The Coalition, Greens, and crossbenchers passed an amendment to aged care legislation moved by ACT independent David Pocock.
The vote went through without a division, but the government recorded its opposition.
The new Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae, had been under pressure in the House of Representatives over the huge waiting lists for packages, a position made worse by the delay of the implementation of the new aged care system from July to November.
According to the latest figures, there are 121,000 people waiting to be assessed, and nearly 109,000 waiting for packages. The government admitted to the latter figure in the Senate.
Minister for Ageing Mark Butler announced soon after the Senate vote that there would be 20,000 home care packages brought forward for release between now and the end of October, after which the new aged care system starts.