How care management funding works under Support at Home
One of the most significant improvements in Australia's Support at Home program is the way care management is funded. Under the previous Home Care Package system, providers could charge separate administration fees, package management fees, and case management fees. With some providers, these costs could consume as much as 35 to 40 per cent of a client's annual package before a single service was delivered.
Support at Home, which commenced on 1 November 2025, brought a standardised approach to care management funding. Understanding how it works, and how provider service rates still affect your overall value, is essential to making the most of your care budget.
What is care management under Support at Home?
Care management refers to the coordination and administrative work your provider does on your behalf. This includes developing your care plan, organising and scheduling services, managing your budget, monitoring your safety and wellbeing, and responding to changes in your needs.
All registered Support at Home providers are required to deliver a baseline level of care management as part of the program. This ensures you have appropriate oversight of your care, regardless of which provider you choose.
How is care management funded?
Under Support at Home, 10 per cent of your quarterly budget is automatically deducted for care management before the remainder is available for services. This is a fixed deduction that applies to all clients under the program.
Importantly, this is the only administrative cost your provider can draw from your budget. Separate administration fees, package management fees, and exit fees are no longer permitted under the new system.
To put it in practical terms: if your quarterly budget is $7,424 (Classification 4), $742.40 goes to care management and the remaining $6,681.60 is available for direct services.
What does the care management deduction cover?
The care management deduction is intended to cover the essential coordination and administrative work your provider performs, including:
Developing and reviewing your Support at Home care plan
Coordinating and scheduling your services
Monitoring your wellbeing and responding to changes in your needs
Managing your quarterly budget and providing regular statements
Communicating with My Aged Care and Services Australia on your behalf
Ensuring your services comply with the Aged Care Act 2024 and program requirements
If you're unsure how your provider is applying the deduction, it's reasonable to ask for a clear explanation. Your quarterly statement should show the care management deduction and all services delivered.
What about client contributions?
The care management deduction is not the only cost you need to be aware of. Depending on your financial situation, you may also be asked to contribute a percentage of the cost of some services you receive. These are called client contributions, and they are separate from the care management deduction.
Under Support at Home, services fall into three categories, and your contribution rate depends on which category a service sits in:
Clinical services such as nursing, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy are fully funded by the government. You pay no contribution for these at all.
Independence services such as personal care attract a moderate contribution rate, which varies based on your income, assets, and pension status.
Everyday living services such as domestic assistance, gardening, and meal preparation attract the highest contribution rates.
Full Age Pensioners generally pay the lowest contribution rates, while self-funded retirees pay the most. Your contribution rates are determined through an income and assets assessment conducted by Services Australia. Lifetime caps apply, which means there is a limit on the total amount you will ever be asked to contribute while receiving care.
It is worth noting that because contributions are calculated as a percentage of the service price, choosing a provider with lower hourly rates reduces not just how far your funded budget stretches, but also how much you pay out of pocket. This is another reason why Trilogy Care's competitive pricing model works in your favour.
How is this different from the previous Home Care Package system?
Under the previous Home Care Package system, fee structures were set by individual providers and could be complex and difficult to compare. Many providers charged a combination of:
A package management fee
A separate case management or care coordination fee
An administration fee for other overheads
An exit fee when clients left the provider
Under Support at Home, the single 10 per cent care management deduction replaces all of these separate charges. No exit fees are permitted. No additional package management fees can be charged on top of the care management deduction.
Does the care management deduction apply to self-managed clients?
Yes. The 10 per cent deduction applies to all clients, including those who self-manage. However, the nature of care management activities differs for self-managed clients compared to those in fully coordinated arrangements.
Self-managed clients take on a greater role in arranging and coordinating their own services. They choose their own workers, negotiate rates, and manage their service schedules directly. This means the care management work required from the provider is reduced in scope.
At Trilogy Care, self-managed clients benefit from our transparent, low-cost model. We handle the governance, safety, compliance, and claims administration, while you retain control over who delivers your services and when.
How does this affect total value?
While the standardised care management deduction is a genuine improvement, it's important to understand that it's only part of the picture. The hourly rates your provider charges for services are the other major factor that determines how far your budget stretches.
Even with the same 10 per cent care management deduction, a provider charging $135 per hour for domestic assistance will deliver significantly fewer care hours than one charging $66 per hour. Over a year, that difference can amount to hundreds of hours of care.
This is why Trilogy Care's transparent, competitive pricing model matters. Lower service rates mean more of your post-care-management budget goes directly to the services you need.
Want to see how much of your Support at Home budget actually goes to direct care? Call Trilogy Care on 1300 459 190 or visit trilogycare.com.au/pricing for a transparent comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Can my provider charge more than 10 per cent for care management?
No. Under the Support at Home program, 10 per cent of your quarterly budget is the fixed amount deducted for care management. Providers cannot charge additional administration fees, package management fees, or exit fees on top of this. If you have concerns about your provider's fees, you can contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
Are there any other fees my provider can charge from my funded budget?
No. The only amounts that can be drawn from your funded budget are the 10 per cent care management deduction and the cost of your approved services. A provider can offer additional services outside your funded budget under a private agreement, but you would pay for those entirely yourself.
Do I have to pay contributions on top of the care management deduction?
Possibly, yes. Whether you pay contributions, and how much, depends on your income, assets, and pension status, as well as the type of services you receive. Clinical services such as nursing and physiotherapy attract no contribution. Independence and everyday living services attract participant contributions that vary based on your means assessment. Services Australia will notify you and your provider of your applicable contribution rates.
How do I know if my provider is applying the care management deduction correctly?
Your provider is required to give you regular statements showing your quarterly budget, the care management deduction, and all services delivered with their costs. Review your statements each quarter. If anything is unclear, ask your provider to explain. Trilogy Care's client portal gives you real-time visibility over your budget and spending at any time.
What happens to the care management deduction if my care needs are very low?
The 10 per cent care management deduction applies to all clients as a standard part of the Support at Home program. If your care needs are low, your overall budget will be lower, reflecting your classification level, but the deduction percentage remains the same. The focus should be on ensuring your provider delivers full value through competitive service rates and responsive coordination.
