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Home > Home Care Services > Support at Home Program (SAHP)
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Support at Home Program

Whether you’re already receiving home care or just starting to explore your options, we’re here to guide you through the recent changes to funded home care, and make sure you keep getting the help you need.

On this page, we’ll cover:

What is changing?

From 1 July 2025, the Australian Government will introduce the Support at Home Program, which will replace the current Home Care Packages (HCP) program.

Designed to deliver more flexible funding, higher-quality care, and a simpler system, the new program aims to better support older Australians to live independently at home for as long as possible.

The new program aims to give you more flexibility and transparency in how your care funding is managed, so you can get the most from your support services.

  • Quarterly Budgets: Instead of daily allocations, your funding will be provided in four equal payments across the year.
  • Unspent Funds Rollover: You’ll be able to carry over a portion of any unused funds into the next quarter.
  • No More Package Management Fees: These fees will be rolled into your service costs, with care management fees capped at 10%.

The new program introduces a defined list of services, aiming to bring more structure to care planning. While many services will stay the same, your care plan may follow a more consistent format to ensure you’re getting the right support at the right time.

  • Clinical Care: Government-funded services such as nursing, allied health, and medication management to help you maintain or regain independence.
  • Independence Support: Assistance with personal care, transport, respite, and social activities to support your daily routine.
  • Everyday Living Support: Help with household tasks like cleaning, home maintenance, and meal preparation.

The Support at Home program will introduce expanded support categories and a streamlined assessment process to ensure you receive the right level of care for your needs.

  • More Personalised Support: The current four Home Care Package levels will be replaced with eight tailored support categories designed to better match individual care needs.
  • Simplified Assessments: A new, streamlined assessment system will replace the current ACAT process, making it easier to understand your care needs and access the right support.

The Support at Home program also introduces new funding classifications to assist those who may only need help for a short time or for a specific need.

  • Assistive Technology & Home Modifications: Access up to $15,000 from a separate funding pool for equipment like mobility aids, safety devices, or home modifications to help you stay safe and independent at home.
  • Short-Term Support Options:
    • Restorative Care: Short-term, intensive support to help you regain independence after illness or injury.
    • End-of-Life Care: Up to $25,000 over 3 months to support you in staying at home during palliative stages.

How does the new Support at Home Program affect me?

The new program will affect people differently depending on where they are in their home care journey. We’ve broken it down below so you can see what’s changing, whether you’re already receiving home care, waiting for services to begin, or just starting the process

Already receiving a Home Care Package?

  • You’ll automatically move to the new Support at Home program on 1 July 2025, there’s nothing you need to do.

  • Your funding level and care provider will stay the same, so your services can continue without interruption.

  • You won’t pay more, thanks to the government’s ‘no worse off’ guarantee for existing customers.

Approved but not yet receiving services?

  • If you’ve already been approved and are on the national waitlist, you’ll move to the new program automatically.

  • You’ll still receive care at the funding level you were approved for, no need for a new assessment.

  • Fees will depend on when your approval was granted, some people may move onto the new pricing system.

Applying after 1 July 2025?

  • You’ll be assessed under the new Support at Home model, which focuses on your individual care needs.

  • Instead of package levels, you’ll receive a personalised budget aligned to your care requirements.

  • You may need to contribute to the cost of some non-clinical services, depending on your financial situation.

'No worse off' Principle

The “No Worse Off” principle ensures that if you were receiving, approved for, or waitlisted for a Home Care Package by 12 September 2024, your funding won’t be reduced and you’ll pay the same or less under the new Support at Home program. It’s designed to give you peace of mind as the home care system changes from 1 July 2025.

Support at Home Program Services

The new Support at Home program is designed to make your care more straightforward and tailored to your needs. Services are now grouped into three categories, so you can easily see what support is available to help you stay safe, well and independent at home.

Clinical Support

Specialised health services from professionals like nurses, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists. Focused on care, rehabilitation, and therapy, these services are fully government-funded, with no cost to the customer.

Independence Services

These services assist with daily living and personal care, including bathing, dressing, mobility, and social support, to help customers stay independent at home. Co-contributions may apply based on financial circumstances.

Everyday Living Services

This category includes non-medical support like domestic assistance, gardening, meal preparation, and transport to maintain a safe home. As these services aren’t usually government-funded, customers may pay more.

Budgets and Fees

Under the new Support at Home program, how much you pay and how your budget works, depends on where you are in your home care journey. Whether you’re already receiving a package, recently approved, or just starting out, your fees and funding will be tailored to your situation.

Existing HCP customers

You were receiving a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024.

Budgets

Your funding will be provided in four quarterly instalments each year, with rollover options for any unspent funds.

Funding

You’ll continue with your current level of funding, there no changes to your funding.

Fees/Contributions:

You’re covered by the “no worse off” guarantee, you’ll pay the same or even less than you do now, even if your needs change over time.

Approved but not yet receiving services

You were assessed after 12 September 2024 and before 30 June 2025.

Budgets

Your funding will be provided in four quarterly instalments each year, with rollover options for any unspent funds.

Funding

You’ll move to the new Support at Home program with the same funding level you were approved for.

Fees/Contributions

From 1 July 2025, the new fees will apply. While clinical care will remain funded, you may be asked to contribute to other services depending on what support you receive.

New Customers

You are assessed for home care on or after 1 July 2025.

Budgets

You’ll receive a quarterly budget tailored to your circumstances, with rollover options available.

Funding

You’ll be assessed under the new Support at Home classification levels to match the care you need.

Fees/Contributions

You’ll pay only for the services you use. Clinical care is fully funded, and contributions for other services will depend on your income and the type of support you receive.

Frequently asked questions

Support at Home is the new government program replacing the current Home Care Packages program. It’s designed to be more sustainable, easier to understand, and simpler to access. If you’re already receiving a home care package, there’s no need to worry, you’ll transition automatically, and your care will continue in a familiar way.

Home care is changing because the government aims to create a better, fairer, and more user-friendly system for older Australians, now and into the future.

These changes are based on the findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which called for a simpler, more transparent system that puts your needs at the centre.

The changes to home care officially begin on 1 July 2025.

If you were receiving or waiting for a Home Care Package before 12 September 2024, you’ll automatically move into the new program on that date. You don’t need to reapply, and your services will continue, with your current fee arrangements staying the same.

If you need more support down the track, you will be reassessed by the new Single Assessment Service. If you were receiving, approved for, or waitlisted for a Home Care Package by 12 September 2024, you’ll still be protected by the ‘no worse off’ rule, so your fees won’t increase even if your care needs do.  

Your Support at Home services can pause temporarily if you’re away, and your budget won’t be lost. Just let us know in advance, and we will help manage your care plan around it. You’ll pick up right where you left off when you’re ready.

Under Support at Home, you won’t be able to go into deficit. We will plan so your services fit within your quarterly budget, and flag if things need adjusting.

Yes. You’ll continue to receive easy-to-read monthly statements showing your care services, spending, and how much is left in your quarterly budget. We will always keep you in the loop and help you feel confident about how your funds are used.

There may be different rules for your spouse or partner, depending on the date they were (or will be) formally assessed as eligible for a home care package or Support at Home package. You will each receive individualised care plans tailored to your specific needs.

Yes. From 1 July 2025, equipment and home modification costs will come from a separate funding pool, not your regular care budget. This means more room in your budget for day-to-day services. Just remember, you’ll need to use any leftover HCP funds first, before your able to access the new funding pool.

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