As part of Australia’s aged care reforms, Support at Home will officially launch on 1 July 2025, bringing changes to how older Australians access in-home care services. These updates aim to create a more streamlined, fair, and effective system to support independence and improve service delivery.
The below information outlines the key changes, including:
Accessing Support at Home: The Single Assessment System
When Support at Home begins 1 July 2025, the Single Assessment System for aged care will already be in place to assess older people for the program.
Existing home care recipients will transition to Support at Home at their current service levels.
Older people awaiting allocation of a Home Care Package will also transition automatically to a Support at Home classification once a place is available. New assessments are only required if needs change.
Once assessed, the participating older person will receive a notice of decision with an individual support plan to share with their provider. This will contain:
- a summary of their aged care needs and goals
- a classification with an associated ongoing quarterly budget; and/or
- an approval for short-term supports, which may include a budget for
- assistive technology
- home modifications
- restorative care pathway (for example, intensive allied health services)
- end of life pathway.
Flexible Service Selection
Participants with an ongoing budget will work with an independent assessor to choose services from an approved list, deciding the number of hours or units per month.
Service selections can be adjusted at any time in coordination with the service provider, ensuring ongoing flexibility to meet changing needs.
New Support Classifications and Funding
The current four-tier Home Care Package system will be replaced with eight classification levels, each with its own budget.
- New participants will be assessed and placed into one of these classifications based on their needs.
- Existing Home Care Package recipients and those waiting on the National Prioritisation System will transition to the new system without reassessment. Instead, they will be assigned a budget that aligns with their current package level.
- If a participant’s needs increase, they can be reassessed into a higher classification with a larger budget.
Quarterly Budget Allocation
Participants will receive funding every three months, with the option to roll over up to $1,000 or 10% of their quarterly budget (whichever is greater).
| Classification | Quarterly Budget | Annual Budget |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Transitional Budget for Existing Home Care Clients
| Current HCP Recipients | Quarterly Budget | Annual Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $2,708 | $10,833 |
| Level 2 | $4,762 | $19,049 |
| Level 3 | $10,365 | $41,460 |
| Level 4 | $15,713 | $62,853 |
*The final budget amounts for all participants will be confirmed before the start of the program.
How Service Providers will Operate
From 1 July 2025, each participant will have one primary service provider. This provider will be responsible for:
- ensuring the participant receives services that meet their needs within their quarterly budget
- arranging and sourcing required assistive technology and/or home modifications via purchase or loans program through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme.
Home Care Package providers will go through a deeming process for the new program and will be able to continue delivering services to their existing care recipients under Support at Home.
Self-Management Options
Participants can opt for self-management, allowing them to hire their own care workers in agreement with their service provider.
New Service Structure & Care Management
Service List
The Support at Home program will feature a detailed list of approved services, detailing the types of support available to participants.
Care Management Enhancements
To accommodate varying care needs, 10% of each participant’s budget will be allocated to care management services, covering:
- Service coordination and planning
- Well-being check-ins
- Clinical support and issue resolution
- Educational resources for participants and families
Additional funding will be available for participants who:
- Receive assistance from a care finder
- Are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- Are homeless or at risk
- Are care leavers
- Are veterans with a mental health condition
Providers will have clear expectations about the minimum check-ins required for participants and flexibility in allocating additional support when needed.
Short-Term Support & End-of-Life Care
Support at Home participants will have access to:
- short-term supports so they can stay independent and rely less on ongoing services
- end-of-life supports at home
Assistive Technology & Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme
Participants will no longer need to save funds from their individual budgets for assistive technology or home modifications. Instead, an assessor may approve AT-HM and assign a funding tiers based on individual needs:
| Funding Tier | Maximum Allocation |
|---|---|
| Low | Under $500 |
| Medium | Up to $2,000 |
| High | Up to $15,000 |
*The final budget amounts for all participants will be confirmed before the start of the program.
- The funding will cover prescriptions from allied health professionals.
- Participants may access assistive technology that exceeds the maximum $15,000 with a valid prescription from a health professional.
- The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications List (AT-HM List) outlines the products, equipment and home modifications that eligible participants can access through the AT-HM Scheme.
- The AT-HM Scheme will include the ability for older people with progressive conditions to easily swap equipment as their condition progresses.
- The government is developing a new Assistive Technology Loans Scheme in partnership with states and territories with a trial currently running in New South Wales, before the national roll out under Support at Home.
Restorative Care Pathway
Designed to boost mobility and independence, this program provides up to 12 weeks of intensive allied health support, with a 4-week extension if needed. An assessment will determine access to the Restorative Care Pathway. Participants already accessing ongoing services may also be eligible to access the Restorative Care Pathway.
End-of-Life Care Pathway
For individuals with three months or less to live, this pathway provides priority access to higher levels of in-home support. An older person can be referred to a high-priority assessment to access the End-of-Life Pathway. They don’t need to be an existing Support at Home participant to be eligible. Funding of up to $25,000 will be available, with 16 weeks to use the funds.
Participant Contributions in Support at Home
The Support at Home program will prioritise government funding for essential care services that help older Australians remain at home and reduce hospital admissions. Following recommendations from the Aged Care Taskforce, participants will be required to contribute more towards non-medical services and items they have traditionally funded themselves.
How Contributions Will Work
Participant contributions will be calculated based on an hourly rate or per-unit cost for each type of service. The government will cover the remaining cost through a subsidy paid directly to the provider.
Contribution Levels by Service Type
- Fully covered by the government: No contributions will be required for clinical services such as nursing and physiotherapy.
- Moderate contributions: Participants will share costs for personal care, mobility aids, and assistive technology under the AT-HM Scheme, as these services help prevent hospitalisations and long-term residential care.
- Higher contributions: Everyday services like cleaning, gardening, and domestic assistance will require the highest participant contributions, as these are generally considered personal expenses at all stages of life.
Contributions Based on Financial Status
The amount a participant pays will depend on their age pension status:
- Full pensioners – Pay the lowest contributions.
- Part pensioners – Pay a moderate contribution.
- Self-funded retirees – Pay the highest contribution.
To support lower-income self-funded retirees, those eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) will have reduced contribution rates, regardless of whether they have applied for the card.
Lifetime Contribution Cap
To protect those receiving long-term aged care, a lifetime contribution cap of $130,000 will be in place.
Transitional Arrangements
Special provisions will be made for:
- Home care recipients
- Individuals approved for a Home Care Package as of 12 September 2024
- Older Australians on the National Priority System for a Home Care Package as of 12 September 2024
Have Questions or Concerns?
To better support your query, please choose an option from below to manage your question:
- Feedback and Complaints >> Feedback & Complaints – 3Bridges
- Day to Day Support for your Individual services >> Contact 1300 327 434 and request your Client Relationship Coordinator or email your CRC directly.
We are in this Together
Change can be challenging, not just for the individual receiving services, but for the whole family and friend network. We are here to make sure you and your network feel supported, informed, and confident every step of the way. Thank you for trusting us to be part of your care journey.
The information provided in this document has been sourced from official government websites and publications related to the Support at Home program and aged care reforms. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, details are subject to change as policies are finalised. For the most up-to-date and official information, please refer to the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website or other relevant government sources.
