7 Key Facts to Get You Started
What is the Support at Home Program?
Support at Home is Australia’s upcoming in-home care system, set to begin on 1 July 2025. It will replace the current Home Care Package and Short-Term Restorative Care programs. The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) will also move into this new system, no earlier than 1 July 2027.
The aim of Support at Home is to help older individuals stay in their homes for longer by improving the quality and accessibility of care. It’s part of the government’s response to the Aged Care Royal Commission and focuses on:
- Better access to services, equipment, and home modifications
- Stricter rules for home care providers
- Shorter wait times for getting support
- More funding levels for complex needs, with earlier access to Restorative Care and better support for people at the end of life with the End-of-Life Pathway.
While some details are still being finalised, we’ve put together an overview of 7 important changes to help you get ready for what’s ahead.
1. What the Changes Mean for Current Home Care Package Users
If you’re already receiving a Home Care Package (HCP) approved before 1 July 2025, there’s no need to worry about paying more when the Support at Home program begins. You’ll continue to pay the same way you do now, even though your care will shift to the new system on that date.
Everyone with a Home Care Package will be automatically moved to the new program. You’ll get a Support at Home budget that matches the level of care you’re currently approved for. This also applies to people on the National Priority System—you’ll receive funding equal to your approved HCP level. You won’t need a reassessment unless your care needs have changed.
2. Who Can Get Support at Home and How It’s Assessed
From 1 July 2025, older people will be assessed for care through a new national system called the Single Assessment System, using a tool called the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT). This tool helps assessors understand your needs and recommend the right support for you.
Who Can Get Support?
You may be eligible if you are:
• Aged 65 or over
• An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person aged 50 or over
• Aged 50 or over and homeless, or at risk of homelessness
How the Process Works
If you’re applying for home care, contact My Aged Care:
🔗 Visit: myagedcare.gov.au/support-home-program
📞 Call: 1800 200 422
If you’re found eligible, an assessor will work with you to create a personalised support plan based on your health, lifestyle, and goals.
What You’ll Get
If approved, you’ll receive a support plan and notice of decision, which will include:
- A summary of your needs and goals
- A care budget provided every three months
- Any short-term help you may need, such as home modifications, equipment, short-term care, or end-of-life support
You can then share your plan with a care provider such as us here at Southern Cross Care to get the right help at home.
3. Prioritisation and Wait Times
The Support at Home program plans to create 300,000 additional care places over the next decade. By 2035, it’s expected that about 1.4 million Australians will be receiving care.
At first, people should expect wait times for Home Care Packages to stay about the same when the new program begins. However, as Support at Home expands, wait times are expected to improve.
There will be two main updates to how care is prioritised under Support at Home:
- New Priority Ratings – Everyone who applies will be given a rating of Urgent, High, Medium, or Standard based on the results of their assessment. These ratings will be generated automatically based on your responses and will replace the current National Priority System used for Home Care Packages.
- Interim Funding – Wait times will depend on your priority level. If wait times go beyond what’s expected, people may receive part of their funding while they wait for the full amount. They’ll receive 60% of their allocated budget to start with, and the remaining 40% will be provided once it’s available.
4. How Support at Home Will Be Funded and Priced
The way funding works under The Support at Home Program will be similar to the current Home Care Package system:
- The Australian Government will still cover health-related costs
- Funding allocated will continue to depend on individual care needs
Support at Home: What You’ll Pay
Under the new Support at Home program, seniors with the means to pay will be expected to contribute more toward their care.
You’ll only pay for the services and items you actually use. Here’s how it works:
- For services, like personal care, you’ll pay based on either the hourly rate or a percentage of the total cost.
Example: If you receive two hours of personal care, you’ll pay a set amount for each hour. - For items, like consumables or equipment, your cost will be a percentage of the price.
Types of Support and What You’ll Pay:
How much you pay will depend on:
- The Type of Support or Product you receive
- Clinical Supports Category – No Contribution: Clinical care services like nursing and physiotherapy will be fully covered by the government for everyone in the Support at Home program.
- Independence Category– Moderate Contribution: Help that keeps you out of hospital or aged care—like personal care, assistive technology, or home modifications—will come with a moderate fee.
- Everyday Living Services Category – Highest Cost: Services like domestic assistance or gardening will require the biggest contribution from you. Noting that the government does not typically fund these services for any individual at other stages of life.
- Your Financial Situation
- Age Pension Status, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card Eligibility, And Financial Means.
This approach will differ from the current Home Care Packages Program fee structure, where the basic daily fee and income-tested care fee remain fixed regardless of the level of services accessed. Please refer to the table below.
This system is designed to make contributions fair and based on what you use and can afford.
Source: Support at Home Program Handbook
Contribution Arrangements for Current Home Care Recipients
No Worse Off Principle (from 12 Sept 2024)
If you were already getting or approved for home care by 12 Sept 2024, you won’t pay more under the new system.
- Full pensioners who paid no fees – Still pay nothing.
- If you were paying fees – You’ll pay the same or less.
If you move into residential care, your current fee rules stay unless you choose to switch to the new program contribution arrangements. Accommodation payments may still change as they’re set with the provider.
Also, there’s a lifetime cap—you’ll never pay more than $130,000 for non-medical care, whether at home or in residential care.
5. Support at Home Categories: Classifications and Pathways
The new Support at Home program will offer eight levels of support, compared to four under the old system. The highest level provides up to $78,000 per year, plus access to two short-term care options.
(Current Home Care Package Level 4 offers up to $61,400.)
Your support level will be based on an assessment of your care needs.
If you’re already receiving home care or are on the National Priority System, you’ll keep your current funding level until you’re reassessed under the new system.
| 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 |
| Restorative Care Pathway | ~$6,000 (12 weeks) May be increased to ~$12,000 when eligible | |
| End-of-Life Pathway | ~$25,000 (12 weeks) | |
Source: Support at Home Program Handbook
Support at Home participants will also benefit from access to two tailored short-term care pathways:
- Restorative Care Pathway:
Building on the existing Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme, this enhanced pathway will extend support from 8 to 12 weeks. It is designed to help participants maintain or regain independence, reduce reliance on longer-term services, and continue engaging in meaningful daily activities. - End-of-Life Pathway:
For those wishing to spend their final months in the comfort of their own home, this pathway offers additional support and services during the last three months of life—respecting personal preferences and enhancing quality of care during this time.
In addition to the eight levels of ongoing support and these two short-term care options, the Support at Home program will also include a three-tiered funding model for assistive technology and home modifications (AT-HM Scheme), which is outlined in the following section.
6. Support at Home Service List
Support at Home will have a clear list of services to help older people and providers understand what’s available.
The services are grouped into three categories:
- Clinical Care – like nursing
- Independence – like help with showering
- Everyday Living – like house cleaning or gardening
Each category has different types of services and rules about how much participants may need to contribute.
You won’t automatically get all services on the list. An assessment will decide what you’re eligible for, and these services will be included in your support plan and notice of decision.
To learn more, check pages 16–31 of the Support at Home Program Handbook.
Support at Home Capped Prices
A big change in the Support at Home program is the introduction of government-set price caps for services.
Right now, providers can set their own prices—just like in the current Home Care Packages program. Once these prices have been set, they will remain the same until 1 July 2026.
From 1 July 2026, the government will introduce price caps for each type of service. Providers won’t be able to charge more than these capped rates, and they’ll invoice the government directly from each person’s care budget.
The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) will work with the government to set these prices to make sure they’re fair and consistent. The price caps will cover all costs, including admin—so providers won’t be able to charge extra admin fees separately.
Support at Home Quarterly Budget for Ongoing Services
Under Support at Home, your yearly funding will be split into four equal parts—one for each quarter of the year. Your funds will be managed by Services Australia in your name.
If you don’t use all your funds in a quarter, you can carry over up to $1,000 or 10% (whichever is more) to the next quarter for unexpected needs.
You can only spend your budget on approved services listed in your support plan.
Providers will invoice by service against a participant’s quarterly budget for services delivered.
7. Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM Scheme)
Support at Home will offer separate funding for equipment, products, and home modifications to help you stay safe and independent at home.
If an assessment shows you need assistive technology or home changes, this will be included in your support plan. You’ll share the plan with your provider, who will arrange everything—including setup, training, or any needed health professional input.
There will be three funding tiers for assistive tech and three for home modifications. Each tier has a time limit for using the funds—unused money won’t roll over.
Funding (up to $15,000) can cover:
- products and equipment
- home modifications
- prescription by health professionals
- setup and training
- coordination costs
You may be asked to co-contribute depending on the item or service.
| Assistive Technology Funding Tier | Funding allocation cap | Time allocated to expend funding |
| Low | $500 | 12 months |
| Medium | $2,000 | 12 months |
| High | $15,000* | 12 months |
* Higher amounts for AT may be approved with prescription.
| Home Modifications Funding Tier | Funding allocation cap | Time allocated to spend funding |
| Low | $500 | 12 months |
| Medium | $2,000 | 12 months |
| High | $15,000 | 12 months |
Source: Support at Home Program Handbook.
Support at Home – We’re Here for Support
Still have questions about the new Support at Home program?
That’s completely normal — this is a big change, and we’re here to help.
At Southern Cross Care, we’re committed to supporting you and your family every step of the way.
📞 Case Manager Check-ins – May 2025
During May 2025, our Case Managers will contact all current clients to:
- Organise a one-on-one session
- Answer any questions you may have
- Review the new SAHP (Support at Home Program) agreements
There’s nothing you need to do right now — just keep an eye out for a call or message from your Case Manager.
Need Help Sooner? We’ve Got You Covered
If you’re thinking about starting a Home Care Package before the changes take effect, or just want to talk things through, reach out any time:
- Check out more about our Home and Community Services here
- Fill out a form on our website
- Call Us: 03 6185 0700