The Home Care Package program is changing to Support at Home. Here’s what that means for current recipients.
Image: A carer smiles at an older woman in a wheelchair while touching her shoulders.
With the Australian Government delaying the start of the new Aged Care Act until 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program will now commence from 1 November 2025. This program will replace the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will transition from 1 July 2027.
The Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care (the Department) have released some information about how Support at Home will work, but have deferred the start date to allow providers to better prepare and give participants more time to understand the changes and make informed decisions.
While full details are being finalised, here is a summary of what the Department has released about changes for current HCP recipients:
Image: A carer shows an older couple sitting on a bed how to use a laptop computer.
HCP clients move to Support at Home at their current funding level
Current HCP recipients, and those waiting for a Home Care Package, will automatically move to the Support at Home program. No reassessment is needed, and you will get funding equal to your current HCP level.
Retention of unspent HCP funds
If you have any HCP unspent funds, you will keep these funds until they are exhausted. Unspent funds can be used for assistive technology and home modifications or additional services if the quarterly budget is used up.
Quarterly budgets
The yearly Home Care Package amount will be split into four equal parts, each covering three months. If you don't spend your budget within the quarter, up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget (whichever is higher) is carried over to the next quarter.
Defined service list
All Support at Home services will be defined in the service list, with clear inclusions and exclusions.
Pricing structure changes
From 1 November, the pricing structure will change. Package management costs will be included in the unit prices for each service, not charged separately. Care management funding will be set at 10% of all ongoing quarterly budgets. Discussions and information about pricing changes will begin in the lead up to the program commencing (prior to 1 November 2025).
Client contributions
How much you will need to contribute towards your services depends on when you were assessed as eligible for a Home Care Package.
Assessed as eligible on or before 12 September
If you were either receiving a Home Care Package, assessed as eligible, or on the National Priority System on or before 12 September 2024, ‘a no worse off principle’ applies and you will pay no more than you are currently paying. This means:
if you are not currently paying an Income Tested Care Fee, you will not be expected to make a Client Contribution towards your Support at Home Services.
if you are currently paying an Income Tested Care Fee, you will pay the equivalent or less as a Client Contribution towards your services. The exact amounts will be determined and communicated to you by Services Australia.
Assessed as eligible after 12 September
If you were assessed as eligible for a package or entered the National Priority System after 12 September 2024, the Australian Government has introduced client contributions for Support at Home services you receive.
Under the new Support at Home guidelines, you will pay a percentage of your Independence and Everyday services as a client contribution. You will not need to pay for clinical services.
Services Australia will write to you to tell you what your contribution percentages will be. They may ask you to complete an income and asset to do this.
More details on client contributions available in the Support at Home program handbook.
How to stay updated
The Department are still finalising the Support at Home program design, and changes are ongoing.
Life Without Barriers is working through the requirements of the new program as they are announced to help enable a smooth transition for the people we support and their families. This page will be updated regularly as new information is released, and changes that impact you will be communicated directly.
To get the latest updates from the Department of Health and Aged Care about the aged care reforms, including Support at Home, subscribe to the EngAged newsletter or visit the Support at Home website.
Note: This information is current as of 4 June 2025. Check the Support at Home website for the most up-to-date information.
