29 May 2025
Understanding participant fees under the new Support at Home Program
The Australian government’s aged care reforms are ushering in major changes.
These changes include the introduction of the Support at Home Program which begins on 1 November 2025, replacing the Home Care Package Program.
A key feature of the Support at Home program is participant contributions to services.
Who sets participant contributions?
Participant contributions are set by Services Australia and based on an assessment of participant income and assets.
Contributions will be different for each participant and will be based on:
- the type of service received
- the outcome of a participant’s income and assets assessment, as well as their pension status: full pensioner, part-pensioner, self-funded retiree and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) holder, and self-funded retiree and non-CSHC holder.
Are all services subject to a participant contribution?
No. Support at Home services are divided into three categories: clinical supports, independence, and everyday living. Services in the clinical supports category (e.g., nursing and physiotherapy) will continue to be fully funded by government for all participants.
What are the contribution levels?
Actual contribution rates are determined by Services Australia through an income and assets assessment. The table below outlines the indicative participant contribution rates.
| Participant Type | Clinical Supports | Independence Supports | Everyday Living Supports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full pensioner | 0% | 5% | 17.5% |
| Part pensioner and self-funded Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) holder | 0% | Between 5% and 50%* | Between 17.5% and 80%* |
| Self-funded non Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holder | 0% | 50% | 80% |
*Contributions will be applied on a tapered rate based on the participant’s income and assets assessment
If a person does not provide their income and assets information to Services Australia, they are a ‘means not disclosed’ participant, and their contributions are set are the maximum level.
What does this mean for existing home care package recipients?
A no worse off principle applies if, on 12 September 2024, you were either receiving a Home Care Package, on the National Priority System, or assessed as eligible for a package.
This means you will make the same contributions, or lower, than you would have had under Home Care Package program arrangements, even if you are re-assessed into a higher Support at Home classification at a later date.
The contribution arrangements for existing home care recipients includes:
- If you are a full rate pensioner paying no fees under your Home Care Package as at 12 September 2024, you will never pay fees under Support at Home.
- If you were required to pay fees under your Home Care Package as at 12 September 2024, the contribution rates may change but you will pay the same or less under Support at Home.
- If you are re-assessed after 1 November 2025, you will be allocated a Support at Home classification that is equivalent or higher than your current Home Care Package. The contribution amount you may contribute to the services you receive as part of the reassessment may change, depending on the volume and type of services received.
How do participants pay for their contributions?
Participant contributions are invoiced and collected by the participant’s Support at Home provider.
To learn more about the Support at Home program, click here
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