Commenced 1 November 2025
If you or your loved one is planning to access government-funded home care services, you may be wondering how the new Support at Home Program will impact your financial arrangements. At Home Care Assistance, we’re here to guide you through the transition, from understanding what funding is available to how it’s allocated and what it can be used for.
Here’s a simple, clear breakdown of how funding will work under the Support at Home Program, that launched 1 November 2025.
What’s Changed?
Under the previous Home Care Package (HCP) model, funding is package-based, allocated daily, and comes with limits around how you use and save funds over time. The new Support at Home Program introduced a service-based and quarterly funding system, designed to be more flexible, transparent, and tailored to your actual care needs.
You’ll no longer be assigned a fixed package level (e.g. Level 1–4). Instead, you’ll receive one of eight funding levels based on a comprehensive needs assessment, allowing more thorough and personalised support.
What Are the Funding Levels?
Each eligible participant will be placed into one of eight levels. These levels reflect the amount of care and support needed, with funding allocated quarterly:
| Level | Quarterly Amount |
| Level 1 | $2,674.18 |
| Level 2 | $3,995.42 |
| Level 3 | $5,479.94 |
| Level 4 | $7,386.33 |
| Level 5 | $9,883.76 |
| Level 6 | $11,989.35 |
| Level 7 | $14,530.53 |
| Level 8 | $19,427.25 |
You’ll work with your provider such as Home Care Assistance, to create a care plan that fits within your allocated level and addresses your unique health, lifestyle, and support needs.
How Is Funding Allocated and Managed?
Under the new program:
- Budgets are allocated quarterly (every 3 months), not daily.
- Unused funds can roll over, up to a cap of $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget, whichever is greater.
- Case management fees are capped at 10% of your quarterly funding.
- Package management fees will now be included in service costs, not charged separately.
This means you’ll have a clearer picture of where your money is going and more say in how it’s spent. With your provider, you can regularly review and adjust your services as your needs change.
What Can the Funding Be Used For?
Your Support at Home funding can be used for a wide range of services, depending on your needs:
1. Clinical Care
- Nursing
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational therapy
- Continence support
2. Independence Support
- Personal care (showering, dressing)
- Medication reminders
- Transport to appointments
3. Everyday Living Support
- Meal preparation
- Cleaning and laundry
- Gardening and home maintenance
- Shopping
- Social support and respite care
These services are flexible and can be mixed and matched within your budget, giving you more freedom to personalise your care plan.
What About Larger Expenses Like Home Modifications or Equipment?
Unlike the old HCP model, where major purchases like home modifications had to come out of your package balance, the new program offers separate, purpose-built funding streams, including:
Assistive Technology & Home Modifications (AT-HM):
Low Tier: Up to $500 (e.g. grab rails)
Medium Tier: Up to $2,000 (e.g. walkers, shower chairs)
High Tier: $15,000+ (e.g. ramps, bathroom upgrades)
This dedicated funding ensures that large, one-off costs don’t drain your regular care budget.
Restorative Care Option:
Funding between $6,000 and $12,000
Provides short-term support over 12 weeks, including physiotherapy, dietetics, and other allied health services to help regain independence after illness, injury, or hospitalisation.
End-of-Life Care Option:
Up to $25,000 across 3 months
Supports palliative and comfort care, delivered at home
Families have up to 16 weeks to use this funding
Will I Have to Pay Anything Out of Pocket?
Yes, just like the current model, most participants will be expected to make a co-contribution toward their care, based on their income.
This is called the Income Tested Fee and is assessed and managed by Services Australia. The amount you’re required to contribute depends on your income and pension status and will be deducted from your overall funding amount.
Home Care Assistance can help you understand what your contribution might look like and support you through the financial assessment process.
How Do I Get Started with Funding?
Apply via My Aged Care
Begin your aged care journey by requesting an assessment.
Undergo a New Support at Home Assessment
A trained assessor will determine your funding level and eligibility.
Choose a Provider
Once approved, select a home care provider, like Home Care Assistance, to manage and deliver your services.
Create Your Care Plan
Work with your provider to tailor a service plan that fits your funding level and goals.
Monitor, Review, and Adjust
Your needs might change, and your care plan can change with them.
Summary
Funding under the Support at Home Program is designed to be more tailored, transparent, and accessible. With more levels of support, better rollover rules, and purpose-built funding streams for specialised needs, older Australians and their families will have more control and peace of mind. To learn more about the program, visit the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website here.
Support at home from a specialist provider, such as Home Care Assistance, can bring enormous benefits and comfort to your quality of life while living independently at home. Home Care Assistance offers viable solutions for supporting independent living. For more information, get in touch with a Home Care Assistance near me today.
