Posted in Age care, Caring Hands, Community Care, Southcare Stars, Support at Home

This update is shared by our caring hands to support you as we transition to Support at Home.

Aged care in Australia is changing — and for the better. The new Aged Care Support at Home Program, commencing on 1 July 2025 replacing the Home Care Package (HCP) Program, is designed to simplify services, improve flexibility, and give older Australians more choice and control over their care. 

But what does that actually mean for older people, their families, and carers? Here are 10 key benefits of the new Aged Care Support at Home Program — and why it matters. 

Of course, if you need more information, check out our frequently asked questions or get in touch with us our caring hands are here to help you navigate the transition. 

Benefits of Support at Home for older Australians: 

1. Customer centred care 

Support at Home has been designed in response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety which puts the customer at the forefront of care and makes your Statement of Rights clearer.   

Furthermore, with a new regulatory framework, all approved providers – including Southcare – under the Support at Home Program will need to meet consistent national standards — giving peace of mind about safety, quality, and professionalism. 

2. One program with a simpler system

The biggest benefit of the new Support at Home Program is simplicity. Instead of multiple programs like CHSP (Commonwealth Home Support Programme), Home Care Packages (HCP), and others — everything will be streamlined into one single, easy-to-navigate program.  This means less confusion, less paperwork, and less stress. 

Home Care Package will transition to Support at Home on 1 July 2025, and CHSP in 2027. 

There is a simpler assessment process too with a single assessment system replacing the current multi-assessment approach, making it faster and easier to access the right level of care without repeating information across different assessment agencies. 

3. Service transparency

The structure of Support at Home means transparency for you with three clear service categories including: 

  • Clinical Care (which includes nursing care, nutrition, allied health and therapeutic services, care and restorative care management),  
  • Independence (such as personal care, social support/community connection, therapeutic services, respite, transport, assistive technology, home modifications)   
  • Everyday Living (which includes meals, domestic assistance, home maintenance and repairs)  

There is also new Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) allowance, consisting of three funding tiers of Low, Medium and High. Each tier has a set period which the funds must be used by.  

4. New funding classifications  

Eight funding classifications will be available and the highest level of support will include a maximum annual funding of up to $78,000 per person. This is an increase from level 4 maximum funding of $61,000 to support complex needs at home.  

 If you are already receiving a home care package, you will remain on your 1-4 level funding until you either require reassessment after 1 July, at which time you will be allocated funding against the 1-8 categories, or no longer require government funded care. 

5. Interim funding allocation  

Wait times can be long at time for home care funding. New Support at Home is expected to reduce wait times, and if wait times for allocation of service funding exceed expectations, you will be assigned an interim allocation of 60% of your Support at Home classification budget ensuring you get some support while you wait to receive the full funding.  

6. New contribution fee structure  

Co-contribution is part of the new program and will be based on two factors; the services you receive within service categories and your income and assets. Your income and assets will be determined by the Aged Pension Means Test. A cap tracked by Services Australia will ensure no one pays more than $130,000 in non-clinical care costs over their lifetime.    

7. ‘No worse off’ rule  

If you were receiving, on the waitlist or assessed for a Home Care Package before 12 September 2024, you will make the same or a lower contribution towards your care as you do now.  

8. Greater transparency over costs   

One of the frustrations with the current aged care system is hidden fees or unclear pricing. The new system will have clear, consistent pricing across providers so people can easily compare services and know exactly what they’re paying for.  

The Government will set price caps for each service from 1 July 2026, and home care providers will not charge over those caps  

9. Focus on wellness and independence 

The new program isn’t just about providing care — it’s about supporting older Australians to stay well, active, and independent in their own homes for as long as possible.  That means more funding for allied health, preventative programs, and wellness-focused services. 

10. Easier access to short-term or occasional support 

Need extra help for a short time — like after surgery or illness? The new Support at Home Program will make it easier to access short-term or occasional services without the need for a long-term care plan. 

There will be two new short-term care pathways introduced under Support at Home including:  

  •  Restorative care: funds of $6,000 for 12 weeks of support that may be extended to 16 weeks in certain circumstances. Maximum of two periods, non-consecutively, of restorative care within a 12 month period can be accessed. 
  • End–of-Life Care, access to additional services up to $25,000 in the last three months of life for recipients who wish to remain at home during that time.   

The benefits of these programs means increased support after hospitalisation, and greater comfort when reaching end of life as you will be in your own home surrounded by your loved ones.  

Need more support about Support at Home? Not sure how it will affect you or your loved one?

Contact us today — we’d love to chat.

Southcare is ready and supportive of these changes as they put the customer at the forefront of care and better define what good home care means.  

The Support at Home program has lots of information and new information is coming all the time, which often brings more questions!   Understanding the benefits of the new Support at Home Program will help individuals, families, and communities plan ahead — and make the most of the support available.  

And we are here to support you, so please reach out if you need help.

Posted in Age care, Caring Hands, Community Care, Southcare Stars, Support at Home