Support at Home
Program
Learn more about the Australian government changes coming to in-home aged care funding
What is the Support at Home Program?
The Support at Home Program is a new in-home aged care program being introduced by the Australian government on 1 July 2025. It will replace the existing Home Care Packages Program and Short-term Restorative Care Program.
Support at Home aims to provide more effective in-home aged care to support older people to stay independent and at home for longer.
The Support at Home Program will include:
-
Eight support levels: with funding up to approximately $77,709 per year, plus short-term pathways and services -
Quarterly budget: clients can carry over unspent funds of up to $1,000 or 10% of the quarterly budget (whichever is greater). -
Defined service list: under Support at Home, all services will be specified on a service list with clear inclusions and exclusions. -
No separate administration charges: package management costs will be incorporated into service prices rather than charged as separate fees. -
Care management funding set at 10% of all quarterly budgets: this funding will be set aside for providers to deliver care planning, service coordination and to monitor, review and evaluate home care services provided. -
Separate funded Assistive Technology and Home Modifications Scheme: people will be approved at assessment for a separate funding amount for assistive technology and/or home modifications.
Support at Home Program: Support levels
Support at Home will have 8 classifications for ongoing services, replacing the 4 Home Care Package levels. Each classification will have a budget for participants to access services.
- Level 1 support includes an indicative annual budget of $10,696.72
- Level 2 support includes an indicative annual budget of $15,981.68
- Level 3 support includes an indicative annual budget of $21,919.77
- Level 4 support includes an indicative annual budget of $29,545.33
- Level 5 support includes an indicative annual budget of $39,535.04
- Level 6 support includes an indicative annual budget of $47,957.41
- Level 7 support includes an indicative annual budget of $58,122.13
- Level 8 support includes an indicative annual budget of $77,709.00
Support at Home Services
The Support at Home program offers a clear list of services provided, grouped into three categories.
Nursing care
Includes a range of nursing care from registered nurses, enrolled nurses and nursing assistants.
Nutrition
Prescribed supplementary dietary products and aids for conditions related to functional decline or impairment.
Care management
Includes services that contribute to the overall wellbeing of an older person (e.g., care planning; service coordination etc).
Allied health and other therapeutic services
Includes a range of allied health and therapeutic services such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
Restorative care management
Includes specialist coordination services for older people undergoing the time limited Restorative Care Pathway.
Personal care
Includes assistance with self-care activities of daily living, self-administration of medication and continence management.
Social support and community engagement
Includes access to group social support, accompanied activities and outings, cultural support and assistance with personal affairs.
Therapeutic services for independent living
Includes services such as acupuncture, art therapy, chiropractor and remedial massage.
Assistive technology and home modifications
As per the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications list, including wraparound services, maintenance, and repair.
Respite
Includes flexible respite and community and centre-based respite care.
Transport
Includes direct (driver and car provided) and indirect (taxi or rideshare) transport.
Domestic assistance
Includes house cleaning, laundry services and shopping assistance.
Home maintenance and repairs
Includes services such as gardening.
Meals
Includes meal preparation and delivery.
Participants are not automatically eligible for services on the service list. They must be assessed as needing the service, which will be documented in their notice of decision and accompanying support plan.
Additional short-term support
Support at Home also offers the following short-term care programs.
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications
To provide upfront access to equipment, products and home modifications to support older people to safely and independently live in their own home. This funding is in addition to and separate from the ongoing Support at Home funding classifications.
Restorative Care Pathway
Focused on helping older people regain strength and independence through allied health services. Support is available for up to 16 weeks, based on assessment.
End-of-life Pathway
Provides additional in-home support during the last three months of life, aiming to help people remain at home for as long as possible. Funding of up to $25,000 will be available, with 16 weeks to use the funds.
Funding and Budgets
New classifications
Support at Home will have eight funding classifications for ongoing services. These will replace the existing four Home Care Package levels.
The indicative budget amounts are outlined below.
| Support at Home Classification | Quarterly budget | Annual budget |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,674.18 | $10,696.72 |
| 2 | $3,995.42 | $15,981.68 |
| 3 | $5,479.94 | $21,919.77 |
| 4 | $7,386.33 | $29,545.33 |
| 5 | $9,883.76 | $39,535.04 |
| 6 | $11,989.35 | $47,957.41 |
| 7 | $14,530.53 | $58,122.13 |
| 8 | $19,427.25 | $77,709.00 |
Short-term support
| Classification | Budget |
|---|---|
| Restorative Care Pathway | Provides a unit of funding of up to $6,000 (16 weeks). Can access a maximum of 2 units of funding over a 12-month period. |
| End-of-Life Pathway | $25,000 per eligible participant (services are accessible for up to 16 weeks). |
| Assistive Technology and Home Modifications | Based on the assessment you may be eligible for low ($500), medium ($2,000) and high ($15,000*) funding tiers. (Services are accessible for up to 12 months.) |
Participant Contributions
Participant contributions are set by government and paid by participants for services they receive. Payments are based on an assessment by Services Australia of participant income and assets.
| Participant Type | Clinical Supports | Independence Supports | Everyday Living Supports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full pensioner | 0% | 5% | 17.5% |
| Part pensioner and self-funded Commonwealth Seniors Health Card 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
Frequently asked questions
The following people will be entitled to an Aged Care Assessment that establishes eligibility for funding:
• Aged 65 or older (50 or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, or people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness).
No. Home Care Package recipients will automatically transition to Support at Home from 1 July 2025.
If you already have a home care package, you will receive notification from the government about your transition to the new Support at Home program.
For a full list of services that clients can access under the Support at Home Program, visit the Department of Health and Ageing website.
Participants are not automatically eligible for services on the service list. They must be assessed as needing the service, which will be documented in their notice of decision and accompanying support plan.
Contributions in the Support at Home system differ from the Home Care Package Program. Fees will depend on an individual’s funding level and personal circumstances (whether you are a full pensioner, part pensioner, or self-funded retiree).
A no worse off principle will apply to the contributions arrangements for people who on 12 September 2024, were either receiving a Home Care Package, on the National Priority System, or assessed as eligible for a package. These participants will be no worse off because of the reforms and will make the same contributions or lower than they would have had under Home Care Packages Program arrangements.
To some extent, yes. Clients will be able to save funding between quarters to meet unplanned needs. This will be capped at $1,000 or 10% of the value of their quarterly budget (whichever is higher).
Individuals assessed as requiring assistive technology and/or home modifications will not need to save up their funds for these services because additional funding will be provided separately through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications Scheme.
Existing home care recipients with Home Care Package unspent funds balance will retain these funds when transitioning to Support at Home. They may be used for ongoing services when their quarterly budget is exhausted, or for the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications Scheme if required.
The Department of Health and Ageing will continue to publish new resources which we feature on our website here for your convenience.
Read More Articles
The new Australian government Support at Home Program will begin on 1 July 2025. Support at Home will replace the existing Home Care Packages Program and Short-term Restorative Care 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 July 2025, replacing the Home Care Package Program.
For many older Australians, the thought of moving into a nursing home can be daunting. The familiar comfort of one’s own home, filled with cherished memories and personal belongings, is often the preferred environment for ageing gracefully.
If you or a loved one are finding it challenging to manage daily activities at home due to age, disability, or medical conditions, you may be eligible for a home care package assessment.
The desire to maintain independence and remain at home for as long as possible is a top priority for older Australians. This is where home care packages come into play, offering a valuable solution that allows you or your loved one to receive support while continuing to live in familiar surroundings.
As a leading Home Care Package provider in Australia, we understand the importance of receiving quality care and support within the comfort of your own home. The Australian Government’s Home Care Packages program offers four levels of subsidised care, allowing individuals to choose services that best meet their unique needs.
The Home Care Packages (HCP) Program is designed to provide coordinated care and services to help older Australians with complex, age-related care needs live independently and safely in their own homes for as long as possible. However, it’s essential to understand the inclusions and exclusions of the program to ensure appropriate utilisation of funds and services.
