Support at Home

Support at Home: Australia's New In-Home Care Program

The Australian Government has introduced a transformative new aged care initiative called the Support at Home program.

This program represents a significant reform of in-home aged care services, designed to help older Australians live independently in their own homes for longer periods.

The Support at Home program has replaced the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Program.

While the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will transition to the new system no earlier than 1 July 2027.

Developed in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the Support at Home program aims to create a simpler, more equitable system that better meets the needs of older Australians.

The program is part of broader aged care reforms that include a new rights-based Aged Care Act.

These changes represent the most substantial overhaul of Australia's aged care system in decades, with the goal of putting older people's rights and needs at the centre of care delivery.

Purpose of the Support at Home Program

The Support at Home program is intended to:

Create a simpler, fairer and more consistent aged care system.
Offer more tailored services.
Improve flexibility and choice for consumers.
Deliver better value and outcomes.

Who Is It For?

Support at Home is targeted at older Australians (usually over 65, or over 50 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) who need help with everyday activities to continue living independently.

How It Works

Eligible individuals will undergo an assessment by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). Based on this, they will be approved for a level of support and funding. They can then choose approved service providers to deliver the care and support they need.

Key Features & Objectives of Support at Home

The Support at Home program has been designed with several key objectives in mind, all focused on improving the quality and accessibility of in-home aged care services:

Simplified System: By consolidating multiple existing programs (HCP and STRC initially, with CHSP to follow), the government aims to reduce complexity and create a more streamlined access pathway for older Australians.
Enhanced Access to Services: The program provides improved access to services, equipment, and home modifications to help older people remain healthy, active, and socially connected to their community.
More Funding Levels: Support at Home introduces eight ongoing classifications plus two short-term pathways, allowing for more tailored support based on individual needs.
Restorative Care Focus: The program includes a dedicated Restorative Care Pathway to help older Australians regain function and independence through allied health services.
End-of-Life Support: A specialised End-of-Life Pathway will provide additional funding and services for those in their final months who wish to remain at home.
Assistive Technology & Home Modifications: A new Assistive Technologies and Home Modification (AT-HM) Scheme provides funding for products, equipment, and home modifications to support independent living.

The program is supported by a Single Assessment System, which began with the introduction of a new Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) on 1 July 2024.

This system is designed to simplify and improve access to aged care services through more comprehensive and consistent assessments

Transition Arrangements & Eligibility

The transition to Support at Home will be implemented in stages to minimise disruption for both care recipients and providers:

The program will replace the Home Care Packages Program (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Program; and no earlier than 1 July 2027 the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will also transition to Support at Home

Eligibility for Support at Home will extend to:

People aged 65 and over.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over.
People aged 50 and over who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

For existing Home Care Package recipients, the transition will be automatic. Those already receiving a Home Care Package moved to an equivalent Support at Home classification without needing reassessment, unless their needs have changed.

The government has implemented "grandfathering" arrangements to ensure current recipients are not disadvantaged by the change:

Funding: Existing HCP recipients on 30 June 2025 received equivalent Support at Home funding.
Fees: Those not paying an income-tested care fee as of 12 September 2024 will continue without such fees under Support at Home.

Funding and Fees

Funding is allocated based on individual needs, with consumers contributing to the cost if they can afford it. Fees are expected to be more standardised and transparent compared to the older system.

The government pays providers directly, reducing administrative burdens and making costs clearer for consumers.

Consumer Choice and Flexibility

One of the program's goals is to give older people greater control. Clients can:

Choose and change providers.
Manage their own services.
Purchase the support that best meets their needs within their allocated budget.

Financial Arrangements

The Support at Home program introduces significant changes to how in-home aged care is funded and paid for:

Funding Classifications: The eight new support levels range from approximately $11,000 annually for Classification 1 up to $78,000 annually for Classification .
Restorative Care Pathway: $6,000 for 12 weeks (extendable to 16 weeks).
End-of-Life Pathway: $25,500 for 12 weeks.
Quarterly Budgets: Annual funding amounts will be divided into four equal quarterly budgets. Recipients can carry forward up to $1,000 or 10% of their quarterly budget (whichever is greater) to the next quarter.
Participant Contributions: The program introduces a new participant contribution system replacing the current basic daily fee and income-tested care fee.
Contributions will vary by Service type (no contribution for clinical care, moderate for independence supports, highest for everyday living services)
A lifetime cap of $130,000 (indexed) will apply to non-clinical care contributions.
Pricing Structure: For the first year (until 1 July 2026), providers will set their own prices for services. After this date, the government will implement price caps based on advice from the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA).

Types of Services Available

Support at Home will cover a wide range of services, including:

Personal care (showering, dressing).
Domestic help (cleaning, laundry).
Meal preparation.
Transport to appointments.
Home modifications and maintenance.
Nursing and allied health services.

Service Delivery and Provider Requirements

The Support at Home program operates with several key service delivery features:

Defined Service List: Services are categorised into:

Clinical Care (e.g., nursing, physiotherapy)
Independence (e.g., personal care, home modifications)
Everyday Living (e.g., cleaning, gardening)
Care Management: 10% of each quarterly budget will be allocated to care management services

Provider Obligations: Aged care providers need to:

Publish standard prices on their websites and the My Aged Care Find a Provider tool.
Provide new service agreements.
Invoice Services Australia for services delivered (rather than drawing from client-managed budgets as under HCP).

The government has made training and resources available to help providers prepare for the transition, including a Support at Home program manual and transition resources

Rights and Protections Under the Support at Home Program

The Support at Home program will operate under the new rights-based Aged Care Act 2024, which includes several important protections.

Older people will have clearly defined rights when accessing government-funded aged care services, including the right to:

Make their own decisions.
Receive information and support for decision-making.
Feel safe and respected.
Have their culture and identity respected.

Complaints and Enforcement: Robust pathways will be available to address concerns, including:

Provider-level complaints systems.
Escalation to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
Enforcement measures ranging from improvement notices to significant civil penalties for serious breaches.
Whistleblower Protections: The new Act will protect those who report aged care law violations from negative consequences.

Expected Benefits and Challenges

The Support at Home program aims to deliver several key benefits:

More Tailored Care: With eight classifications instead of four, support can be better matched to individual needs.
Improved Access: The government plans to add 300,000 more places over 10 years, potentially reducing wait times.
Greater Transparency: Standardised pricing and published provider costs should make the system more transparent.

However, challenges may include:

Transition Complexity: Moving existing clients and providers to the new system without disruption will require careful management.
Provider Adaptation: Some providers may struggle with the new funding and pricing arrangements.
Consumer Understanding: Older Australians and their families will need to understand the new contribution system and their rights.

Support for Carers

The program also recognises the vital role of carers. It includes supports for informal carers, including respite care and coordination assistance.

Digital Support and Navigation

Support at Home introduces more digital tools to help older Australians plan and manage their care, including access to care plans, budgets, and service choices online.

Oversight and Quality Assurance

Support at Home is regulated by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, with clear standards for providers and mechanisms for complaints and feedback.

Final Thoughts on the Support at Home Program

The Support at Home program represents a significant step forward in Australia's aged care system, designed to address many of the shortcomings identified by the Royal Commission. By consolidating programs, increasing funding flexibility, and strengthening rights and protections, the government aims to create a system that better supports older Australians to live independently at home for as long as possible.

While the full impact of these reforms will only become clear after a few years, the program's person-centred approach, combined with its more nuanced funding model and strong consumer protections, has the potential to significantly improve the quality and accessibility of in-home aged care across Australia.