.svg)
The Support at Home program (launched on 1 November 2025): The next stage of aged care
Support at Home started on 1 November 2025, replacing Home Care Packages. Learn what changed in aged care, new funding levels, and how it affects you.
Author: Sensible Care
The Support at Home program is a major update to Australia's in-home aged care system. It launched on 1 November 2025, replacing Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care. It introduced eight ongoing service classifications and quarterly budgets, ensuring care can adjust as people's needs change. Pricing reforms are staged, with government-set price caps scheduled to apply from 1 July 2026.
Australia's aged care system entered a new era with the launch of the Support at Home program in November 2025.
This Home Care Package reform reshaped how in-home care is delivered. The aim was to improve transparency, strengthen clinical supports, and give older Australians more control to remain safe and independent at home.
This article explains what this change means for older Australians, families, and carers. You'll learn how the new funding levels and quarterly reviews work, as well as which services are included.
We'll also show you how Sensible Care can support you to navigate Support at Home with clarity and confidence.
Key takeaways
- Start date: 1 November 2025 (nationwide)
- What it replaced: Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care
- CHSP timing: the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) continues and is scheduled to transition to Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027
- Who it's for: older Australians who need help to live at home, aged 65+ (50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
- What's new: 8 ongoing classifications, quarterly budgets, and care management funded via a 10% deduction from quarterly budgets for ongoing services
- Pricing reform: providers continue to set prices during the transition period; government-set price caps are scheduled from 1 July 2026
What changed in 2025?
On 1 November 2025, Australia's aged care system underwent one of its biggest updates in years.
The Support at Home program is a new program for in-home aged care. It replaced Home Care Packages (HCP) and the Short-Term Restorative Care program.
The change introduced a more structured way to fund and deliver care at home, covering:
- Structure and budgets
- Services and clinical support
- Care planning and management
- Costs, pricing, and consumer protections
You can access your support faster, manage your budget better, and align your care with needs more closely.
Structure and budgets
Under the new model, the government now uses eight funding levels instead of the four Home Care Package levels.
This means your care plan and budget are better matched to your level of need. This applies to those who need minimal help with daily tasks or intensive ongoing clinical care.
Each funding level comes with a set annual budget. Budgets now roll out quarterly, with reviews every three months. These regular check-ins ensure your care plan continues to suit your circumstances and that your funding is being used effectively.
If you don't spend all your quarterly budget, you can carry some of the leftover amount into the next quarter. But only up to a limit. You can carry over up to the greater of $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget (whichever is higher).
Services and clinical supports
The new Support at Home program covers a broad range of in-home services, building on what was previously available through Home Care Packages.
Funded supports include:
- Personal care (help with showering, dressing, or grooming)
- Domestic services (cleaning, laundry, and meal preparation)
- Transport (to appointments or community activities)
- Allied health (physiotherapy, podiatry, and occupational therapy)
- Nursing services
- Assistive technology (equipment like mobility aids, safety alarms, or modified utensils)
- Home modifications (ramps, handrails, or accessible bathrooms)
- Restorative and rehabilitation services (short-term programs to improve independence)
- End-of-life care and palliative support
A major improvement is the stronger focus on clinical care.
Nursing and allied health services should be easier to access, and providers should have clearer guidelines for delivering them.
The program also invests more in early intervention and restorative care. This supports people to stay mobile, independent, and active in their homes for longer.
Care planning and management
Every Support at Home participant receives care management through their provider.
In other words, you will be working with a care partner to plan and review care and services. This can be someone who helps plan, coordinate, and manage care.
This replaces much of the administrative complexity of HCP providers.
Around 10% of each person's budget automatically goes to care management. This ensures ongoing oversight and regular updates to your care plan, helping to adjust supports quickly when your needs change.
Participants can request a support plan review when needs change. Reviews can be initiated through My Aged Care pathways.
Costs, pricing, and consumer protections
Government subsidies remain a central part of the Support at Home program.
However, as with previous systems, individuals may still contribute to the cost of their care depending on income and the services they use.
One of the biggest consumer reforms was the introduction of price caps and clearer fee rules, starting on 1 July 2026.
Providers can no longer set widely varying fees for similar services. These caps will make pricing fairer and easier to compare.
The government has also confirmed lifetime caps on income-tested fees. This is a legal safeguard ensuring that no one pays more than a set total amount for their care throughout their lifetime.
Grandfathered participants (those approved for or receiving a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024) have a lifetime cap of $84,571.66. Those assessed after this date have a cap of $135,318.69 (both indexed twice yearly).
These measures aim to make aged care pricing more transparent and predictable. They will reduce unexpected costs for older Australians and their families.
Transition of other programs
Home Care Packages and the Short-Term Restorative Care program ended in November 2025.
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will continue for now. The government has announced that CHSP will stay in place until July 2027, but not earlier than that.
Work is already underway to plan how CHSP will eventually merge with Support at Home.
This will happen gradually to ensure that people receiving low-level support are not disrupted and that providers have time to adjust.
Key differences: Support at Home vs. Home Care Packages
What this means for you
The Support at Home program brings significant changes for older Australians, their families, and their care providers.
Here's what to expect depending on your situation.
If you previously received a Home Care Package (HCP)
You generally did not need to reapply purely because of the program change. Transitioned participants moved into Support at Home arrangements.
Former HCP recipients have been placed in a funding level that matches their needs and support. These levels are now known as classifications.
Your provider should explain how your current services work under Support at Home. If anything is unclear, like your budget or fees, ask for a written breakdown of costs and a copy of your monthly statement.
Over time, your provider may recommend changes to better match your needs. You can request a support plan review if your circumstances change.
If you want to apply for the first time
New applicants will enter the system directly through My Aged Care, which remains the national entry point for aged care services.
Once you register, you'll go through an updated assessment process. This new system is designed to better understand your health, lifestyle, home environment, and support needs.
Based on that assessment, you'll be assigned one of the eight new funding levels.
You and your Support Partner will develop your care plan together. They will also help you decide how to use your budget.
Budgets go under review every three months to make sure they still meet your needs. This means you'll have more tailored support and a clearer sense of how your funding is being used from the start.
If you're a family member or carer
Families and carers also benefit from the changes.
With quarterly reviews built into every care plan, there is a more structured approach to monitoring your loved one's wellbeing.
The dedicated care management portion of each budget (around 10%) means there will always be someone keeping an eye on how things are going.
This includes:
- Coordinating appointments
- Arranging new services
- Ensuring your loved one's care remains consistent and safe
Care managers can quickly change plans if your needs change. You can always talk to them about updates to your health, daily life, or housing.
This new approach also means:
- Fewer administrative hassles
- More transparency
- Better communication between families, providers, and health professionals
Practical examples of support
The Support at Home program adapts as your needs change, offering flexible, clinically supported care that grows with you.
Here's a common example showing how the new system works in practice:
George, aged 85, lives with multiple chronic conditions, including diabetes and a heart condition.
He requires regular nursing care and daily help managing his medications. He's assessed under the highest Support at Home funding level.
His plan includes:
- Regular home visits from a community nurse for wound care and medication management
- Allied health services such as dietitian support and podiatry to help manage his diabetes
- Assistive equipment, like a hospital-style adjustable bed and mobility aid
- Respite care for his wife, who is his primary carer
Because clinical care is now easier to access, George's nursing and allied health services are fully funded, with no out-of-pocket costs.
His Support Partner oversees coordination between the nurse, GP, and allied health team, ensuring all providers agree.
When George's health changes, the care plan can be updated quickly during the next quarterly review.
This system provides reliable care, which helps avoid going to the hospital and lowers stress for the family.
How to access Support at Home services
Access to Support at Home starts through My Aged Care, which remains the national entry point for aged care support.
In most cases, the process follows these steps:
- Contact My Aged Care to register and explain what support you need.
- Complete an assessment, where your health, daily living needs, and home situation are reviewed.
- Receive your outcome, including your funding classification and support plan (based on the assessment).
- Choose or confirm your provider, who will work with you to organise services and explain costs.
- Start services and review as needed—if your needs change, your plan can be reviewed and adjusted.
FAQ
Do I need to reapply if I previously had a Home Care Package (HCP)?
Generally, no. Former HCP participants transitioned into Support at Home. If you're uncertain about your classification, budget, or contributions, contact your provider or My Aged Care.
Will I lose my existing services or funding?
People who transitioned from Home Care Packages are placed into a Support at Home funding level that matches their current support needs. What you receive will still be based on your assessment and your approved care plan.
How will my care plan be managed?
Your provider delivers care management, and you work with a care partner (provider staff) to plan and review services. For ongoing services, care management is funded via a 10% deduction from the quarterly budget.
When will price caps and new fee rules start?
Government-set price caps are scheduled to apply from 1 July 2026.
How Sensible Care can help you transition to Support at Home
The Support at Home program marked a major shift in how aged care is delivered across Australia.
At Sensible Care, we're here to make that transition as easy and stress-free as possible.
Our experienced team understands how these changes affect you and your family, from funding levels and service options to care planning and clinical support.
We'll work with you to:
- Review your current care plan and explain how it fits under the new system
- Help you understand your funding level and entitlements
- Develop a personalised care plan that reflects your goals, health, and lifestyle
- Coordinate services and clinical care so everything runs smoothly
With Sensible Care by your side, you'll have the clarity and reassurance you need to make informed choices about your in-home care.
Take the Next Step in Care
Download our Info Kit or speak to one of our friendly team members today.
Explore More Helpful Reads
More stories, guides, and updates to support you and your family.
Need Help Getting Started?
Reach out on your terms, pick a time that suits you and let’s talk about how we can help.
.webp)