In this guide:
Price caps on aged care services is a new feature introduced by the government as part of the Support at Home program. These take effect from 1 July 2026, but there are a few changes for participants to be aware of in the meantime.
A capped price is the fixed, maximum amount that a Support at Home provider can charge for a particular service or activity. Providers can’t add extra costs like travel, admin or management fees on top. The capped price must include everything.
When do price caps begin?
How do price caps work?
Previously, HCP participants were charged separately for services like cleaning, plus extra costs like travel or administration. This has changed under Support at Home. All those extra costs are now bundled together into one total price for each service.
For example, the total price may include:
- Wages for your aged care workers
- Administration and overheads
- Transport
- Subcontracting, if required.
Providers must make sure that their prices are reasonable and reflect the true cost of delivering each service. You can check what’s considered reasonable by viewing the government’s summary of indicative Support at Home prices.
Before price caps officially begin, providers will need to publish their standard prices on their website and in the My Aged Care Service and Support Portal. The department will monitor the prices with published prices on My Aged Care to make sure they align, are compliant with pricing obligations and are reasonable.
How price caps help you
Price caps help to create fairness and transparency for older Australians across the aged care sector.
They are designed to:
- Make pricing more consistent from one provider to the next
- Help you understand what you are paying for
- Make sure services are delivered at a reasonable cost.
Since the price for a Support at Home service is the full cost of delivering that service, you don’t need to worry about separate fees and charges.
You’ll also be able to see the price of services, including the agreed rates, in your service agreement. This makes it easier to understand how much care you’ve received and how your budget is being used.
Frequently asked questions
What do price caps mean for participants previously receiving a Home Care Package?
If you were receiving a Home Care Package before moving to Support at Home, the prices for your services might be different. Your provider will talk you through any changes before asking you to sign a new service agreement.
You don't have to agree to a new service agreement if you're not comfortable with the prices or if something doesn't make sense. But to start receiving care through Support at Home, you will need to have a signed agreement in place with a registered provider.
Can I change providers if I'm unhappy?
Yes, you can change providers at any time. Providers can't charge entry or exit fees, so you're free to explore your options. Use the Find a Provider tool from My Aged Care to compare providers in your area and choose one that suits you.
Will price caps apply to services on Mable?
Yes. If you're using Mable, independent support workers will need to set their prices in line with government price caps. Whether you're self-managing your Support at Home funding or paying privately, the caps will still apply.
This article, and any of our linked documents or articles, provides our summary of Support at Home terms and is intended for general purposes only. Please contact My Aged Care for information specific to your circumstances.