The Australian Government’s new Support at Home Program is set to launch on July 1, 2025, bringing significant changes to the way older Australians receive in-home care. If you’re currently receiving home care services, you may be wondering how this will impact you. At Stable Home Care, we’re here to help you navigate these changes and ensure you continue receiving the care you need.
What is the Support at Home Program?
The Support at Home Program is designed to streamline and improve home care services, replacing the existing Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will remain in place until 2027, but new assessments will direct individuals to either Support at Home or CHSP services.
Key Changes Under the New Program
Faster Access to Care: Additional government funding aims to reduce the home care package waitlist to an average of three months by July 2027 (Currently up to 18months).
New Budget System: Instead of four Home Care Package levels, Support at Home introduces eight funding classifications, allowing for more tailored support.
Simplified Assessments: A Single Assessment System will replace the two-step process currently required for HCP and CHSP.
No Out-of-Pocket Costs for Clinical Care: Services such as Nursing, Physiotherapy, and Occupational Therapy will be fully government-funded.
Contributions for Everyday Living Services: Fees for domestic assistance, gardening, and meal preparation will be based on income and assets.
Unspent Funds Will Be Retained: If you have unused funds from your Home Care Package, they will continue to be used for ongoing services or roll over into the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme.
How Much Will I Need to Pay?
To ensure fairness, the government has introduced a ‘no worse off’ principle, meaning that if you were assessed before September 12, 2024, you won’t pay more under the new system. Below is an outline of how contributions will be structured:
| Funding Category | Clinical Supports | Personal Care & Independence Services | Everyday Living Services (Cleaning, Gardening, Meals) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Pensioner | 0% | 5% | 17.5% |
| Part Pensioner | 0% | 5-50% (based on means test) | 17.5%-80% (based on means test) |
| Self-Funded Retiree (with Commonwealth Seniors Card) | 0% | 5-50% (based on means test) | 17.5%-80% (based on means test) |
| Self-Funded Retiree (without Commonwealth Seniors Card) | 0% | 50% | 80% |
A $130,000 lifetime cap on contributions will ensure affordability for long-term care recipients.
What Happens to My Home Care Package?
If you already receive a Home Care Package, you won’t need to be reassessed. Your allocated budget will align with your current level. However, if your care needs change, you will require a new assessment to move to a higher funding level on the Support at Home Program.
Will I Lose My Unspent Home Care Package Funds?
No, you will retain access to any unspent Home Care Package funds. These can be used for
- Additional services once your quarterly budget is exhausted
- Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme before accessing new AT-HM funding.
No, you will retain access to any unspent Home Care Package funds. These can be used for
- Additional services once your quarterly budget is exhausted
- Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme before accessing new AT-HM funding.
New Support at Home Funding Levels
The eight funding classifications provide annual budgets ranging from $11,000 to $78,000, ensuring care recipients receive the appropriate level of support. Short-term care options, including the Restorative Care Pathway and End-of-Life Care Pathway, offer targeted assistance for those needing temporary or palliative care at home.
What the funding classifications looks like
| 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 |
Additional support is available through the Restorative Care Pathway (for maintaining independence) and the End-of-Life Care Pathway, which provides up to $25,000 in home care support for 12 weeks.
What About Self-Management?
A 10% care management fee will apply to all participants, whether they choose to self-manage or work with a provider. This fee covers service coordination, clinical advice, and ongoing care planning. Unlike the current system, package management fees will be integrated into service costs, making pricing more transparent.
Will There Be Price Caps on Services?
The government plans to introduce price caps from July 1, 2026, but until then, providers will continue setting their own rates. The Department of Health will monitor providers to ensure fairness.
Access to Equipment and Home Modifications
A major improvement under Support at Home is the ability to access assistive technology and home modifications immediately, rather than saving up funds over time. The AT-HM Scheme provides upfront funding of up to $15,000, subject to a lifetime cap.
How Stable Home Care Can Support You
At Stable Home Care, we understand that navigating changes in aged care funding can be overwhelming. Our local team in Tweed Heads are here to provide guidance and ensure you continue to receive high-quality care tailored to your needs.
If you have any questions about the Support at Home Program, get in touch with our friendly team today.
