Home Care reimagined
What the new Support at Home program means for you
By Danielle Bodinnar | 21 Oct 2025
Big changes are coming to aged care in Australia. Starting 1 November 2025, the Australian Government will roll out the Support at Home program as part of aged care reforms designed to simplify and improve how older Australians receive care at home.
If you or a loved one currently has a Home Care Package and receives services offered by home care providers, or you're on the waitlist, this blog post will help you understand what’s changing, who it affects, and how it could benefit you.
Why Support at Home?
The current aged care system can be complex and fragmented. Support at Home aims to fix that by:
- Combining the Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care programs into one streamlined system.
- Offering more flexibility in how care is funded and delivered.
- Improving access to services, equipment, and home modifications.
What’s New? Here are the key changes you’ll see under Support at Home:
- One Program: No more juggling between HCP and STRC—everything is under one roof.
- Quarterly Budgets: Funding is based on your needs and delivered every three months.
- Assistive Technology & Home Modifications (AT-HM): Up to $15,000 available for mobility, safety, and communication aids.
- Tailored Support: Eight new funding levels replace the old four-tier system.
- Special Pathways: Includes Restorative Care and End-of-Life support options.
- Fair Contributions: Fees based on income and assets, with protections for existing participants.
Service Categories
Support at Home services are grouped into three easy-to-understand categories:
- Clinical Care – Nursing, allied health, nutrition.
- Independence – Personal care, transport, social support.
- Everyday Living – Cleaning, home maintenance, meals.
New Funding Classifications
Here’s a quick look at the new eight levels of support:
| Level | Quarterly Funding* | Annual Funding* | Examples |
| 1 | $2,674 | $10,698 | Light housework, meal delivery |
| 2 | $3,995 | $15,982 | Dressing assistance, medication reminders |
| 3 | $5,480 | $21,920 | Personal care, transport |
| 4 | $7,386 | $29,545 | Daily care, allied health |
| 5 | $9,884 | $39,535 | Nursing, complex coordination |
| 6 | $11,989 | $47,957 | High-level clinical support |
| 7 | $14,531 | $58,122 | Intensive weekly support |
| 8 | $19,427 | $77,709 | End-of-life care |
*Funding figures a are approximate amounts effective from 1 November 2025 and are subject to change in March and September each year in line with indexation.
How does it compare to Home Care packages?
| Feature | Home Care Packages | Support at Home |
| Funding Levels | 4 fixed levels | 8 flexible classifications |
| Budget Type | Annual | Quarterly |
| Assessment | ACAT | Single Assessment System |
| Flexibility | Limited | High – choose services |
| Assistive Tech | Limited | Up to $15,000 available |
| Care Management Fees | Variable | Capped at 10% |
Who’s Affected?
Grandfathered Participants
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Approved before 12 Sept 2024
-
Automatically transitioned
-
Keep current funding and services
-
Protected by “no worse off” guarantee
Transitional Participants
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Approved between 12 Sept 2024 and 31 Oct 2025
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Continue under HCP rules until Nov 2025
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Then move to Support at Home with quarterly budgets
New Participants
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Approved after 1 Nov 2025
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Start directly under Support at Home
-
Assessed using the new system
FAQs
Will I lose my current services?
No. Grandfathered participants retain their services and funding.
Can I choose my provider?
Yes. You can continue to choose and change providers.
What happens to my unspent funds?
You can carry over up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget.
Will I pay more?
No. The “no worse off” principle ensures you won’t pay more than you currently do.
What is the AT-HM scheme?
A funding stream for assistive technology and home modifications.
What is the Restorative Care Pathway?
Short-term support to help regain independence.
What is the End-of-Life Pathway?
Up to $25,000 for care in the final three months of life.