Support at Home will replace Home Care Packages and the Short-Term Restorative Care Program from 1 Nov 2025. Find out what will happen to your Home Care Package and what you need to do during the transition.
Why are Home Care Packages changing?
Support at home is being introduced in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. This new and improved in-home care system aims to deliver more flexibility, transparency, and access to better support for more Australian seniors.
The main differences between Support at Home and Home Care Packages are:
- Eight classifications (compared to 4 Home Care Package levels) delivering up to $78,000 per person annually.
- Capped service pricing and a reduction in administrative and management fees
- The government pays for all clinical services. Recipients contribute to the cost of daily living and independence supports.
- Waiting times should progressively reduce to an average of 3 months by July 2027
- Recipients can access immediate funding for assistive technology and home modifications as well as short term support when leaving hospital, and end-of-life support.
Read more: Support at Home Guidelines
If you have a Home Care Package, or you’re on the National Prioritisation System (waiting list) you will automatically transition to Support at Home on 1 Nov. Here’s what will happen, depending on your circumstances.
If you were assessed for a Home Care package BEFORE September 2024
You will be considered to be assessed before September 2024 if you had someone from My Aged Care conduct an aged care assessment for you – even if you are still on the National Priority System awaiting allocation of a Package.
Automatic transition | You don’t need to do anything or fill out any forms. You will automatically transfer to the Support at Home program. |
No new assessment | You will not need a new assessment, unless your needs have changed, and you wish to apply for increased support. |
Your funds stay the same | The funding you received (or were assessed to be eligible for) as part of your Home Care Package will remain the same. You will not have to “slot into” a Support at Home classification level unless you choose to be reassessed. |
Service continuity | Your current provider will continue to deliver care under the new program, and you should not experience a “gap” in services. |
Unspent funds move with you | Any unspent Home Care Package budget will carry over to your Support at Home account. |
Your clinical care contribution stays the same | Under the “no worse off” principle, you will pay the same, or less, than you do now for your clinical care supports. If you pay no means-tested fee now, you won’t pay one moving forward. |
You may pay more for everyday living and independence support | What you need to pay for everyday living and independence supports will depend on your income. For example, a full pensioner will pay 5% for independence supports and 17.5% for daily living costs. A self-funded retiree will need to contribute more for these types of services. Read more: Understanding contributions in the new Support at Home program. |
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If you were assessed for a Home Care package AFTER September 2024
Automatic transition | You will automatically transfer to the Support at Home program and will continue to receive services at your current level. |
No new assessment | You will not need to be reassessed and placed into one of the Support at Home classifications. |
Your funds stay the same | You will have the same annual budget as the Home Care Package level you were assessed to be eligible for. Your annual budget may change if you are subsequently re-assessed for greater support under the Support at Home program. |
Your clinical care contribution stays the same | Under the “no worse off” principle, you will pay the same, or less, than you do now for your clinical care supports. If you pay no means-tested fee now, you won’t pay one moving forward. |
You may pay more for everyday living and independence support | What you need to pay will depend on your income. For example, a full pensioner will pay 5% for independence supports and 17.5% for daily living costs. A self-funded retiree will need to contribute more for these types of services. Read more: Understanding contributions in the new Support at Home program. |
Service continuity | Your current provider will continue to deliver care under the new program, and you should not experience a “gap” in services. |
Unspent funds move with you | Any unspent Home Care Package budget will carry over to your Support at Home account. |
If you’re on the waiting list for a Home Care Package?
If you are on the National Priority System awaiting allocation of a Home Care Package, you will automatically transition to a Support at Home classification once a place is available.
You will be allocated a budget that aligns with the Home Care Package level you have been assessed to be eligible for and are waiting to access.
You won’t need a new assessment unless your needs change and you wish to access a higher classification with a higher budget.
If you want to switch providers when Support at Home starts?
Automatic transition: You will still automatically transition to Support at Home, even if you change providers.
Unspent funds will transfer: Any unspent funds will transfer to your Support at Home budget and follow you to your new provider.
Read more: How to switch to a new home care provider – at no cost.
What you should do now you want to switch providers when Support at Home starts?
- Talk to your provider: They will provide details about your transition and any actions you need to take.
- Review your needs: Now is a good time to consider whether your current level of support still meets your needs. You can be reassessed if your circumstances have changed.
- Understand your contributions: Ask your provider how the new participant contribution rates will affect your budget and how services are delivered to you.
- Assess the service you are receiving: Your home care provider should be keeping you informed about Support at Home changes, and how they may affect delivery of your services. If they aren’t communicating well, then it may be worth considering alternate providers.
Remember, a good home care provider will deliver quality service, offer value for money and be there for you when you need them. You deserve to live your best life at home with high quality, reliable home care.
Exploring your options is easy. Aged Care Decisions can help you find and compare home care providers, with less stress, less running around and at ZERO cost to you.
Connect with us today, and we’ll help you find a provider you love.
Here’s how our FREE home care support service works:
Read more about Support at Home: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/support-home-program
