But Council on the Ageing Victorian member Ruth Hosking feared the $1.6 billion provided as part of the federal budget would not be enough.

Almost 1000 people in the Loddon Mallee region were waiting on packages on March 31.

Of those, 570 people were in need of high and intermediate care.

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"There's not enough funding for the people needing them," Mrs Hosking said about home care packages, nationwide.

She said packages needed to be given to people seeking high and intermediate care as a priority to save them entering residential aged care.

The federal government said its investment would enable older Australians to be connected with care more quickly.

Clarity has been sought on exactly how much more quickly the government expects older people to receive packages, given the budgeted money.

The Department of Health has also been contacted for comment about how the 23,000 new packages will be allocated.

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The Council on the Ageing Australia has deemed the $1.6 billion a record increase, with chief executive Ian Yates deeming the new packages "a substantial step forward and to be applauded."

However, Mr Yates said the council was disappointed there was still no commitment and plan to get waiting times down to 30 days and ensure no-one was prematurely forced into residential care.

The government has flagged reforms and further investment once the Royal Commission into Aged Care hands down its recommendations next year.

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The Council on the Ageing Australia had estimated the investment needed to address gaps in service and reduce wait times for care in the home to no more than two months at $2.5 billion a year, in its pre-budget submission.

Mrs Hosking has long been concerned about how long older people are having to wait for home care packages.

"People cannot wait 18 months to two years for a package," she said ahead of the budget.

Mrs Hosking urged people waiting on packages to keep inquiring about when their loved one would get one.