What is Support at Home?

Effective from 1 November 2025, the Australian Government’s Support at Home program is set to transform in-home aged care services. This initiative aims to provide older Australians with the necessary support to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible.

Support at Home is a new in-home aged care program that will replace the existing Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs. The goal is to simplify access to care, tailor services to individual needs, and ensure financial sustainability.

How will it work?

  • Single Assessment: You’ll undergo one comprehensive assessment through My Aged Care to determine your care needs.

  • Care Classifications: Based on your assessment, you’ll be assigned to one of eight levels of ongoing support or one of three short-term care pathways, depending on your needs.

  • Quarterly Budgets: Instead of annual funding, you’ll receive a quarterly budget, allowing for more flexible and responsive care planning.

  • Single Provider Model: You’ll work with one primary provider who will coordinate all your services, making it easier to manage your care.

What Services Will Be Available?

Support at Home have a defined service list, which outlines the services that participants can access under Support at Home. Some services are:

Clinical Supports

Nursing care, Allied Health and other Therapeutic services. These include Psychotherapy, Dietitian, Nutritionist, Exercise Physiologist, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Psychology, Social work, Speech Pathology, Nutritional Supplements

Note: there are no additional contributions required for clinical services

Independence

Personal Care, Medication Monitoring, Social Support and Community Engagement, Therapeutic Service includes Acupuncturist, Chiropractor, Remedial massage, Osteopath, Taxi Vouchers, Assistive Technology and home modification, Respite, Transport Assistance.

Note: Contribution for these services will range from 5% to 50% of the cost of the service.

Everyday Living

Domestic Assistance, Home Maintenance and repairs, Meal Preparation and Delivery Services, Lawn and Garden Maintenance.

Note: Contributions for Everyday Living services range from 17.50% to 80% of the cost.

Short-Term Care Pathways

Support at Home includes three specialized short-term care options:

  • Restorative Care: Participants can be assess to have access to the Restorative Care Pathway, which focuses on allied health to build participants’ strengths and capabilities.

  • Assistive Technology & Home Modifications (AT-HM): the AT-HM Scheme gives participants access to assistive technology and/or home modifications without needing to save up funds from their individual budgets.

  • End-of-Life Care: The new End-of-Life Pathway will give participants who have 3 months or less to live access to a higher level of in-home aged care services. This aims to help them stay at home for as long as possible. An older person can be referred to a high-priority assessment to access the End-of-Life Pathway. They don’t need to be an existing Support at Home participant to be eligible.

Understanding Co-Contributions

While the government covers a significant portion of care costs, participants may be required to contribute based on their financial situation.

Contribution Rates by Service Category:

Service Category Examples Contribution Range
Clinical Supports Nursing care, Allied Health services (e.g., Physiotherapy, Podiatry) 0% (Fully funded)
Independence Services Personal care, Medication monitoring, Social support 5% – 50%
Everyday Living Services Housekeeping, Meal preparation, Lawn maintenance 17.5% – 80%

 Note: Full pensioners typically pay the minimum contribution rates, while self-funded retirees may pay higher rates based on income assessments

Transitioning from Current Programs

If you’re currently receiving services under the Home Care Packages (HCP) program, you’ll automatically transition to Support at Home on 1 November 2025. Your existing care arrangements will continue, and you won’t need a new assessment unless your circumstances change.

Who Are “Grandfathered” Participants?
If you were approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024, you are considered a Grandfathered Participant. This status ensures:

  • No Disruption: Your current care arrangements will continue seamlessly.
  • Financial Protection: You won’t pay more than your current contribution rates.
  • No Immediate Reassessment: Unless your care needs change, no new assessment is required.

Note: Individuals approved after 12 September 2024 will transition under the new Support at Home guidelines, including updated co-contribution requirements.

Different levels for different needs

Support at Home will have 8 classifications for ongoing services, replacing the 4 Home Care Package levels. Each classification will have a budget for participants to access services.

A new participant’s classification and budget will be determined at assessment based on their needs.

Support at Home classifications Quarterly budget Annual amount
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

Classification and budgets for ongoing services

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).

The indicative budget amounts for home care recipients transitioned to Support at Home are:

Transitioned home care recipients Quarterly budget Annual amount
1 $2,708 $10,833
2 $4,762 $19,049
3 $10,365 $41,460
4 $15,713 $62,853