What are the new service categories under Support at Home?

April 7, 2025

With the transition from the Home Care Package program to the Support at Home program on 1 July 2025, one of the biggest changes is the introduction of three distinct service categories. These categories define how services are delivered and funded, helping to ensure that support is targeted to individual needs.

Here’s a closer look at the new clinical, independence, and everyday living service categories and what they mean for home care participants.

1. Clinical care: Supporting your health & wellbeing

This category focuses on specialised health services designed to maintain or improve a participant’s functional and cognitive abilities. It includes:

✅ Nursing care (e.g., wound care, medication management)
✅ Allied health services (e.g., physiotherapy, podiatry)
✅ Nutritional support (e.g., meal planning with a dietitian)
✅ Care management and restorative care planning

💡 Good news: Clinical care services are fully funded by the government, meaning participants will not have to pay out-of-pocket costs for these supports!

2. Independence support: Helping you live confidently

Independence Support services help with daily activities that enable seniors to remain active and engaged in their communities. This includes:

✅ Personal care (e.g., assistance with showering and dressing)
✅ Social support & community engagement (e.g., transport to appointments, companionship)
✅ Therapeutic services (e.g., occupational therapy, speech therapy)
✅ Respite care (support for carers to take a break)
✅ Assistive technology & home modifications (e.g., mobility aids, handrails)

💡 Participants contribute to the cost of these services based on their financial situation.

3. Everyday living support: Keeping your home safe and comfortable

This category covers essential services that maintain a clean and liveable home environment while supporting independence. Services include:

✅ Domestic assistance (e.g., cleaning, laundry, meal preparation)
✅ Home maintenance & minor repairs (e.g., fixing broken steps, changing light bulbs)
✅ Meal services (e.g., delivered meals, meal preparation)

💡 Everyday Living services require the highest participant contributions, with self-funded retirees paying up to 80% of the cost. This reflects the government’s approach to prioritising funding for health and independence-related services over general household tasks.

Benefits of the new service categories under Support at Home

The introduction of clinical care, independence support, and everyday living support under the Support at Home program provides several benefits for home care participants. These categories aim to ensure funding is better structured, targeted, and sustainable, improving access to essential services while maintaining flexibility for individual needs.

So, what are the benefits?

More transparent and structured funding

Clear service categories help participants understand what services they are entitled to and how they are funded
Unlike Home Care Packages, where services were often grouped together, the new structure ensures funding is used efficiently based on health, independence, and daily living needs

Fully funded clinical care for your health

No out-of-pocket costs for vital health services such as nursing, allied health, and restorative care
Supports early intervention and recovery by funding rehabilitation, wound care, and medication management, reducing hospital admissions

Greater support for independence at home

Services such as personal care, therapy, transport, and respite enable seniors to stay active and engaged in their communities
Introduction of Assistive Technology & Home Modifications (AT-HM) funding makes mobility aids and home safety improvements more accessible
Co-contributions are income-based, ensuring affordability for pensioners while encouraging fairness in funding distribution

New short-term funding options for urgent needs

The Restorative Care Pathway (up to $6,000 for 12 weeks) provides short-term allied health support to help regain strength and function
The End-of-Life Pathway (up to $25,000 for 12–16 weeks) ensures comfort and dignity for participants choosing to remain at home in their final months
By defining services into three distinct categories, the Support at Home program ensures participants receive the right support at the right time, promoting better health outcomes, greater independence, and long-term sustainability of home care funding

How will these categories affect you?

These changes will impact care recipients differently, depending on when you signed up for a Home Care Package.

If you’re a Grandfathered participant (were approved for a Home Care Package before 12 September 2024), your current care plan will transition into these new categories, but your fees and budget structure will remain unchanged.

If you’re a Transitional (were approved for a Home Care Package after 12 September 2024) or a new participant, your care services will be aligned with these categories, and your contributions will be based on the Support at Home fee framework.