Your Guide to Support At Home
From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program will replace the current Home Care Package program.
Elka Home Care will continue to guide you through these changes, ensuring you receive high-quality, personalised care every step of the way.
Why the change?
The new program has been designed to simplify, streamline, and improve care for older Australians. It’s focused on flexibility, transparency, and long-term sustainability.
You can expect:
- No disruption to your current services if you're already on a Home Care Package
- More tailored funding options and specialised support pathways
- Fully funded clinical care, including nursing and allied health
- Stronger protections, including capped pricing and simplified assessments
What’s changing?
The Support at Home program will replace the current Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs.
Current system: 4 care levels, up to $61,440 per year.
New system
8 funding levels, up to $78,000 per year, plus 3 new short-term care pathways:
Restorative Care Pathway
Replaces STRC. Provides allied health services to maintain and improve independence through multidisciplinary care.
End-of-Life Pathway
Offers personalised care and guidance for people choosing to spend their last three months at home, supporting both them and their loved ones through this important stage of life.
Assistive Technology & Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme
Gives access to assistive technology and home modifications based on assessed needs.
New classifications
Classification
Quarterly Budget
Annual Amount
Overview
1
$2,674.18
$10,697.72
Occasional Help for Independent Living
- For older adults who are mostly independent
- Provides light, occasional help with cleaning, laundry, meal delivery, & transport to appointments
- Helps maintain independence and may delay the need for higher-level care
2
$3,995.42
$15,981.68
Gentle Personal and Social Support
- Offers regular light assistance with:
- Showering
- Dressing
- Medication
- Supports social connection through:
- Shopping
- Meal preparation
- Community involvement
3
$5,479.94
$21,919.77
Moderate Support for Daily Activities
- Structured care several times a week
- Assists with:
- Personal hygiene
- Mobility
- Meal preparation
- May also include cognitive support and fall-prevention strategies
4
$7,386.33
$29,545.33
Regular Personal and Home Assistance
- Near-daily support for personal care and household tasks
- Assistance with showering, dressing, cleaning and cooking
- Safety checks and home modifications to maintain a secure environment
5
$9,883.76
$39,535.04
Daily Care with Health Oversight
- Daily personal care with added health monitoring
- Includes catheter hygiene, medication support and mobility help
- May include allied health services and transport for treatments
6
$11,989.35
$47,957.41
Ongoing Clinical and Health Care
- Personal care combined with regular nursing and allied health services
- Includes wound care, injections and physiotherapy
- Homes may be adapted for medical safety and chronic condition management
7
$14,530.53
$58,122.13
Intensive Daily Multidisciplinary Support
- Multiple daily visits from a coordinated care team
- Full support with personal and daily living needs
- Delivered by nurses and allied health professionals to maintain quality of life
8
$19,427.25
$77,709.00
Specialist In-Home and Palliative Care
- Highest level of in-home care for advanced or terminal conditions
- Focuses on symptom and pain relief, 24/7 clinical care, and emotional support
- Aims to preserve dignity and comfort at the end of life
Classification
1
Qtr Budget
$2,674.18
Annual Amt
$10,697.72
Overview
Occasional Help for Independent Living
- For older adults who are mostly independent
- Provides light, occasional help with cleaning, laundry, meal delivery, & transport to appointments
- Helps maintain independence and may delay the need for higher-level care
Classification
2
Qtr Budget
$3,995.42
Annual Amt
$15,981.68
Overview
Gentle Personal and Social Support
- Offers regular light assistance with:
- Showering
- Dressing
- Medication
- Supports social connection through:
- Shopping
- Meal preparation
- Community involvement
Classification
3
Qtr Budget
$5,479.94
Annual Amt
$21,919.77
Overview
Moderate Support for Daily Activities
- Structured care several times a week
- Assists with:
- Personal hygiene
- Mobility
- Meal preparation
- May also include cognitive support and fall-prevention strategies
Classification
4
Qtr Budget
$7,386.33
Annual Amt
$29,545.33
Overview
Regular Personal and Home Assistance
- Near-daily support for personal care and household tasks
- Assistance with showering, dressing, cleaning and cooking
- Safety checks and home modifications to maintain a secure environment
Classification
5
Qtr Budget
$9,883.76
Annual Amt
$39,535.04
Overview
Daily Care with Health Oversight
- Daily personal care with added health monitoring
- Includes catheter hygiene, medication support and mobility help
- May include allied health services and transport for treatments
Classification
6
Qtr Budget
$11,989.35
Annual Amt
$47,957.41
Overview
Ongoing Clinical and Health Care
- Personal care combined with regular nursing and allied health services
- Includes wound care, injections and physiotherapy
- Homes may be adapted for medical safety and chronic condition management
Classification
7
Qtr Budget
$14,530.53
Annual Amt
$58,122.13
Overview
Intensive Daily Multidisciplinary Support
- Multiple daily visits from a coordinated care team
- Full support with personal and daily living needs
- Delivered by nurses and allied health professionals to maintain quality of life
Classification
8
Qtr Budget
$19,427.25
Annual Amt
$77,709.00
Overview
Specialist In-Home and Palliative Care
- Highest level of in-home care for advanced or terminal conditions
- Focuses on symptom and pain relief, 24/7 clinical care, and emotional support
- Aims to preserve dignity and comfort at the end of life
Key Info for Clients Transitioning from a Home Care Package (HCP)
- If you were approved or assessed for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024, the ‘no worse off’ principle applies, which means your contribution costs will stay the same or decrease.
- If you don’t currently pay fees, you won’t pay any under the new Support at Home program, even if your care level increases.
- If you do currently pay fees, your costs will be the same or lower under Support at Home.
- You’ll keep your current package level and any unspent Home Care Package funds, which can still be used for assistive technology, home modifications, and other approved services under Support at Home.
Enhanced Specialised Support
Assistive Technology & Home Modifications
- Immediate funding available from $500 to $15,000, based on individual needs.
- Covers essential equipment and modifications such as:
- Mobility aids (e.g. walking sticks, frames, wheelchairs)
- Toileting supports (e.g. bedpans, commodes)
- Bathing equipment (e.g. shower chairs, bath boards)
- Funding levels:
– Low: under $500
– Medium: up to $2,000
– High: up to $15,000 (nominal amount)
- In some cases, funding may exceed $15,000 if a prescribed need is identified.
- If you haven’t accessed this support or need help with approval, Elka Home Care can guide you through the assessment process.
Restorative care pathway
- Replaces the Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Program.
- Offers up to 16 weeks of intensive, short-term care (double the previous duration).
- Helps older adults:
- Regain independence and daily living skills
- Manage age-related changes
- Delay or avoid long-term or higher-level care
- Eligible individuals receive $6,000 in funding for intensive allied health and nursing services.
End-of-life pathway
- Available to both existing Support at Home participants and new entrants.
- Provides up to $25,000 in funding over 12 weeks.
- Funding can be used over up to 16 weeks for increased flexibility.
Clearer Service Categories
Support will now be delivered and funded under three defined service categories to better match each person’s needs:
- Clinical Care – includes services like nursing and physiotherapy
- Independence – covers personal care support
- Everyday Living – includes tasks like cleaning and gardening
Clinical Care
Fully government-funded – no out-of-pocket costs for participants.
- Nursing care (e.g. wound care, medication management, chronic disease support)
- Allied health services (e.g. physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychology)
- Nutritional guidance (e.g. dietitian-led meal planning)
- Care coordination and restorative care programs
Independence
Participants contribute to costs based on financial circumstances.
- Personal care (e.g. assistance with dressing, showering)
- Social and community participation (e.g. outings, transport, companionship)
- Therapeutic supports (e.g. occupational or speech therapy, acupuncture)
- Respite services (e.g. giving carers a break)
- Assistive technology and home modifications (e.g. mobility aids, handrails)
Everyday living
Greater participant contribution required – self-funded retirees may pay up to 80%. Focus is on health and independence rather than general household help.
- Domestic tasks (e.g. cleaning, laundry, meal prep)
- Home maintenance and small repairs (e.g. fixing steps)
- Meal services (e.g. delivered meals or cooking assistance)
How the changes will affect you
- If you were approved for a Home Care Package before 12 September 2024: Your care plan will automatically transition to the new service categories, with no changes to your current fees or budget.
- If you’re approved on or after 12 September 2024, or you're new to Support at Home:
Your services will follow the new category structure and contribution rules.
Our Simplified Assessment Process
Under the new Support at Home program, a single Assessment Workforce will manage all assessments. This replaces the current system of assessments being handled by multiple organisations (RAS, ACAT, AN-ACC).
- Step 1
Check your eligibility
If you’re not already receiving services through My Aged Care, you’ll need to check your eligibility for an assessment. You can do this online at the My Aged Care website or by calling 1800 200 422.
- Step 2
Get assessed at home
If your application is successful, you’ll be referred for an in-person home assessment. This helps determine the type and level of care you may need.
- Step 3
Receive your support plan
Once you’re approved for the Support at Home program, you’ll receive a Notice of Decision along with a personalised support plan. This plan can then be shared with your preferred care provider.
Fairer contribution structure
Under the new Support at Home program, how much you pay will depend on your income, your assets (as assessed under the Age Pension means test), and the type of services you receive. The program ensures a fairer structure by tailoring contributions across three categories:
Full Pensioner
Clinical care is fully covered, independence supports may require up to a 5% contribution, and everyday living services may cost up to 17.5%.
Part Pensioner
Clinical care remains fully covered. Independence supports may range from 5% to 50%, and everyday living services may cost between 17.5% and 80%.
Self-funded Retiree
Clinical care is fully covered. Independence supports may cost up to 50%, and everyday living services may cost up to 80%.
If you're currently on the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program, you won’t be worse off under the new system.
If you were approved for or receiving a package on or before 12 September 2024, you'll continue paying the same or lower contributions.
If you haven’t paid HCP fees before, you won’t need to start now, even if your care level changes. The lifetime HCP cap of $82,018 (indexed) still applies.
Your contribution amount may adjust over time, depending on changes to your care needs, financial situation, or scheduled indexation updates in March and September.
Frequently Asked Questions
What determines how much I’ll need to contribute under the new program?
Your contribution is based on your income, your assets (assessed through the Age Pension means test), and the type of services you receive: Clinical Care, Independence, or Everyday Living.
Will I have to pay more under the Support at Home program?
Not if you were approved for or receiving a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024. You’ll continue paying the same or less than you currently do.
Do self-funded retirees pay more than pensioners?
Yes, self-funded retirees may contribute more towards everyday living and independence services, but clinical care remains fully covered for everyone.
Do self-funded retirees pay more than pensioners?
Yes. The Home Care Package lifetime cap of $82,018 (indexed) remains in place and still protects those who were subject to contributions under HCP.
Can my contribution amount change over time?
Yes. Your fees may be adjusted if your care needs or financial circumstances change, or when indexation updates occur each March and September.