What’s Changing with the Support at Home Program?
From 1 November 2025, the new Support at Home Program will replace the existing Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs.
The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) will also move under Support at Home, no earlier than 1 July 2027.
This change is designed to make it simpler for older Australians to access the right mix of services, equipment, and home modifications that promote better health, independence, and connection to their communities.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Support at Home classifications
The 8 Classifications & Budgets
The shift from four Home Care Package levels to eight Support at Home classifications allows for more personalised funding and care options. This model bridges the gap between basic support and complex in-home care, ensuring services match each person’s evolving needs.
Each classification has a defined quarterly and annual budget, giving recipients the flexibility to choose approved services that best suit their lifestyle and health goals.
Below is a summary of the types of care available under each Support at Home Classification, along with the indicative annual funding allocated for each level.
Transitioning from a Home Care Package
Grandfathered Participants
If you were assessed or approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024, you will automatically move into the new Support at Home Program on 1 November 2025 under the “no worse off” principle.
This means:
Your out-of-pocket costs will stay the same or decrease.
You won’t need to reapply or undergo a new assessment.
Your existing package level and unspent funds will carry over, allowing you to continue using them for eligible services, including assistive technology and home modifications.
If you were approved for a Home Care Package before 12 September 2024, you are protected under the “no worse off” principle.
Here’s how it works:
If you currently pay no fees, you won’t be charged under Support at Home even if your care classification increases.
If you do pay fees, you’ll pay the same or less under the new program.
The lifetime cap of $130,000 (indexed) will remain in place.
Participant Contributions
Participants will pay contributions based on an assessment of their income and assets. Contributions will differ for:
Clinical supports - no contribution
Independence services - moderate contributions
Everyday living services - highest contributions.
HCP care recipients and older people approved for a package on or before 12 September 2024 will be no worse off under Support at Home. This means they willmake the same contributions, or lower, than they were assessed as having to pay under HCP program arrangements.
"No worse off principle' contribution rates
| Aged Pension Status | Clinical Support | Independence | Everyday Living |
| Full Pensioner | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Part Pensioner (or Hybrid) | 0% | Between 0% to 25% depending on income | Between 0% to 25% depending on income |
| Self-funded Retiree | 0% | 25% | 25% |
Rules of unspent funds
Existing Home Care Package partipants retain all unspent funds. They will carry over in full and remain available for use under Support at Home.
You can use your HCP balance to:
- Pay for approved services once your quarterly budget is exhausted
- Purchased assisted technology or home modifications (AT-HM) to meet
assessed needs
Under Support at Home, you can also carry over up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget (whichever is greater) into the next quarter.
Understanding the New Support at Home 3 Categories
Whether you’re already receiving care or just beginning your aged care journey, People First Healthcare is here to guide you through what’s changing and how you can make the most of your new options.
Clinical Conditions Assessment, Treatment and Monitoring
Home support care management
Home Support Restorative care management
Occupational Therapy
Allied health Therapy Assistant
Nutrition & Dietetics
Assistive Technology
Medication Administration
Psychotherapy
Podiatry
Exercise Physiology
Speech Pathology
Nursing Care
Wound Care
Personal Care
Respite Services
Group Social Support
Osteopathy
Respite Care
Home Support Restorative Care Management
Assistance with Selfcare and Daily Living Activities
Direct Transport (Driver and car provided)
Indirect Transport (Taxi or rideshare service vouchers)
Continence Management
Diversional Therapy
Accompanied Activities
Individual Social Support
Remedial Masseuse
Home maintenance and Repairs
General House Cleaning
Essential Light Cleaning (e.g., Mopping, vacuuming, washing dishes).
Gardening
Domestic Assistance
Shopping Assistance
Meal preparation
Short-term Pathways
Three short-term service classifications are also available. When you are assessed for aged care, your assessor will determine if you are eligible for the short-term pathways. They provide additional time-limited support. Short-term service classifications are also accessed via an aged care assessment
Assisted Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme
Will give participants funding to access a defined list of assistive technology and home modifications, without needing to save up funds from their ongoing services budget.
Restorative Care Pathway
Replaces the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme. It will give participants access to intensive allied health and nursing care for up to 16 weeks. The pathway is designed to regain independence and prevent the need for higher levels of ongoing care.
End of Life Pathway
Will give participants with 3 months or less to live access to more funding for in- home aged care services for 12 weeks. This aims to help older people remain at home if that is their preference.
Support At Home FAQ's
The Support at Home Program is a new, government-funded in-home aged care initiative that will replace both the Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs.
It’s designed to deliver a single, simplified system for older Australians, providing access to assessed in-home supports and clinical services that help people stay healthy, safe, and independent at home.
The new program begins on 1 November 2025.
If you’re currently receiving a Home Care Package, you’ll automatically transition to Support at Home. Your existing funding and support level will carry over, and you can discuss any changes directly with your current provider to ensure a smooth transition.
Access to Support at Home will be through My Aged Care under the new Single Assessment System.
Once you’re assessed, you’ll be assigned a classification and an approved support plan. You can then choose a registered aged care provider to deliver your services.
The entry process is similar to the current HCP system, but the new classification model allows for more tailored and flexible support.
You may be eligible for the Support at Home Program if you are:
65 years or older, or 50 years or older if you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
Living at home (not in residential aged care)
An Australian citizen or permanent resident
Assessed by My Aged Care as someone who requires in-home aged care services
A member of the My Aged Care assessment team—usually a nurse, social worker, or other health professional—will visit you at home.
They’ll discuss your daily routines, how you manage everyday tasks, and what kind of help would best support your independence.
Most assessments take around one to three hours, depending on your circumstances.
Wait times for Support at Home services are typically 3 to 6 months, but may take up to 12 months, depending on demand across Australia.
You can track the progress of your application by:
Calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422, or
Logging into your My Aged Care online account.
The Support at Home Program includes a defined list of approved services across three main categories:
Clinical Supports – nursing, allied health, medication management, and rehabilitation services
Independence Support – personal care, transport, social activities, and therapy services
Everyday Living – domestic help, meal preparation, home maintenance, assistive technology, and home modifications
Clinical services will continue to be fully funded by the government.
Support at Home introduces eight ongoing classifications, replacing the previous four Home Care Package levels.
Each classification has a set quarterly and annual budget aligned to your assessed needs, allowing for more personalised and responsive in-home care.
Yes, you can use your Support at Home funding to pay for larger items or upgrades, such as home modifications, a mobility scooter, or other assistive technology.
Your aged care provider will work with you to ensure your budget covers what you need.
You can also carry over unused funds—up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget (whichever is higher)—into the next quarter.
Under Support at Home, participants will contribute towards some service categories:
Clinical Care: Fully funded by the government (no out-of-pocket cost).
Independence Services: Co-contributions between 5% and 50%, covering personal care, social support, and home modifications.
Everyday Living Services: Co-contributions between 17.5% and 80%, covering cleaning, meal preparation, and shopping assistance.
The exact amount you’ll pay depends on your financial situation — whether you receive a full pension, part pension, or are self-funded.
Each provider sets their own service pricing, but national rules ensure fairness through contribution caps, financial hardship provisions, and “no worse off” protections.