Support at Home
Program
A significant transformation is underway in Australia’s aged care system, with the introduction of the Support at Home program. The Support at Home program is a new in-home aged care system in Australia designed to help older people live independently at home for longer. It replaces the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme from November 1, 2025, with the Commonwealth Home Support Programme transitioning no earlier than July 1, 2027.
The program aims to simplify and improve access to services, equipment, and home modifications, ensuring older people receive the support they need within their homes.
What are the Key Changes
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, some of the key changes are:
Quarterly Budgets
Support at Home funding will be divided into four equal quarterly instalments, each covering three months.
The Department has stated that from 1 July 2025, if there are unspent funds at the end of a quarter, up to $1,000 or 10% (whichever is higher) can be rolled over to the next quarter.
This change should make it easier for individuals to manage and plan their care over the year and ensure that aged care funding is distributed fairly.
8 Classifications of Care
Support At Home Will Provide For 8 Levels Of Care (Instead Of The 4 Levels Under HCP). A new participant’s classification and budget will be determined at assessment based on their needs.
Existing Home Care Package clients and those waiting on the National Prioritisation System will not be reassessed into one of the new classifications when the new program starts. They will be allocated a budget that aligns to their current Home Care Package level (or the level they have been approved for and are waiting to access).
If their needs increase in future, they would be reassessed into a new Support at Home classification with a higher budget.
| Classification | Quarterly Budget | Annual Budget |
| 1 | ~$2,750 | ~$11,000 |
| 2 | ~$4,000 | ~$16,000 |
| 3 | ~$5,500 | ~$22,000 |
| 4 | ~$7,500 | ~$30,000 |
| 5 | ~$10,000 | ~$40,000 |
| 6 | ~$12,000 | ~$48,000 |
| 7 | ~$14,500 | ~$58,000 |
| 8 | ~$19,500 | ~$78,000 |
| ~ = approximate amounts only | ||
Skilled care provided by registered nurses, such as wound care, medication management, health monitoring, and chronic disease support. Ensures clients receive safe and professional treatment in the comfort of their own homes.
Services like physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, and dietetics to maintain mobility, strength, and wellbeing. These specialists help prevent injuries and support recovery from illness or surgery
Coordination of care plans tailored to each person’s goals, preferences, and changing health needs. A dedicated case manager ensures services are delivered efficiently and adapt over time.
Help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and taking medications. Supports dignity and independence while ensuring essential routines are maintained.
Assistance getting to medical appointments, social outings, or errands. Encourages community connection and reduces isolation for those with mobility challenges
Temporary care to give primary carers a break while ensuring the client’s needs are still met. Can be in-home or at a dedicated facility, supporting both carer wellbeing and client safety.
Help with household chores including cleaning, washing, tidying, and linen changes. Promotes a hygienic and comfortable living space.
Includes gardening, meal preparation, shopping support, and companionship services. Aims to reduce barriers to everyday living and improve quality of life.
Short Term Classifications
End-of-Life Pathway
- Palliative nursing
- Pain management
- emotional and spiritual support, and
- Assistive technology if needed.
- Duration: 3 months (with up to 16 weeks to use the funds
- Funding: Up to $25,000
Assistive Technology &
Home Modifications (AT-HM Scheme)
This scheme provides upfront funding for products and changes that make living at home safer and easier. It is determined during aged care assessment; funding is separate from quarterly budgets.
Funding Tiers
- Up to $15,000 for assistive technology, for example: mobility aids, communication devices.
- Up to $15,000 for home modifications, for example: ramps, grab rails, bathroom alterations.
Restorative Care Pathway
This pathway is designed to help older adults regain independence after a health setback or life event.
- Duration: up to 16 weeks
- Funding: Between $6,000 and $12,000
- Focus: Multidisciplinary allied health services such as:
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational therapy
- Dietetics
- Nursing support
Unspent Funds
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, if you have any Home Care Package funds unspent as at 1 July 2025, you will keep these funds until you have used it all.
The Department has stated that these funds can be spent on assistive technology, home modifications, or additional services if your quarterly budget runs out.
No Worse Off Principle
The Department of Health and Aged Care has said that a “no worse off principle” will apply to anyone who, on 12 September 2024, had a HCP, was on the National Priority System, or had been assessed as eligible for a package.
This means you should be no worse off because of Support at Home.
People on the National Priority System who have been approved for a HCP but have not been allocated a package yet should receive a Support at Home budget that aligns with their approved Home Care Package when it becomes available.
Co-contribution towards care received
Clinical care services (such as nursing and physiotherapy) should be fully government-funded. However, according to the Department of Health and Aged Care, some Support at Home recipients may need to contribute their own money to other services based on their income and assets.
Personal contributions will replace income-tested care fees.
If you do not pay an income-tested care fee now and were assessed before 12 September 2024, you shouldn’t need to pay a contribution under the new system.
Participant Contribution Levels
The standard Support at Home participant contribution rates as a percentage of service prices are described in Table 2.
Table 2. Support At Home Contribution Rates
| Clinical supports | Independence | Everyday living | |
| Full pensioner | 0% | 5% | 17.5% |
| Part pensioner | 0% | Part pensioners and CSHC holders will pay between 5%-50% based on an assessment of their income and assets. For part pensioners this will be based on their Age Pension means assessment. CSHC holders will undergo a separate assessment for Support at Home. | Part pensioners and CSHC holders will pay between 17.5%-80% based on an assessment of their income and assets. For part pensioners this will be based on their Age Pension means assessment. CSHC holders will undergo a separate assessment for Support at Home. |
| Self-funded retiree (holding or eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card – CSHC) | 0% | ||
| Self-funded retiree (not eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card) | 0% | 50% | 80% |
(For updated information, please refer to Department of Health, Disability & Ageing website)
Contribution Arrangements For Existing Home Care Recipients
- a participant will pay the dollar amount set by the percentage
- the government will pay the remainder of the price, as a subsidy to the provider.
- no contribution for clinical support services (such as nursing and physiotherapy) – the government will fully fund aged care services classed as clinical care
- moderate contributions for independence services (such as personal care) and products and equipment under the AT-HM Scheme – many of these supports help keep participants out of hospital and residential aged care
- the highest contributions for everyday living services (such as domestic assistance and gardening) – the government does not typically fund these services for anyone at other stages of life.
- lowest contributions for full pensioners
- moderate contributions for part pensioners
- highest contributions for self-funded retirees.
Key Benefits
Tailored Support
With eight classifications, support at home provides a more granular approach to meeting diverse care needs.
Fair Budgeting
Regular assessments ensure participants receive an appropriate level of support based on their needs.
Flexibility
Quarterly budgets and carry-over provisions alow for better financial and service panning.
What this means for you
The new Support at Home program reflects a commitment to improving aged care services in Australia.
By tailoring support to individual needs and ensuring fair resource allocation, the program is set to provide a more responsive and effective framework for home care.
Stay informed about these changes by reaching out to aged care providers or visiting the official government website. Planning ahead will help ensure a smooth transition and continued support tailored to your needs.
Steps to get "Support at Home"
for your loved one
