A significant change is coming for senior Australians who receive aged care support in their own homes. From 1 July 2025, the federally funded Home Care Package program will become Support At Home. In addition to a name change, the new program will include a simplified assessment process, and higher funding classifications.  

We’re here to take you through the changes and help you understand the support that will be available.  

What are the benefits of Support At Home? 

Simplified Assessment Process 

Accessing aged care funding will be simpler thanks to Support at Home’s new Single Assessment System. This streamlined pathway replaces the more complex processes of the Home Care Package program, which often involved separate entry points and assessment tools. The new system provides a comprehensive and holistic understanding of your individual needs through a single assessment. This removes the need to repeat your circumstances to different assessors as your needs change. 

Increased focus on Early Interventions 

Support at Home offers more ways to keep you healthy and active for longer, including faster access to funding for assistive technology and home modifications. There are also temporary funding boosts for those who need extra restorative support, for example, while recovering from surgery. 

Increased Funding for Complex Needs 

Under Support at Home, the highest level of funding will increase from around $62 000 per year, to around $78 000 per year. This will assist people with complex care needs who need more help to remain at home. 

More Tailored Funding Levels 

While the Home Care Package offers four funding levels, Support at Home will provide eight different funding classifications, offering more options for you to receive the right level of funding for your needs. 

Pricing Changes 

Services will be separated into three categories: Everyday Living, Independence, and Clinical. There will be different co-contributions required for each category. 

• There will be no co-contribution for clinical care services. This ensures that those who need services such as nursing and physiotherapy can more easily access these services.  

• There will be moderate contributions required for services in the Independence category (between 5% and 50%, depending on your pension and health card status). These services include personal care and transport. 

• The highest contributions are expected for services in the Everyday category (between 17.5% and 80%, depending on your pension and health card status). These services include domestic cleaning and garden maintenance. 

The price for Support at Home services includes the entire cost of delivering that service to you – including staff travel and other associated costs. This may look different to what you have been paying under the Home Care Package program, where you are being charged separately for package management costs.  This new arrangement will make it easier to see exactly how much of your budget has been spent, and which services you have received.  

From 1 July 2025, providers will be able to set their own prices. They will communicate these price changes in advance, and you will be asked to sign a new service agreement agreeing to the prices. Price caps by the government are expected to be implemented from July 2026. 

The For Care team is here to help you understand how the changes will impact your service, and to make things as simple as possible for you. Contact us today for help with your senior care needs.