Understanding Support at Home
Since 1 November 2025, Home Care Packages and Short Term Restorative Care were replaced by Support at Home. The aim of Support at Home is to simplify and make it fairer for older people to access support and live independently at home.
Support at Home introduced eight funding levels, each with an annual budget allocated in quarterly amounts. Under Home Care Packages there were four levels of funding.
10% of quarterly budgets are allocated to deliver care management services. Care management may involve planning and coordinating services, regular check-ins to ensure you are well-supported, clinical advice and practical support to address any changes needed.
Grandfathered
Approved on or before 12 September 2024. Contribution arrangements are protected by the no worse off rule meaning they will pay the same as before, or less.
Transitioned (not grandfathered)
Approved after 12 September 2024 but before 1 November 2025. They will move across to Support at Home on the new contribution settings, based on their pension or income status.
New
Approved for the first time on or after 1 November 2025. They start directly in Support at Home under the new rules.
Unspent funds
If you had unspent funds before 1 November, these carry over in full under Support at Home.
You can use your unspent balance for:
- Approved services when your quarterly budget runs out
- Assistive technology or home modifications for assessed needs
Contributions
The government pays the full cost of clinical care. Contributions apply for Independence and Everyday Living services, based on your pension or income status. The Support at Home service list provides a list of what is included and what is not.
You only pay for the services you use. Clinical care is fully funded by the government.
Full pensioner
Full pensioners contribute 5% for Independence services and 17.5% for Everyday Living services.
Part pensioners
Part pensioners contribute between 5% to 50% for Independence services and between 17.5% and 80% for Everyday Living services, depending on income and assets
Self-funded retirees
Self-funded retirees contribute 50% for Independence services and 80% for Everyday Living services
A lifetime cap of $137,917 applies across Support at Home and residential aged care.
If you can’t afford your contribution, you can apply for financial hardship assistance so your care can continue without interruption.
Under the no worse off rule, grandfathered participants will continue to pay the same or less than you do now.
Use the My Aged Care fee estimator to give you an estimate of how much you may need to pay under Support at Home.
For more information visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website: