As the new Support at Home program approaches, it’s natural to feel uncertain about how these changes will affect the support you receive through your Home Care Package. However, Support at Home is designed to enhance the care experience for individuals receiving home care.
What is changing with Support at Home?
In a previous article, we outlined some of the changes coming with the transition to Support at Home. Now that more information is available, we can provide further details.
Unspent funds
As you may know, existing care recipients will transition to Support at Home on 1 July 2025. Your Support at Home package will match your current funding level.
But what happens to any unspent funds you’ve accumulated?
You will retain any unspent funds accrued under your Home Care Package. These funds can continue to be used for ongoing services or as part of the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme, which is designed for home improvements.
How is the income tested care fee changing?
If you currently pay an income tested care fee, it’s important to know how the changes will affect your payments.
You will still be required to pay a contribution, but this will be at an individualised discounted rate to ensure that you do not pay more than you currently do under the Home Care Package.
If you currently do not pay an income tested care fee, you won’t be required to pay additional fees under the new system. This ensures that no one is financially disadvantaged by the transition.
Can I still self-manage?
Yes, self-management will still be available under Support at Home. Current Home Care Package recipients can continue to manage their own care and support through Trilogy Care.
What do the new funding classifications mean?
Support at Home will introduce eight classifications for ongoing services, replacing the four Home Care Package levels. Each classification comes with a budget for participants to access services.
Here are the classifications and their approximate funding levels (these figures are yet to be finalised):
| Classification | Quarterly budget | Annual amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ~$2,750 | ~$11,000 |
| 2 | ~$4,000 | ~$16,000 |
| 3 | ~$5,500 | ~$22,000 |
| 4 | ~$7,500 | ~$30,000 |
| 5 | ~$10,000 | ~$40,000 |
| 6 | ~$12,000 | ~$48,000 |
| 7 | ~$14,500 | ~$58,000 |
| 8 | ~$19,500 | ~$78,000 |
What if I was already receiving funding?
If you’re currently receiving Home Care Package funding, you’ll transition to the following amounts:
| Transitioned home care recipients | Quarterly budget | Annual amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,708 | $10,833 |
| 2 | $4,762 | $19,049 |
| 3 | $10,365 | $41,460 |
| 4 | $15,713 | $62,853 |
What is the AT-HM Scheme and how does it impact my funds?
Support at Home will also introduce the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme, which gives care recipients access to assistive technology and home modifications without needing to save funds from their individual budgets.
The proposed funding amounts are as follows:
| Funding tier | Amount |
|---|---|
| Low | Under $500 |
| Medium | Up to $2,000 |
| High | Up to $15,000 |
This scheme will allow you to receive more care hours without sacrificing essential technology or home modifications.
When will more information about Support at Home be available?
As the launch of Support at Home draws closer, more information will be shared.
We are committed to keeping you informed and providing updates so that you feel confident about the new system. In the meantime, you can learn more by visiting this this link.
If you require Home Care now, please give us a call on 1300 459 190 or contact us online.
