Support at Home is a new and improved in-home aged care program launching on 1st July 2025, which will replace exisiting government funded in-home aged care programs.
This page outlines everything you need to know about the upcoming changes.
About the Support at Home Program
The Support at Home program was created in response to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and focuses on providing timely, equitable and higher-quality care.
In-home aged care currently includes various programs with differing assessments, eligibility, providers, funding and fees, leading to inconsistent care and inefficient use of funding.
The Support at Home Program is designed to help older Australians live independently at home for as long as possible. Over time, it will bring together all existing in-home aged care programs, offering new funding levels, services and equipment options to better support individuals in their own homes.
From 1st July 2025, It will replace the current Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care programs. The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) will merge with Support at Home from July 2027.
What Does Support at Home Offer?
Extending Support Services
Extended support to assist an additional 300,000 older Australians in living independently at home by 2034-35.
New Assessment Processes
Introduce new assessment and classification processes to make the program fairer and more inclusive.
Prioritise Early Interventions
Place greater emphasis on early interventions to promote activity and independence.
Higher Level of Care
Provide higher levels of care for individuals with complex needs who require more assistance to live independently at home.
What’s Changing ?
Our aged care system currently faces gaps and inefficiencies, including long wait times and a lack of streamlined processes.
The Support at Home program will tackle all gaps with creating a single streamlined assessment process.
- Older Australians have one comprehensive assessment to determine care needs.
- Trained professionals carry out the assessment, considering personal, medical and functional factors.
- Reduced wait times for quicker access to the support recipient’s need.
The new Support at Home program will offer eight levels of support, with annual funding of up to $78,000 per person.
What is Not Changing?
We understand that change can be unsettling, but some things will stay the same:
- Support at Home will cover in-home care services currently funded by Home Care Packages.
- Funds for in-home care will continue to be allocated based on an individual’s assessed care needs.
- Current Home Care Package recipients won’t pay more – seniors with an existing Home Care Package (or those approved before July 2025) will transition to the new system without any increase in their care costs.
At Carer’s Network, we’re dedicated to supporting our clients and new applicants, helping them stay informed and navigate these upcoming changes with ease.
Benefits of Support at Home
Support at Home will provide more effective in-home aged care to support older people to stay independent and at home for longer through:
- providing access to higher levels of care by increasing the maximum annual amount of funding available for in-home aged care from $61,440 to $78,000
- access to a care partner within a registered provider who will deliver care management support to help Support at Home participants get the best outcomes possible
- equitable participant contributions which will apply only to non-clinical services received
- more timely support as wait times between approval for Support at Home and assignment of funding for services will progressively reduce, with a target of three months from July 2027
- better access to preventative support through upfront funding up to $15,000 for the Assistive Technology and Home Modification (AT-HM) Scheme – participants will no longer need to save up individual budgets to access assistive technology (e.g. walking aides) and home modifications (e.g. installing a rail in the shower)
- an expanded Restorative Care Pathway, which will improve upon existing arrangements under the Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme by increasing support from 8 weeks to 12 weeks and doubling available places (increase from 2,269 to 5,000 places, per quarter)
- access to a new End-of-Life Pathway that provides up to $25,000 over 3 months for older people with less than 3 months to live, to help them pass away with dignity in their own home.
What Will Happen to Current Home Care Package Recipients and Those on the Waiting List?
From 1 July 2025, current Home Care Package recipients will seamlessly transition to the Support at Home program. There’s no need for a reassessment, as you will be automatically moved to funding that is equivalent to existing funding levels.
Any unused funds will also be transferred, offering more flexibility for services or approved assistive technology.
Applicants already on the National Priority System waiting list will also shift to the new system without disruption. Your position and approved funding will carry over, with reassessment only needed if care needs have changed.
The reform includes a “no worse off” principle, ensuring that those who are already receiving in-home care will not face higher costs or reduced levels of support under the new system.
Our In-Home Aged Care Services
Our qualified and trained team can help you set up your package and create a tailored care plan so you can start receiving assistance at home. With Carer’s Network, you’ll be matched with a complimentary Client Services Manager, who will help you get the services you require.
Frequently Asked Questions About Support at Home for Aged Care
Why are these changes being made to in-home aged care?
The Australian Government is implementing Support at Home in response to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (Royal Commission).
Around 1.4 million older people will benefit from a new Support at Home program, which prioritises supported and independent ageing.
What is the reason for the delay in CHSP joining Support at Home?
The phased implementation allows CHSP providers the necessary time to adapt their business systems and familiarise themselves with the new payment structures.
This approach ensures a smooth transition, helping providers maintain operations effectively under Support at Home while minimising any potential disruptions for the large number of CHSP clients.
What services will be offered under Support at Home?
Recipients can access a range of services designed to support their age-related needs and help them maintain independence at home. A full list of available services under Support at Home can be found here.
What is the Restorative Care Pathway?
The Restorative Care Pathway will be introduced under Support at Home to replace the Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Program.
How will the Restorative Care Pathway be different from the STRC Programme?
The Restorative Care Pathway will offer support for up to 12 weeks, extending the duration from the 8 weeks provided under the STRC Programme.
For more FAQs click here.
Contact Us
Fill out the form below, or call us on (03) 8488 9982 to arrange an obligation-free consultation. We can also answer any questions you may have and help you understand funding and fees:
