Support at Home: Changes for existing customers

Support at Home: We're here to help

From 1 July 2025, the Australian Government will introduce the Support at Home program. This page provides information and resources to help you understand the new program and what it means for you. Rest assured, all existing Home Care Package recipients will automatically transition to the new system on 1 July 2025. We are here to help you through this transition. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact your Care Advisor or reach out to us directly.

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Support at Home: What’s Changing for All

The Support at Home Program will replace the current Home Care Package and Short-Term Restorative Care programs, as part of the government’s broader Aged Care Reforms. It will also include the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), which is expected to transition to Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027.

These changes are designed to implement recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

Here is a summary of the features of the new system that will apply to both existing and new participants.

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New Funding Categories

Under Support at Home, you will have access to new funding streams that are part of the program's efforts to provide more comprehensive and flexible support. These are:

Short-Term Restorative Care: Offers up to 12 weeks of intensive allied health support to help restore or maintain function.
End-of-Life Care: Provides tailored support for individuals in their final stages of life.
AT-HM Scheme: Allows upfront access to assistive technology and home modifications without needing to save package funds.

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Clearer Service Lists

Services will be defined under three new categories. They are:

Clinical Care: This includes services like nursing and physiotherapy.
Independence Services: This includes services such as personal care and respite care.
Everyday Living: This includes services like cleaning and gardening.

This change will make it easier for you to understand what services are available and what costs might be associated with them.

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Changes to Care Management

From 1 July 2025, under the new Support at Home program, 10% of your care budget will be automatically set aside for care management. This means that care coordination—such as assessing your needs, arranging services, and checking in to ensure your care is working well—will be consistently funded and available to everyone. Catholic Healthcare is a trusted registered provider of home care services that includes care management.

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Single Assessment

A Single Assessment System for Home Care (including CHSP and HCP) and Aged Care replaces the current system allowing for a more streamlined process to get assessed and access funding.

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Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards

Revised standards focusing on seven key areas: the person, the organisation, care and services, the environment, clinical care, food and nutrition, and the residential community. These standards emphasise safety, dignity, and quality of life for care recipients.

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Registered Supporters

Representatives/authorised representatives active in My Aged Care on 30 June 2025 will automatically become “registered supporters” from 1 July 2025. Under the new system, this term will be used for those who can support older persons accessing funded aged care and/or make decisions for them, depending on whether they also have a legal appointment (e.g., enduring power of attorney, enduring form of guardianship). Read more: Upcoming changes to support roles and relationships | My Aged Care

The Department of Health and Aged Care has extensive information about the Support at Home program available via their website.

Support at Home Program: What it means for you

Grandfathered Participants

If you were receiving or waitlisted for a Home Care Package (HCP) on 12 September 2024, you are considered a Grandfathered Participant.

As a grandfathered participant, under the “no worse off” principle, you won’t lose any care or funding. This means:

Your funding will not decrease
Unspent funds will continue to be available for use
You will not pay more in contributions than you do now

Hybrid Participants

For those newly assessed between 12 September 2024 and 30 June 2025, you’ll transition into the new Support at Home program as a Hybrid Participant, receiving a mix of services from both the former Home Care Package program and the new system. This means:

Initially, you will remain on your existing funding levels when the Support at Home program begins on 1 July 2025. Over time, you will move to the new eight funding levels, which are designed to better match individual care needs.
Any unspent funds from your Home Care Package can be rolled over under the new system. However, starting 1 July 2025, rollover amounts will be capped at either $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget, whichever is higher.
From 1 July 2025, services will be categorised into three distinct areas, with fees based on a percentage of service costs. Your contribution will depend on your income and asset assessments:
- Clinical Care – Fully funded by the government, meaning no cost to participants.
- Independence Support – Moderate contributions required.
- Everyday Living Support – Highest contributions, reflecting limited government funding for these services.

Learn More About Your Options and Prepare for the Transition

Whether you are a Grandfathered or Hybrid Participant, learn more about what’s staying the same, what’s changing, and how to prepare for the transition.

Register to receive our Support at Home Information Packs or contact your Care Advisor to explore your options and understand the next steps in your care journey.

You can also find the latest updates and changes on the Aged Care Reforms here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Support at Home?

Support at Home is a coordinated package of care and services designed to meet the assessed needs of older people who qualify for funded aged care services.

Care and services can include ongoing support or short term interventions, depending upon individual assessed needs.

Short term interventions can include restorative care to help regain or maintain independence, assistive technology and home modifications in the home and end of life care for those who need it. Depending on assessed need, the ongoing supports can include the provision of clinical supports e.g. nursing, OT, physiotherapy; supports to promote independence e.g. personal care, social supports, transport, respite care and supports for everyday living e.g. domestic assistance, home maintenance and repairs and meals.
Who is eligible for Support at Home
You may be eligible for the Support at Home program if you:
- Are 65 years or older (or 50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, or those who are homeless or at risk)
- Need help with daily living tasks like personal care, health services, housework, or transport.
Can I keep my current provider?

If your current provider, like Catholic Healthcare, is registered under Support at Home, you can continue with them as your care partner.

What services are available?

Support at Home breaks services into three easy-to-understand categories:

Category	Costs	Examples
Clinical Care	No contribution/ Free	Nursing, physiotherapy, nutrition, care management
Independence Services	Requires a moderate contribution	Personal care, mobility aids, respite, transport, social support
Everyday Living	Needs a higher co-contribution	Cleaning, gardening, shopping, domestic assistance, home maintenance, meals

Note: Your fees will depend on your personal financial situation and care level.

What are the eight new funding levels?
Eight funding classifications for ongoing services will be introduced, with funding from $11,000 to $78,000 per year, based on the outcome of your aged care assessment. These levels are designed to match your care needs—ranging from basic to comprehensive support.

Here’s a breakdown of the quarterly funding available at each level:
- Level 1 – approx. $2,750 per quarter (basic support for low care needs)
- Level 2 – approx. $4,000 per quarter
- Level 3 – approx. $5,500 per quarter
- Level 4 – approx. $7,500 per quarter
- Level 5 – approx. $10,000 per quarter
- Level 6 – approx. $12,000 per quarter
- Level 7 – approx. $14,500 per quarter
- Level 8 – approx. $19,500 per quarter (comprehensive support for high care needs)
Grandfathered Participants will stay on the existing Home Care Package funding levels. Hybrid Participants will transition to the new eight funding levels.