanced Bought Place Scheme (EBPS) have the shortest waiting time. Subvented and contract homes combined take about 11 months.
As of 31 May 2026, there were 18,606 active cases (16,779 for care-and-attention homes and 1,827 for nursing homes), plus 37,747 non-active cases.
Learn more -> Complete guide to applying for the Central Waiting List