The number of older Australians waiting for aged care remains too high, the federal minister says, after a backdown saw thousands of packages brought forward.

The federal government has brought forward the roll out of 20,000 home care packages following political pressure from the coalition and the crossbench.

While the places were going to start from November, they will now be rolled out between September and October.

Aged Care Minister Sam Rae denied the original delay was due to pressures on the budget, but said too many Australians were waiting for assistance.

"I don't want to see people sitting on the national priority system without aged care," he told Sky News on Sunday.

"The point is the number is too high, from my perspective. It's why this reform program is so important."

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