What You Need to Know About the Support at Home program
Big (BIG) changes are coming to the way aged care works in Australia. This change (any aged care related change really) has been delayed so many times and for years it’s almost overwhelming that it’s actually happening, and actually happening very soon. Only 5 weeks to go!
If you or someone you love is getting a bit of help around the house through My Aged Care — whether it’s cleaning, meals, or personal care for example— this affects you.
Now, don’t worry. I know change can be overwhelming (and let’s be honest, aged care isn’t always the simplest system to start with). That’s exactly why I want to break it down clearly. But keep in mind this a snap shot, there’s a lot of small details I don’t go into here. This is just giving you an idea.
Starting 1 July 2025, the government is rolling out a new program called Support at Home. It’s meant to simplify things — one program instead of two, and more flexibility for you. Sounds good, right? But of course, there are details to understand.
Let’s take a look at what’s changing and what it means for you.
What Is Support at Home?
Support at Home is a new program that will combine and replace:
The Home Care Packages (HCP) program
The Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) program
It’s designed to streamline the way services are delivered to older Australians, especially those who want to stay living independently at home.
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will continue until at least July 2027, so if you receive CHSP services, nothing will change for now.
Why the Change?
The current system can be complicated and hard to navigate. Support at Home aims to:
Simplify access to services
Provide support based on what people actually need
Offer more flexibility and choice
Make the system fairer and more transparent
More Transparency in Fees
There’s been a lot of confusion (and frustration!) about what things cost under the current system. The new model will have clearer pricing, so you’ll know what services cost and how much is going to your provider. You’ll be able to eventually compare providers too.
New Technology and Monitoring
There’ll be better tools in place for monitoring quality, managing services, and tracking what care is being delivered. Providers will need to be more accountable — and that’s a good thing.
What’s Changing in Home Care Packages?
From July 1, there are some pretty enormous changes happening to the Home Care Package (HCP) Programme. These changes are all about making aged care simpler, more personalised, and better suited to help older Australians stay supported at home.
Clearer Classifications for Services
Currently, there are 4 levels of available HCPs, levels 1-4. What you could and couldn’t have included in a HCP could feel vague or inconsistent. We often heard stories of friends or neighbours being allowed x,y or z but then someone else being told no. Now, care and support services will be grouped under classifications, helping everyone—clients, carers, and providers—understand exactly what’s available and what can be accessed under each package. There will now be 8 Classifications.
Levels are out. Classifications are in.
Think of it like better labelling on a pantry—everything’s still there, but now it’s easier to find what you need and know where it fits.
Improved short term support programs:
The Support at Home program has a strong focus on independence at home with the introduction, or strengthening of existing, pathways.
End-of-Life Pathway Palliative care will be a recognised separate pathway under Support at Home, making it easier (in theory) for older Australians to get the right support at the right time. This is a separate budget to support these often complex and highly individual needs.
This new approach hopes to make funding more responsive and compassionate, so people can stay in their own home with proper support in their final weeks or months.
Restorative Care Pathway: The Support at Home program will bring a stronger focus on reconditioning and regaining strength and independence with the Restorative Care Pathway. The Restorative Care Pathway will replace the current Short Term Restorative Care (STRC) Program. In the current system STRC is often underused or poorly managed/utilised.
This shift is about supporting people to live well at home for as long as possible — with the right help at the right time.
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications Scheme: Participants will get upfront access to assistive technology and home modifications through a separate scheme, with a clear list of what’s covered — no need to use care funds for these supports.
There’s 3 new Categories of care services. What are they?
The Support at Home program is designed to make aged care services easier to access and understand. One of the news features is the introduction of three clear care categories. Basically, any care or support service (for example showering, gardening or a meal delivery) will fall into one of three categories.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
Clinical Care
Care which is focused on your health. This includes nursing, wound care, medication management, physiotherapy, and allied health services. It supports your medical and physical wellbeing so you can stay healthy at home.
Independence
Help to stay active and involved. This includes personal care, transport, respite, and social support. Services that help you maintain your independence and confidence in daily life.
Everyday Living
Keeping daily life on track. These are the services that help keep your home safe and liveable — like domestic help, meal preparation and delivery, gardening, and home maintenance. They’re about comfort, safety, and routine.
Support at Home will include a clear list of approved services, making it easier for everyone to understand exactly what care and support is available. No more friends and neighbours getting something and you being told no (again in theory….). The services will clearly fit into one of these three categories.
Eventually these services will also have a capped price list set by the Government, but not this year.
I know what you’re thinking- sounds expensive, right?
Funding is definitely an area of change from the current model. But it’s not all bad news. In fact, if you were a self-funded retiree paying full contributions to your Home Care Package through the income and assets fee you could be better off by the new program.
Under the Support at Home program clients will contribute to the cost of their care based on:
1. What services you receive, and
2. Your income and assets.
This is where the 3 categories of services become important. Each category will involve a different contribution rate. Clinical Care will never require a contribution, the Government will subsidise these 100%.
Client Type Clinical Care Independence Support Everyday Living Support
Full pensioner 0% 5% 17.5%
Part pensioner /
CSHC 0% 5% – 50% 17.5% – 80%
Self-funded retiree 0% 50% 80%
But why? Why couldn’t the previous structure of fees remain?
The new contribution model is aiming to be fairer by:
Protecting people on lower incomes from high care costs
Making sure you only pay for the services you actually use – no more monthly fees for care you didn’t get
Basing what you pay on what you can afford, not a flat rate for everyone
Worried what this might mean to you if you’re currently under the HCP system?
A “no worse off” principle will apply under the new Support at Home program to protect current and soon-to-be care recipients. If, on or before 12 September 2024, you were:
· Receiving a Home Care Package,
· Listed on the National Priority System, or
· Assessed as eligible for a Home Care Package,
You will not be financially disadvantaged by the changes. This means you will make the same or lower contributions than you would have under the current Home Care arrangements. You’ll be no worse off under this new system, they promise!
If you’re already on a Home Care Package, don’t worry — from 1st July, you’ll move over to the new Support at Home program with funding that matches your current package level. It’ll just follow the new rules under the updated system. Think of it as essentially keeping your ‘level’ but under the support at home program. If you are reassessed in the future and your needs have changed, you’ll move over to a ‘classification’.
What About My Rights and Choices?
The new program is part of a wider Aged Care Act overhaul, aimed at:
Strengthening quality and safety standards
Improving consumer rights and transparency
Ensuring providers are more accountable
That means you should have more say in the care you receive and better information to make informed decisions.
We know change can feel overwhelming — especially when it’s to something as personal and important as aged care. The move from the current Home Care Packages to the new Support at Home Program brings plenty of questions, and it’s only natural to feel a little unsure.
But here’s the good news: you’re not on your own.
I’ve given a lot of information here. Stay tuned over the next week as I break it all down further into more bitesize manageable pieces.
And don’t forget, I am here. I can talk you through every step so you are informed and in charge. You deserve it.
