Support at Home Program Changes for Existing Clients

Support at Home is Coming – What it Means for Current HCP Clients

The Home Care Packages program is transitioning to the new Support at Home model. If you’re already receiving a package, there’s no need to worry – your care won’t stop, and you won’t need to go through reassessment when the change begins.

What’s different is how your care will be structured and delivered moving forward:

	Your existing package level will convert to a comparable Support at Home budget
	You’ll have more flexibility, with funding provided every three months
	The number of support levels is expanding from 4 to 8 tiers, allowing more precise alignment with your needs
	Care management costs will be capped at 10%, so more of your funding goes toward direct support
	2 short-term supports via the Restorative Care Pathway and End-of-Life Pathway
	Upfront funding for assistive technology and home modifications (AT-HM Scheme)

These updates aim to simplify your experience and ensure your care grows with you, without disrupting the support you rely on. As the Support at Home program takes shape, we’ll keep you in the loop with any new updates. The government will continue to release information, and we’ll make sure you hear about what matters: clearly explained and tailored to your situation, so you always know what to expect.

Download customer factsheet

What services will be available under Support at Home?

Under the new model, the types of services you can receive will remain similar, including personal care, nursing, allied health, domestic help, and home modifications, but they’ll now be grouped into three simple categories:

Clinical Supports

Services like nursing, wound care, and physiotherapy. These will be fully covered by the government, with no out-of-pocket contribution required.

Independence

Includes personal care, assistive technology, home modifications, and other services that help you remain independent at home. A moderate co-contribution may apply based on your financial situation.

Everyday living

Domestic assistance, gardening, meal prep and social support. These services will require a higher level of co-contribution, depending on the service and your financial capacity.

You’ll still have the flexibility to tailor services to your goals – but with a clearer structure and simpler funding system. And most importantly, you’ll continue to work with your provider to adjust your support as your needs change.

Short-term Supports

If you’re currently receiving a Home Care Package, you’ll be glad to know that Support at Home includes dedicated short-term support pathways – designed to help you stay independent for longer or receive end-of-life care at home when needed.

Restorative Care Pathway

This pathway offers short-term allied health and reablement services, helping you regain or maintain your independence. You can receive support for up to 12 weeks, with a possible 4-week extension — an improvement from the 8-week cap under the STRC program.

End-of-Life Pathway

If you or a loved one is nearing the end of life, this new pathway offers up to $25,000 in flexible support over 16 weeks, making it easier to stay at home with dignity and comfort. A fast-tracked assessment is available, and you don’t need to already be on Support at Home to qualify.

Download customer factsheet

Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme for Existing Customers

Starting 1 November 2025, if you’re already receiving Support at Home, the AT-HM Scheme will provide upfront funding for assistive technology and home modifications. This means you won’t need to use part of your existing care budget to pay for these items.

Funding is available in three tiers: Low (under $500), Medium (up to $2,000), and High (up to $15,000). In some cases, additional funding can be approved if recommended by an allied health professional.

The scheme also supports changes in your needs over time, allowing equipment to be replaced or upgraded with professional guidance; all without affecting your usual care budget.

Participants' contributions

How much will it cost me?

From November 2025, Support at Home will introduce a new way of handling contributions, ensuring they’re fair and based on the actual services you receive. As an existing Home Care Package recipient, you’ll continue to receive government-funded care, and under the new program, you’ll only contribute toward the support and items you use. The amount you pay will depend on the type of service and your financial situation.

The program will replace the current four Home Care Package levels with eight new service classifications, each linked to a specific budget based on a person’s assessed needs. As an existing HCP recipient, you won’t be reassessed (unless your needs change), instead you’ll be allocated a budget aligned with your current package level or the level you’ve been approved for.

Indicative classification budgets

Support at Home funding tiers — Source: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (Click table to expand)

Participant contributions

Source: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (Click table to expand)

Download customer factsheet

What Happens to Your Unspent Funds?

If you’re currently receiving a Home Care Package, any unspent funds in your package will be transferred to the new Support at Home program. This means that funds you’ve accumulated but not yet used will remain available to you, ensuring continuity of care without financial loss.

Automatic Transfer: Unspent funds will be carried over to your new Support at Home budget, allowing you to continue using them for your care needs.
No Financial Loss: You won’t lose any unspent funds during the transition. These funds will be preserved and accessible under the new program.
Continued Access: Your provider will assist in managing and utilizing these funds as part of your ongoing care plan.

For more information, please visit the My Aged Care website.

CHSP Participants: If you’re currently receiving services through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), there will be no immediate changes. The CHSP will continue as usual and won’t transition to the Support at Home program until after 1 July 2027.

Approved before 12 September 2024

Case Study: Patricia – Level 3 HCP since 2022

Patricia, 81, has been receiving care under a Level 3 Home Care Package since 2022. Under the current system, her annual budget is approximately $28,000, which under Support at Home will be broken into quarterly budgets of about $7,000 each.

At the time of transition to Support at Home on 1 Nov 2025, Patricia had around $1,850 in unspent funds from her previous package. These funds will carry over, adding to her new quarterly budget.

For example, in the first quarter under Support at Home, Patricia’s total available funds will be about $8,850 ($7,000 standard quarterly budget + $1,850 carried over). If she only uses $7,500 during this quarter, the remaining $1,350 can be carried into the next quarter – noting that the program allows up to $1,000 carryover per quarter, so $1,000 will roll over, and the extra $350 may be subject to program rules.

In the second quarter, Patricia’s budget resets to the standard $7,000 plus the $1,000 carried over from the first quarter, giving her $8,000 to manage her care needs.

Her care management fees remain capped at 10%, and she continues to pay contributions only for services like gardening or domestic assistance, while clinical care such as physiotherapy is fully subsidised.

Looking to switch to Respect?

Our promise is to be by your side, when you need us. Our process of working together is simple in 3 steps:

#1 Let's get to know each other.

Give us a call anytime! Our team is here to help you navigate the process and make things simple for you. No question is a bad question, so before our talk, make a list! Whether you're just starting the application, or wanting to make a switch from your current provider, simply let us know and we'll guide you through the process step-by-step.

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FAQs

1. Will I need to be reassessed for the Support at Home program?

If you’re already approved for a Home Care Package before 12 September 2024, you won’t need a new assessment when the program starts. Your current level will carry over, but you can request a reassessment if your care needs change.

2. Will I keep my existing supplements?

Yes, existing supplements will continue under Support at Home, ensuring you receive the extra support you currently have.

3. What about my current services?

Your services will continue as usual under Support at Home, with budgets allocated based on your existing package level.

4. What happens if my needs change?

If your care needs increase or change, you can request a reassessment to move to a higher support level and receive additional funding.

5. Will my fees or contributions change?

Your contributions depend on your service use and financial situation. The ‘no-worse off’ principle protects you from unexpected increases due to the program change.

6. Who can I contact if I have questions or concerns?

You can reach out to your current care provider or contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. If you’re an existing Respect client, please connect with your Care Manager or give us a call on 1300 144 144.

7. How can I switch to Respect before the transition?

Yes, you can contact us to assist you with the transition. Book your free consultation with one of our care advisors. We’ll help make the switch smooth and keep your care uninterrupted.

Looking to switch to Respect? Book a free consultation

Why choose Respect?

As we age, many of us will require or benefit from physical, emotional, and community support. And while there are plenty of options for aged care facilities, more Australians are looking at ways to continue living independently, at home. Respect have extended their service offering to allow more seniors to stay in the home for as long as possible.

Respect is a community-centred not-for-profit organisation, that has been in the aged care space since 1922. Our focus is on giving back to the ageing population, by fostering communities of belonging. When it comes to aged care services in the home, our team are there to ensure that each client is able to maintain independence, dignity, and respect.

We’ll work with you and your family to find the right level of care for your unique set of circumstances. At Respect, we’re here to help you navigate this next stage of life with ease.

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