Changes to In-Home Support (Aged Care Reform)
Changes are coming to in-home care from 1 November 2025. The Benevolent Society is committed to keeping clients, families and carers informed as more information is released by the Australian Government. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our friendly support team at 1800 236 762.
Information is periodically released by the Department of Health. This page was last updated 4 June 2025. Further updates from the Department can be found here.
What is changing?
Starting 1 November 2025, the New Aged Care Act law will be in place aiming to improve aged care services, focusing on better quality, safety, and the rights of older Australians to help them remain in their homes and communities independently for longer*.
From 1 November 2025, Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care are being merged into the new Support at Home Program. This program aims to be simpler and fairer for older people to live independently at home.
Notable changes include:
- An increase from four levels of support to eight levels of support with funding ranging from $11,000 to $78,000 per year.
- A change from annual to quarterly budgets available for three categories of service such as clinical care (e.g. nursing and allied health), independence (e.g. showering, getting ready for the day) and everyday living (e.g. housework, meal prep, gardening)
- 10% of quarterly budgets allocated to deliver care management services. Care management may involve: planning and coordinating services, regular check-ins to ensure they are well-supported, clinical advice and practical support to address any changes needed.
- Participants can carry over unspent funds up to $1,000 or 10% of quarterly budgets
- Extending restorative care from 8 weeks to 12 weeks and additional funding of $6,000 to access allied health services alongside in-home services
- Additional funding of up to $15,000 for home modifications
- Additional funding of up to $15,000 for assistive technologies and faster access through a new equipment loan scheme
- End-of-life pathway providing urgent access to a higher level of in-home support to those with a life expectancy under three months or less
Clients already receiving a home care package or are in the national queue for a home care package as of 12 September 2024 will be protected by a ‘no worse off’ provision. The Government has committed to ensuring these people are not financially disadvantaged by the change.
People entering the queue after 12 September will be subject to a means testing by the Government which will determine any contributions they may need to make. Use My Aged Care's fee estimator to give you an estimate on how much you may need to pay under Support at Home.
For more information visit the Department of Health's webpage:
*depending on eligibility and care needs determined by the Government
I'm currently receiving aged care services through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). What happens now?
If you're currently receiving services through the Commonwealth Home Support Program, no changes will take place. There are plans to merge CHSP into Support at Home no earlier than July 2027.
I’m currently receiving aged care services through a Home Care Package. What happens now?
If you're receiving services through your Home Care Package, your Home Support Team Member or Home Support Partner will guide you through the changes that you can expect with Support at Home. Our in-home services will continue to operate as normal until the transition takes place.
I want to receive support but I don't have a package yet. What can I do?
There's no need to wait until the changes take place to start receiving support. We can support you today with private services so you can continue living independently at home. Our friendly team are here to help. Call us at 1800 236 762 or request a callback here.
I'm looking for more information about the changes. Where can I find it?
You can sign up to our newsletter to stay informed about what's happening at The Benevolent Society. Sign up here.
Follow our Facebook page where we will be posting updates as they come through.
You can view the history of changes here: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/aged-care-reforms/delivered
You can give feedback or participate in consultations here: https://agedcareengagement.health.gov.au/
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing are seeking feedback about the changes being made to aged care in Australia. This survey is open to older people, their families and carers. Submit your feedback here: https://healthau.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_77pxqYO7YlJ8waq
The Older Person's Advocacy Network have shared their Big Q&A with a panel of experts to answer questions about what is changing and how it affects older people and their families. Watch the webinar here: https://opan.org.au/video/webinar-the-big-qa/
Additional information can also be found here: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/improving-australias-aged-care-system