Aged care reform update

Support at Home starts 1 November – what it means for you

Australia’s in-home care system for older Australians is changing from 1 November 2025.

The Government’s new Support at Home program will replace the current Home Care Packages program and the biggest change is how participant contributions will be managed.

Here is an easy guide to help you understand how the transition will affect you if you’re currently receiving Home Care services.

If you have a Home Care package that was in place or approved before 12 September 2024:

• Your contribution arrangements will not change. The government’s “no worse off” principle applies to you, which means you will not pay more than you do under your current Home Care Package.
• From 1 November, our service rates for each service will be updated under the new program. This simply means the value of our services may look a little different, but your overall contribution will continue as it is now.

If you have a Home Care package that was approved on or after 12 September 2024:

• You will transition to a Support at Home package from 1 November where you will be required to make contributions towards certain services. Your contributions will be set under the new Support at Home rules, which will be based on your income and assets assessment carried out by the Government.
• You will be asked to contribute towards the cost of some non-clinical services (for example, domestic assistance, meals, and transport). The government sets a schedule of standard service prices and applies a contribution framework that outlines how much you may be expected to pay.

What this means for anyone with a Home Care package:

• You will only ever contribute towards the services you receive.
• Clinical services such as nursing and physiotherapy will remain fully government-funded.
• Safeguards, including contribution caps and financial hardship provisions, are in place to ensure costs remain fair.

If you are receiving home care services funded through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP):

• The government has formally extended the CHSP program until at least 1 July 2027. After which it will transition to the Support at Home program.