On 5 June 2025, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing confirmed that the commencement date of Support at Home is 1 November 2025 and will replace the existing Home Care Packages (HCP) Program and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme.
In this article we answer the important questions about the new Support at Home program, and how it will affect you and your loved ones.
Table of Contents
What is Support at Home?
Support at home is a new and improved in-home care system.
It will replace the current Home Care Package Program and the short-term restorative care program in Nov 2025.
The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) will merge with Support at Home from July 2027.
What exactly is changing?
Under the new system there will be eight levels of support available, with annual funding of up to $78,000 per person.
You will be able to have a re-assessment and re-classification as your care needs change.
Approximate budgets for each classification level will be:
| Classification | 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 |
* These are estimates outlined by the government. Final classification dollar values are yet to be confirmed
A new 12-week program will also be introduced to help seniors recover from illness or injury and a $25,000 payment will be available to help recipients spend their final three months at home.
LEARN MORE: Home Care Package changes
What is NOT changing?
The services covered – Support at Home will continue to pay for in-home care services that are currently funded by Home Care Packages.
How funds are allocated – in-home care will continue to be allocated based on an individual’s assessed care needs.
CHSP – In-home care funded via the Commonwealth Home Support Program will continue unchanged until July 2027.
Current Home Care Package recipients will not pay more – seniors who already have a Home Care Package (or those who are approved for a Home Care Package before July 2025) will switch to the new system but will not have to pay more than they currently do for their care.
How will these changes affect the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)?
The CHSP will remain as is until at least July 2027.
CHSP recipients can apply to be re-assessed for a Home Care Package between now and Nov 2025, or the Support at Home program from Nov 2025.
Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or use this link to apply for an assessment: How to apply for an assessment | My Aged Care
How much will individuals have to pay for Support at Home?
Under the new system, the government will continue to pay for health-related costs, but seniors with the financial means will pay more for some of the other costs.
Essentially, what you will pay will depend on your income and assets.
In-home care costs will be split into three categories:
| Clinical care – such as nursing and occupational therapy | The government-funded budget will pay 100% of clinical care costs |
| Independence supports – such as help with medications, showering and dressing | Individuals will pay 5-50% for independence supports |
| Everyday living supports – such as housework, meal delivery and mobility aids | Individuals will pay 17.5-80% for everyday living supports |
A lifetime cap will apply, meaning that no individual will pay more than $130,000 in non-clinical care costs over their lifetime – including both in-home care and residential care.
Will everyone have to pay more?
No.
If you already have a Home Care Package – or if you are approved for one before Nov 2025 – you will switch to the new system, but the government has guaranteed that you will not pay any more than you currently (or would) pay under the current/old system.
Now is a great time to apply for a Home Care Package and connect with Aged Care Decisions to compare your Home Care options in minutes.
Aged Care Decisions’ 100% FREE service assists tens of thousands of Australian families to navigate the often-confusing aged care system.
Our expert team can save you time and provide genuine help at every stage of your aged care journey – obligation free.
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. |
If you’d like to explore your home care options, Aged Care Decisions can help. Our 100% FREE service assists tens of thousands of Australian families to navigate the often-confusing aged care system.
Our expert team can save you time and provide genuine assistance at every stage of your home care journey – obligation free.
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. |
What happens 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.
Support at Home Contributions & out of pocket expenses
The Support at Home program will introduce a new way of calculating fees for home care services. While the government will fully cover all clinical care costs (like nursing and allied health), you’ll contribute to the cost of non-clinical services — things like cleaning, meal preparation, and personal care.
This contribution is means-tested and depends on your income.
Here’s how it works:
Full pensioners will pay the lowest rate
Part-pensioners may contribute a moderate amount
Self-funded retirees will generally pay more
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders will be charged at a lower rate, even if they haven’t applied for the card
The amount you pay is referred to as your out-of-pocket contribution, and it’s only for the services you actually use. To make the system fairer, there’s a lifetime cap of $130,000 on what you can be asked to pay for these non-clinical services, whether you receive care at home or in a residential facility.
Will my contributions change if I already have a Home Care Package?
If you’re already receiving a Home Care Package or are approved for one before 12 September 2024, the No Worse Off Principle applies. This means your fees won’t increase under Support at Home, although the services you receive may change.
Your provider must clearly explain any changes to your pricing and care hours before 1 July 2025. You’ll need to sign a new agreement to continue receiving services under the new system, but only if you’re happy with what’s offered. You have the right to ask questions and compare providers.
For a detailed breakdown, visit our comprehensive guide to Support at Home participant contributions.
How to apply for a Home Care Package before the reforms
As mentioned above, if you already have a Home Care Package, you will not have to pay more for your care than you do now.
If you are approved for a Home Care Package before 1 Nov 2025, your contribution will be based on the current Home Care Package system.
If you want to know more about Home Care Packages, Aged Care Decisions can help.
Our expert team are ready to answer your questions, put you on the right track with applications and assessments, and then find you a Home Care Package Provider you will love.
Aged Care Decisions’ service is obligation-free, 100% independent and provides invaluable assistance, even though it doesn’t cost you a cent.
Connect with our team by clicking here or on the banner below:
More Information about Home Care Packages
Our handy and concise guides cover everything you need to know about Home Care Packages and how to apply for one.
Read more about the Home Care Package program here:
Home Care Package Guidelines – Aged Care Decisions
Read more about how to apply for aged care funding here:
ACAT Assessment Guide – how to apply for aged care funding (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
