The Support at Home program is launching on 1 November 2025, replacing the current Home Care Package (HCP) program. This marks a major shift in the way aged care is delivered in Australia, and it comes with several changes that older people and their loved ones should understand.
In this article, we'll explore the main differences between Home Care Packages and the incoming Support at Home program.*
A single assessment process
Home Care Package
Assessments were previously managed by different organisations, including Regional Assessment Services (RAS), Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs), and independent assessors. Older people typically began with an ACAT assessment by one team, and may have had multiple assessors as their needs changed.
Support at Home
The Single Assessment System has already been introduced to streamline this process. One single workforce now handles all aged care assessments, and participants will be assessed by the same organisation throughout their aged care journey.
Faster access to funding
Home Care Package
Wait times for HCPs can vary widely, ranging from a few months to over a year, depending on the level of care needed and individual circumstances. Generally, higher-level packages have longer wait times.
Support at Home
The new Support at Home priority system will guide the allocation of Support at Home funding based on standardised criteria. Wait times are expected to progressively reduce, with a target of three months between approval and funding assignment by July 2027.
Expanded funding levels
Home Care Package
Currently, there are four funding levels based on care needs:
- Level 1: Basic care needs (~$11,000 per year)
- Level 2: Low-level care needs (~$19,000 per year)
- Level 3: Intermediate care needs (~$42,000 per year)
- Level 4: High-level care needs (~$63,000 per year).
Funding is allocated annually, and any unspent funds can accumulate in a participant's account over time.
Support at Home program
There will be eight funding levels, known as classifications, offering a more detailed scale of care needs:
- Classification 1: ~$11,000 per year
- Classification 2: ~$16,000 per year
- Classification 3: ~$22,000 per year
- Classification 4: ~$30,000 per year
- Classification 5: ~$40,000 per year
- Classification 6: ~$48,000 per year
- Classification 7: ~$58,000 per year
- Classification 8: ~$78,000 per year.
Annual funding will now be divided into quarterly budgets. Participants can carry over up to $1,000 or 10% of unspent funds (whichever is greater) into the next quarter.
New short-term funding options
Home Care Package
Short-term care is available, but limited. The Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) offers up to eight weeks of support to help prevent or delay long-term care. Technology and home modifications are currently funded through the participant's package budget.
Support at Home
New service type categories
New and expanded options will be introduced. These are:
- The Restorative Care Pathway: This replaces the Short Term Restorative Care program (STRC) and now includes up to 12 weeks of support, with a budget of $6,000 up to $12,000 for allied health services.
- The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme: A dedicated budget to help cover assistive devices or home changes. Funding tiers range from $500 to $15,000 over a period of 12 months.
- The End-of-Life Pathway: Funding for eligible participants who wish to spend their final months at home. It offers up to $25,000 for more intensive care over a three-month period.
Home Care Package
Services are currently defined individually, and contribution rates are not based on the type of service received.
Support at Home
Services will be grouped into three main categories:
- Clinical supports: includes nursing and allied health
- Independence: includes personal care and support to access the community
- Everyday living: includes domestic assistance and meal preparation
Each category will have a different participant contribution rate.
View the full list of Support at Home services to see how specific supports are classified.
Participant contributions
Under Home Care Package
Participants may pay a basic daily fee and an income-tested care fee, depending on their financial situation. For example, this is currently:
- Basic Daily Fee: Up to $13.08 per day or $4,774 annually
- Income-Tested Fee: Up to $18.77 per day for participants who have the means
Support at Home
A new national contribution framework will apply, where participant contribution amounts are based on the service received, as well as a participant's financial situation. Daily fees will no longer apply.
Co-contribution amounts vary by service category, as outlined below:
- Clinical supports – no contribution required
- Independence – moderate contributions (between 5–50%)
- Everyday living – highest contributions (between 17.5–80%). Participants will be asked to undergo an income and asset assessment in order to determine their contribution rates. There is a lifetime cap of $130,000 for participant contributions.
Contributions are based on a 'no worse off applying to all participants who, as of 12 September 2024, were either:
- Receiving a home care package;
- On the National Priority System awaiting a home care package; OR
- Assessed as eligible for a home care package
This means these participants will make the same contributions, or lower, than they would have had under the current Home Care Package program arrangements.
New pricing plus incoming service price caps
Home Care Package
Providers set their own care management fees and service prices. There is currently a wide variation between providers, and they may also charge additional fees such as case management and travel fees.
Support at Home
Under the Support at Home program, a 10% cap will apply to all providers, meaning that they cannot charge participants more than 10% of their total package budget for care management. From 1 July 2026, fixed price caps on services will come into effect. These will place limits on how much providers can charge in total for individual services.
Transitional arrangements
From 1 November 2025, all older people currently receiving a Home Care Package will automatically transition to the new Support at Home program. This also includes older people who were on the National Priority System prior to 1 November 2025. Participants will not need to reapply or undergo immediate reassessment unless their needs change.
In relation to participant contributions, a ‘no worse-off' principle applies for those referred to as ‘grandfathered HCP recipients'. These are participants who, on or before 12 September 2024, were either receiving a Home Care Package, on the National Priority System, or assessed as eligible for a package.
The government has stated that transitional arrangements will be put in place to ensure continuity of care, and older people will be informed well in advance of any required changes.
For more details about the transition from Home Care Packages to Support at Home, read the Support at Home Program Booklet, or speak with your current provider.
Keeping you informed
Support at Home marks a big change, but the focus is on creating quality care that better suits the needs of older Australians.
We will continue to share updates, guides and practical tips as the rollout continues, helping older people, families and support workers feel informed and supported at every stage.
*The information in this article is a general summary only and is not intended to be relied on as advice or specific to your circumstances. Please refer to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing for further information about Support at Home.
