Support at Home
Support at Home replaces the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program on 1 November 2025. It is designed to provide personalised and flexible in-home care, helping older Australians live independently in their own homes for as long as possible.
How to access Support at Home
If you are 65 or older (or over 50 if you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person), you may be eligible for government funded support. Here's how to get started.
If you are new to Aged Care
The first step is to contact My Aged Care to check your eligibility and apply for a free in-home assessment.
My Aged Care
1800 200 422
www.myagedcare.gov.au
If you already have a Home Care Package
If you already have a Home Care Package, or have been approved for a Home Care Package, you will automatically be transitioned to Support at Home.
We will work with you to manage the transition. You do not need to be reassessed, and your services will continue.
Your funding will be the same as your current HCP level and any unspent funds will carry over for you to spend on services, assisted technology or home modifications.
Funding Classifications
Support at Home will offer 8 levels of in-home aged care funding, replacing the 4 levels under the current Home Care Package program.
Your annual budget will be divided into four equal parts, each covering three months. If you don’t spend your budget within a quarter, up to $1,000 or 10% of the quarterly budget (whichever is greater) will be carried over to the next quarter.
If you received a Home Care Package before 12 September 2024, you will be assigned a Support at Home budget that matches your current package level and any unspent funds from your existing package will carry over to be used for assistive technology, home modifications, or additional services.
If your care needs change over time, you will be reassessed and may move to a different Support at Home funding level.
What services are available?
Support at Home offers a wide range of support services so you can continue to live well at home.
Based on your aged care assessment and eligibility, you will have access to an approved list of services.
You will be supported to choose the mix of services you can access within your budget.
Supports are divided into the following categories:
Clinical Care
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Nursing care
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Allied health (including physiotherapy and occupational therapy)
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Continence management
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Diabetes support
Independence
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Personal care (showering, grooming, and dressing)
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Help with taking medication
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Social support
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Transportation
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Respite care
Everyday Living
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Cleaning
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Laundry services
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Gardening
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Home maintenance
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Meal delivery
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Meal preparation
Additional support available (where eligible)
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications
Provides funding for assistive technology and home modifications, helping participants live independently at home for longer.
Restorative Care Pathway
Provides a short-term program of support and services aimed at regaining function and improving daily living skills.
End-of-Life Pathway
Urgent access to a higher level of care and services in the participant's home.
Fees and client contributions
Management fee
Under Support at Home, management fees will be incorporated into the unit prices for each service, rather than being charged separately. Care management funding will be set at 10% of the ongoing quarterly budgets.
Detailed discussions and information about these changes will take place leading up to the program's start (prior to November 2025).
Client contributions
If you do not currently pay an income tested care fee under your Home Care Package, you will not have to pay personal contributions under Support at Home.
If you were approved for a Home Care Package before 12 September 2024 and currently pay an income tested care fee, your contribution should be the same or lower.
If you were approved for a Home Care Package on or after 12 September 2024, your contribution will be assessed by Services Australia, based on an income and asset assessment, and the hours of care you receive.
Updates & Resources
Support at Home Information Webinar
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing held a webinar in August to give older people, their families and carers an update about the Support at Home program starting on 1 November.
The presentation covered the following topics:
• Participant contributions
• How quarterly budgets are managed
• Types of services available.
CLICK HERE for information slides from this webinar.
The introduction of Support at Home has now been delayed until November 2025. Please find below a letter from the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors.
Further information about Support at Home can be found through the Department of Health and Aged Care website at https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home
Please find below some resources provided by the government that may answer some of your questions.
Support at Home program guide for older people, families and carers
New Aged Care Act update - frequently asked questions