Your Care, Evolved: Getting Ready for the New Support at Home Program

Wilma Cranny
Oct 20
3 min read

Big changes are coming to how the government supports you to live well and independently at home! From 1 November 2025, the current Home Care Package (HCP) program will transition to the new Support at Home Program.

We know change can feel uncertain, but the government's promise is clear: No one will be worse off. In fact, this new system is designed to be more flexible, fairer, and offer you even greater support tailored to your unique needs.

Here’s a look at what this exciting change means for you.

What is Support at Home?

The Support at Home Program is a new, simplified approach to in-home care. It's built on a foundation of greater flexibility, transparency, and a stronger focus on your independence. It replaces the old HCP and Short-Term Restorative Care programs.

Key Improvements You Can Look Forward To:

More Funding Levels: Instead of the four HCP levels, the new program has eight classification levels. This means your care package will more precisely match your assessed needs, from basic to complex.
Clinical Care is Fully Funded: Services like nursing, physiotherapy, and other allied health will be fully paid for by the government for everyone in the program. This means more of your personal budget can be saved for day-to-day assistance.
Clearer Budgets: Your annual budget will now be divided into quarterly (three-monthly) budgets. This makes it much easier to track your spending and adjust your services as your needs change throughout the year.
Specialised Pathways: The program includes dedicated, separately funded pathways for:
- Assistive Technology & Home Modifications (AT-HM): Extra funds for essential items like walking frames, shower rails, or ramp installation to keep your home safe.
- Restorative Care: Up to 12 weeks of intensive support to help you regain independence after an illness or injury.
- End-of-Life: Extra, urgent funding for those who choose to spend their final months at home.

How Does This Affect Your Current Home Care Package?

If you are currently receiving a Home Care Package or were on the national waitlist as of 12 September 2024, your transition is designed to be as smooth as possible.

What STAYS THE SAME for You	What is CHANGING for You
Your Care Continues: Your current services and supports will not stop.	Your Budget Cycle: Your annual HCP funding will convert into a quarterly budget.
You Keep Your Provider: You can keep your existing home care provider.	Your Contributions May Change: The Basic Daily Fee and Income-Tested Care Fee are ending. You will now make a contribution based on: 1) The type of service (Clinical, Independence, or Everyday Living) and 2) a new financial means assessment (using both income and assets).
No Reassessment Needed (initially): You won't need a new assessment just to switch over, unless your care needs have significantly changed.	Unspent Funds Cap: While your existing unspent funds will carry over, new funds you don't use each quarter will be capped. You will only be able to roll over up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget (whichever is higher).

The "no worse off" principle means your new contribution amount will be the same as or lower than what you were paying under the HCP program.

What Should You Do Now?

The most important message is: you do not need to take any urgent action right now!

Your current Home Care Provider is preparing for this change and will be in touch to discuss your updated Care Plan and Service Agreement under the new program.

In the meantime, we encourage you to:

Keep Using Your Current Package: Don't hold back on using the support you need today. Remember the new cap on unspent funds is designed to encourage you to be proactive with your care.
Talk to Your Provider: If you have questions about how your specific services will transition or what your new budget will look like, reach out to your current care manager.
Stay Informed: Keep an eye out for information from the Department of Health, My Aged Care, and your provider.

The Support at Home Program is an exciting step forward, putting you in the driver’s seat with more choice and a better match of support to help you continue living your life the way you choose, in the comfort of your own home.

Disclaimer

The information in this blog post is based on current Australian Government announcements and publicly available information regarding the Support at Home Program scheduled to commence on 1 November 2025. This information is intended for general guidance only. The final design, features, and commencement date of the program are subject to change by the government. We strongly recommend that you consult the official My Aged Care website (www.myagedcare.gov.au) or contact your current Home Care Provider for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding your personal circumstances and transition arrangements.