The Support at Home program: will it improve your care or cost you more?

As of July 1, 2025, Australia’s aged care system will undergo a significant transformation with the introduction of the Support at Home program. 

This reform, announced by the Australian Government, aims to streamline in-home aged care services, replacing the existing Home Care Packages (HCP) Program and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will follow suit, transitioning no earlier than July 1, 2027. 

For older Australians and their families, this shift raises important questions… What is the new Support at Home program and will you be better or worse off?

This article will explain the changes ahead of the new program, so that you can determine whether you will be affected by the rollout.

What is the Support at Home program?

The Support at Home program is designed to help older Australians live independently at home for longer by combining multiple in-home care programs into a single, more flexible system. The goal is to address the shortcomings highlighted by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, such as long wait times, limited service flexibility and inequitable access to care.

What you need to know about the new program

• It will combine several existing systems
  Starting July 1, 2025, Support at Home will replace the HCP and STRC programs, with CHSP joining later. This means there will be a single point of access for all in-home aged care services, reducing confusion and administrative hurdles.

• There will be eight classification levels instead of four
  The program introduces eight classification levels, replacing the four levels of the HCP (Level 1 to Level 4). These levels are tailored to better match your assessed care needs, from basic support to high-level care for complex needs. Annual funding will be delivered in quarterly budgets, allowing for more flexible spending.

• There will be a greater focus on early intervention
  Support at Home emphasises upfront supports like allied health, assistive technology and home modifications to maintain independence. This includes earlier access to restorative care and enhanced support for end-of-life care.

• Greater emphasis will be placed on delivering culturally respectful care
  For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, the program offers culturally safe services, such as assistance to participate in cultural activities and access to Indigenous health practitioners, along with a supplement for extra care management hours.

• The Single Assessment System will replace Regional Assessment Services and the Aged Care Assessment Team/Service
  A new Integrated Assessment Tool, introduced on July 1, 2024, simplifies the assessment process. If you’re already on an HCP, you won’t need a reassessment unless your needs change. New applicants will be assessed under this system, receiving an individual support plan outlining their budget and approved services.
  First Nations assessment organisations will also be rolled out from July 1, 2025. These organisations will provide culturally safe pathways for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to access aged care.

Key features and benefits

The Support at Home program promises several improvements over the current HCP system.

• You will have increased flexibility through SaH
  You’ll have an approved list of services to choose from, including personal care, housekeeping, nursing and social activities. You can work with an independent assessor to determine the hours or units of service you need each month, tailoring care to your specific circumstances.
• Your budget will roll over
  Unspent funds can be rolled over between quarters, up to a maximum of $1,000 or 10 percent of your quarterly budget — whichever is higher. This allows you to save for unexpected needs, such as additional meals or transport if your carer is unavailable.
• There will be equitable pricing
  The government has introduced indicative price ranges for services starting July 1, 2025. For example, personal care might cost around $100 per hour, though final prices will depend on providers. Price caps, originally planned for 2025, have been delayed to July 1, 2026, meaning providers will set their own prices in the first year, subject to transparency guidelines.
• More support will be introduced for providers in thin markets
  Grants will be available for providers in rural and remote areas to cover operational costs, ensuring access to care regardless of location.
• There will be a pooled-funding trial
  Starting July 1, 2025, a trial in group settings, like retirement villages, will allow participants to use their funding more flexibly, such as for shared services like a mini-bus.

Will you be better or worse off?

The impact of the Support at Home program on your care and finances depends on your current situation.

If you’re already on a Home Care Package

If you’re currently receiving an HCP or are on the National Priority System as of September 12, 2024, the government has promised a ‘no worse off’ principle.

• Contributions won’t increase: your contributions (basic daily fee and any income-tested care fee) will remain the same or lower under Support at Home. For example, if you don’t pay an income-tested fee now, you won’t pay one under the new program. If you do, you’ll transition with discounted contribution arrangements.
• Budget transition: you’ll automatically move to a Support at Home budget that matches your current HCP level (or approved level if you’re on the waitlist). You can also keep any unspent HCP funds, which will be transferred to your new budget.
• Service continuity: there will be no disruption to your care during the transition. You’ll continue receiving services at your current level unless your needs change, requiring a reassessment.

In this scenario, you’re likely to be better off or at least no worse off. The increased flexibility in budgeting and service selection could allow you to better meet your needs, such as accessing more allied health services or saving unspent funds for future use. However, be mindful that provider pricing in the first year (before price caps are introduced in 2026) may vary, so it’s worth discussing costs with your provider.

If you’re a new applicant after July 1, 2025

For those applying for in-home care after the New Aged Care Act is introduced on July 1, 2025, the picture is more complex…

• Simplified access: the Single Assessment System and streamlined program design should make it easier to navigate the system and access care. Wait times may initially mirror those of the HCP program (e.g., three – 15 months depending on your level), but the government aims to reduce these over time. If wait times are long, you’ll receive an interim allocation of 60 percent of your budget while awaiting full funding.
• Contributions may increase for some: the government will fully cover clinical care (e.g., nursing), but you may need to contribute more toward non-clinical services like showering, gardening or meal preparation, especially if you have the financial means. Your contributions will be determined by a means test through Services Australia, which assesses your income (not assets). This shift aims to meet the rising demand from an ageing population but could mean higher out-of-pocket costs for those with greater financial capacity.
• More tailored care: the eight classification levels and focus on early intervention mean your care plan can be more precisely tailored to your needs. For example, if you need home modifications to prevent falls, these can be prioritised upfront, potentially reducing long-term care costs and improving your quality of life.

If you’re a new applicant, you might be better off in terms of access to a more flexible and responsive system, but you could face higher contributions if you’re deemed able to pay more. The government’s investment of $531.4 million to release 24,100 additional HCPs in 2024 – ‘25 has already reduced average wait times to six months, and this trend is expected to continue under Support at Home, which could mean faster access to care.

Potential concerns to consider

While the reforms aim to improve aged care, there are some uncertainties.

• Pricing variability: until price caps are introduced in 2026, providers can set their own prices, which may lead to inconsistencies.
• Adjustment period: providers will need to adapt to new standards and payment systems, which could lead to temporary disruptions, especially for CHSP providers transitioning later.
• Means testing: the shift toward higher contributions for those with greater financial means has sparked debate. While it aims to ensure sustainability, it may feel unfair to some, particularly if they’ve already planned their finances around the current HCP system.

What can you do to prepare?

Whether you’re a current HCP recipient or considering in-home care, here are some steps to ensure you’re ready for the transition…

• Stay informed: The Department of Health and Aged Care is hosting webinars and Q&A sessions to provide updates on Support at Home. Check the My Aged Care website for the latest information.
• Review your finances: use the fee estimator on the My Aged Care website to understand potential contributions under the new system. If you’re a new applicant, consider completing an income assessment through Services Australia to get a clearer picture of your costs.
• Talk to your provider: if you’re already on an HCP, discuss the transition with your provider. Ask about their pricing plans for 2025 and how they’ll ensure continuity of care.

So, how will I be impacted?

The Support at Home program offers a promising step forward for in-home aged care in Australia, with its focus on flexibility, early intervention and simplified access. 

If you’re already on an HCP, the “no worse off” principle ensures you won’t face financial disadvantages and you may benefit from greater control over your care. For new applicants, the system’s design could mean better-tailored support, though higher contributions for some may offset these gains.

Ultimately, whether you’re better or worse off depends on your individual circumstances — your care needs, financial situation and how well your provider adapts to the new system. 

By staying informed and proactive, you can navigate this transition with confidence, ensuring that you or your loved one receives the care needed to live independently and with dignity at home.