The Home Care Package program will be replaced by the Support at Home program from 1 July 2025. As part of the aged care reforms, all Home Care Package recipients will be transitioned to this new system. The Support at Home program has been developed to enable more funding, provide a higher quality of care, and improve the overall system as Australia’s population continues to age.
No Worse Off Principle
To ensure all Home Care Package recipients continue to receive the funding they need, the “No worse off” principle has been introduced. This ensures that your funding will not be reduced during the transition to the new system.
Moving to Support at Home
The introduction of the Support at Home program allows individuals with a Home Care Package to maintain their funding level and keep any unspent funds. This ensures that no care recipient will lose the care they need under the new system.
The “No worse off principle” will apply to contributions arrangements for people who, as of 12 September 2024, were either receiving a Home Care Package, on the National Priority System, or assessed as eligible for a package. These participants will not face higher contributions compared to what they would have paid under the Home Care Package arrangements.
What else is changing?
The Support at Home system is being reformed to improve the delivery of care and funding. Some key changes include:
- Faster access to funding, reducing waiting times
- Expanded classification system, now with ten categories, providing more funding options for care recipients
- Defined services list, offering greater transparency about what the Support at Home program covers
- Capped price system to prevent aged care recipients from being overcharged, allowing more care hours and assistance
Independence at home
The Support at Home system places a strong emphasis on independence. Participants will have immediate access to assistive technology and home modifications through the new Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme. This separate funding scheme means that care recipients no longer need to save their package funds for these supports.
The AT-HM scheme will cover prescriptions, item purchases, delivery, and installation. Additionally, extra funding is available for restorative care and end-of-life care, with up to $25,000 provided over a 12-week period, as needed.
What are the fees?
Contributions in the Support at Home system differ from the Home Care Package. The new program is designed to help keep people at home and out of hospital. Services are divided into three categories: clinical care, independence, and everyday living.
- Clinical care (e.g., nursing and physiotherapy): Fully funded by the government across the aged care system to help keep care recipients healthy and active
- Independence services (e.g., personal care): Moderately funded, reflecting their importance in maintaining independence
- Everyday living services (e.g., cleaning and gardening): Attract higher contribution rates, as these are not typically covered by government funding
Fees will depend on your funding level and personal circumstances (whether you are a full pensioner, part pensioner, or self-funded retiree). However, under the no worse off principle, current Home Care Package recipients will not pay more when they move to the Support at Home program.
When do the changes take effect?
The Support at Home system will take effect from 1 July 2025. This allows time for care recipients, carers, service providers, and My Aged Care to prepare for the transition.
While the system is changing, it is expected that recipients will receive more comprehensive, high-quality care under Support at Home. These reforms aim to enhance the level of support available to you at home.
For more information, visit the Department of Health’s website or sign up for the online webinar.
