Support at Home delayed start

We welcome the recent announcement by the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae MP to delay the start of the new Support at Home program from 1 July 2025 to 1 November 2025.  

This allows service providers, like healthAbility, to better prepare for the changes and continue providing safe and quality care. This extra time will also allow our clients to better understand the changes and have informed conversations with their Care Partners to make decisions on client’s care needs.

We recently provided new pricing to our clients that was to be effective 1 July 2025. This is now effective 1 November 2025, in line with this decision. We will continue to monitor and adjust pricing in response to information we receive from the Australian Government and to account for indexation from July 1.

Our clients will continue to receive the same level of quality care throughout this time of change. We have been preparing as best we can, however this welcome news is necessary to deliver this once-in-a-generation reforms for all Australians. 

If you are currently receiving the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), you can expect to start the Support at Home program after 1 July 2027.

Not to worry, there’s nothing you need to do. If you are already receiving an HCP, or STRC, they will automatically transfer over to the Support at Home program on 1 November 2025. Your care manager/partner will inform you of any changes to ensure you still receive all the services you need.

A care partner is the new name for a care manager, with a very similar role. They help you manage your in-home aged care services to ensure you’re getting the most out of them. A good care partner will help you tailor your services to your specific needs and adjust them as your needs change. They’ll also plan your service appointments, to ensure you receive the services you need.

Your care partner should have all the appropriate formal training, like a Certificate IV in Aged Care. If you’re looking for clinical care partners, such as nurses or allied health professionals, they must hold a tertiary health qualification.

Many current Home Care Package (HCP) providers use a team-based approach, which means you can have a group of professionals working together to help you manage your care.

Rest assured that your Home Care Package funds will not expire because of this. You can keep using your unspent HCP funds until they run out.

No, not at all. The Government has a “no worse off” policy in place, which means, as long as you were in the Home Care Package system before 12 September 2024, you’ll pay either the same, or less, than the amount you pay for your HCP now. This ensures you’re protected, even if you require more services and qualify for a higher budget in the future.

If you have applied or are planning to apply for funding after 12 September 2024, your services will be charged according to the new Support at Home pricing.

As long as you were either receiving an HCP, on the National Priority System waitlist or assessed as eligible for a HCP before 12 September 2024, the same “no worse off” policy mentioned in the above answer applies.

So, even if you’re still awaiting funding when Support at Home starts, you’ll get a budget that matches what you were approved for under the old Home Care Package system.

If you are currently paying an Income Tested Care Fee with your Home Care Package (HCP), you won’t have to pay more with Support at Home. You may pay less as a result of the transition.

Instead of the 4 Home Care Package levels (classifications) in place currently, the new Support at Home program will have 8 different classifications, as well as 3 short-term, 12-week classifications. 

You can find pricing for all Support at Home classifications in the table below (all dollar figures are current estimates). Please note: this new pricing only applies to you if you have applied or are planning to apply for funding after 12 September 2024.

Until 1 July 2026, when government-set price caps will apply, in-home aged care providers will be setting their own prices for their services taking into account all costs not covered by the Care Management fees. At healthAbility, our package fees are being removed and a flat 10% care management fee that’s pooled will be applied.

You’ll receive Support at Home information from the Department of Health and Aged Care to ensure you, your family and carers are aware of any upcoming changes. 

Services Australia (Centrelink) will continue to manage and inform you of any updates or results regarding your income and asset tests. If you’d like extra Support at Home information, you can also subscribe to receive the Department of Health and Aged Care’s aged care email newsletter, via their website here.

Before, during and after your transition to the Support at Home program, our team at healthAbility is always here to help answer any questions you may have.