Transition to Support at Home

The new Support at Home program will come into effect from 1 November 2025.

There are a number of changes that will affect people who have a Home Care Package (HCP) or Short Term Restorative Care (STRC) funding, under the new Support at Home program. They include:

• More funding levels: There are now eight levels of funding called classifications, compared to four under HCP.  
• New pathways and support: There are new short term pathways and support available, and ongoing funding for Support at Home services. This includes the Restorative Care and End of Life Pathways, and the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications Scheme.
• New service categories: Services are now grouped into clinical, independence, and everyday living supports.
• Quarterly budget: You will receive a quarterly budget every 3 months.
• You can roll over up to $1000 or 10% of your Support at Home budget (whichever is higher) from one quarter into the next one. If you have unspent Home Care Package funds, these will come across into Support at Home with you.
• Care Management: 10% of your ongoing funding is set aside for Care Management, regardless of your provider, how much care management you need, or whether you self manage your care.
• There will be no package administration fees as the Government expects providers to build this into our service prices. This means service prices will be higher under Support at Home.
  
  

People receiving, or who are assessed and waiting for HCP from 12 September 2024

If you currently receive HCP services, your care will move to Support at Home on 1 November 2025. You do not need to do anything as your provider, like Silverchain, will be in touch before then to help plan out your services. The government will also write to you about this change and allocate you a Support at Home classification that matches your current HCP level. 

If you were already receiving or were approved for an HCP before 12 September 2024, you are a ‘grandfathered participant’ under Support at Home. This means how much the Government expects you to contribute towards your care will not increase, even if you are re-assessed to a higher classification as your needs change.

If you were assessed for an HCP after 12 September 2024, you are a ‘transitioning participant’ of Support at Home. The Government has chosen this date as it’s the date the new Aged Care Act was tabled in Parliament, which details the Support at Home program. 

This is important because the amount the Government expects ‘transitioning participants’ to contribute to their care will increase under Support at Home.

People with STRC funding

If you are still receiving STRC services after 1 November 2025, you will be able to complete your current program or episode without any changes. 

Once complete, you can be assessed for more care under Support at Home. We can work with you to help organise this assessment through My Aged Care so that you can continue to get the help you need.

If you have questions about how Support at Home affects you, contact us at 1300 650 803 or complete our enquiry form today.