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Support at Home

Support at Home

From November 2025, the Australian Government is introducing a new funding program called Support at Home. This new program replaces the previous Home Care Package (HCP). Additionally, from no earlier than 2027, the Support at Home program will also replace the Commonwealth Home Support Programme.

Support at Home program will include:

  1. Eight support levels with funding up to $78,000 yearly, plus two short-term pathways.
  2. Quarterly budgets will replace Annual budgets.
  3. Clear service list so you can know exactly what support is available to you.
  4. Price caps on services, starting approximately July 2026. Providers set their own prices until then.
  5. 10% capped care management fee ensuring you receive trusted, quality care that you deserve.
There are four levels of Support at Home program funding

Services available under Support at Home

Clinical Support

Personal medical services such as nursing or allied health to support your health needs:
  1. Nursing
  2. Allied Health
  3. Therapeutic services
  4. Nutrition
  5. Care management

Independence Support

Assistance like personal care, social support or transport to keep you moving

  1. Personal care
  2. Social support and community engagement
  3. Therapeutic services for independent living
  4. Respite care
  5. Transport

Everyday Living

Maintaining routine through cleaning gardening or meals delivered
  1. Domestic assistance
  2. Essential home maintenance and repairs
  3. Meal preparation and delivery

Additional short-term care programs

Restorative Care

Focused on helping you regain strength and independence through allied health services. Support is available for up to 12 weeks, with a possible 4-week extension, based on assessment.

End-of-life Care

Provides additional in-home support for those with a prognosis of three months or less to live, aiming to help you remain at home for as long as possible. Funding of up to $25,000 is available, with services accessible for up to 16 weeks.

Assistive Technology/Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme

This scheme gives eligible participants access to assistive technology and home modifications without needing to save from their individual budgets.

Support at Home classifications

Support at Home introduces eight funding classifications, ranging from $11,000 to $78,000 per year.

Support at Home Classification Approx. Quarterly Budget Approx. 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

If you’re already receiving a Home Care Package, you won’t need a reassessment. Under the Support at Home program, you’ll be moved into a classification that matches your current Home Care Package.
Indicative transition budgets*

Transitioned Home Care Package level Support at Home quarterly budget Support at Home annual budget
1 ~$2,708 ~$10,833
2 ~$4,762 ~$19,049
3 ~$10,365 ~$41,460
4 ~$15,713 ~$62,853

Participant contributions

Support at Home directs government funding to services that keep you healthy in your familiar surroundings, helping prevent unnecessary hospital visits. As part of this approach, you’ll contribute toward everyday items and services you’ve typically managed independently throughout life. Your contribution percentage varies based on your income and service types. 

Full Pensioner

What you pay:

  • %Clinical support – 0%
  • %Independence services – 5%
  • %Everyday living services – 17.5%

Part Pensioner

What you pay:

  • %Clinical support – 0%
  • %Independence services – 5 – 50%
  • %Everyday living services – 17.5 – 80%

Self-funded retiree

What you pay:

  • %Clinical support – 0%
  • %Independence services – 50%
  • %Everyday living services – 80%

Quarterly budgets and unspent funds

As part of Support at Home, you’ll receive a quarterly budget to use for the care and services that best meet your needs. Each quarter, you’ll be able to carry over a small amount of unspent funds – up to 10% of your quarterly budget or $1,000 (whichever is greater). This gives you flexibility to plan ahead and manage your care without interruption. If you’re an existing Home Care Package customer, your current unspent funds will transition with you.

Capped care management

A capped care management fee of 10% to be taken out of your quarterly budget for Australian Unity to continue to deliver, maintain and manage the level of trusted care you deserve.
This funding will support:

  • Planning and coordinating services
  • Checking in regularly to ensure participants feel supported
  • Providing clinical advice and practical help if needs or circumstances change
  • Offering education and support when it’s needed

How will Support at Home changes affect you?

Depending on when your Home Care Package was approved, there may be different things you need to know.

1. Approved before 12th September 2024

If you were approved before the 12th of September 2024, here’s a snapshot of some of the changes you will see.

Funding
You’ll be automatically transitioned to a Support at Home classification level that aligns to your current Home Care Package level – no reassessment needed. Additionally, you will move to the Support at Home contribution model from November 2025.

Budget
Your annual budget will shift to a quarterly budget from November 2025.

Unspent funds
Any unspent Home Care Package funds you may have will carry over to your Support at Home package. From November, any new unspent funds will be capped at $1,000, or 10% of your quarterly budget – whichever is greater

1. Approved after 12th September 2024

If you were approved after the 12th of September, here’s a snapshot of some of the changes you will see.

Funding
You’ll be assessed and assigned a classification under the new Support at Home funding model, and you’ll move to the Support at Home contribution model from November 2025.

Budget
You’ll receive a quarterly budget from when you start your package.

Unspent funds
You’ll carry over up to $1,000, or 10% of your quarterly care budget – whichever is greater. Any unspent funds from your care package prior to the 31st of October 2025 will transition with you.