- Quicker Access to Services
Additional funding will be allocated in the first two years of the new program to improve service delivery. By 1 July 2027, the program aims to reduce the average wait time for services to three months.
- New Classification System
Under the new program, participants will be assessed and classified into 10 funding categories, replacing the four levels of the current HCP program:
- The new classifications will align funding with participants’ specific care needs, with eight ongoing classifications and two short-term classifications for restorative care and end-of-life care.
- The highest ongoing classification will exceed the current Level 4 HCP, providing nearly $78,000 per year in funding.
- Service List and flexible care management
Under the Support at Home program, there will be a defined service list, grouping services into several categories:
- Clinical care (e.g. nursing and physiotherapy).
- Support for independence (e.g. personal care, transport, social support).
- Help with everyday living (e.g. cleaning, meals delivery, gardening).
Set price caps will apply to each service, and care management will be a flexible component of service delivery under the new program – with providers able to draw up to 10% of a participant’s budget to fund care management services.
- Quarterly Budgets
Each participant in the Support at Home program will be allocated a quarterly budget based on their classification:
- Participants will be able to save up to $1,000 or 10% of their quarterly budget, whichever is higher, and carry this balance forward to future quarters.
- Service providers will draw funds from participants’ budgets after services are delivered.
- Assistive Technology & Home Modifications
The program introduces a dedicated Assistive Technology and Home Modifications Scheme, providing participants with upfront access to a range of eligible supports, including assistive devices and home modifications. Participants will no longer need to use their care package funds for these supports.
- Restorative Care Pathway and End-of-Life Care
The Support at Home program introduces two new pathways:
- Expanding on the current Short-Term Restorative Care Program, the Restorative Care Pathway will offer up to 12 weeks of intensive allied health support, more than doubling the current capacity. This pathway will help participants restore or maintain their independence and prevent falls and other health issues.
- For participants with less than three months to live, the End-of-Life Care Pathway will prioritse access to services, offering a higher funding classification of $25,000 for up to 12 weeks to support participants wishing to remain at home. This pathway will complement existing palliative care services, such as symptom management and advanced care planning.
- Support for Providers in Thin Markets
Recognising that certain regions and demographic groups are underserviced, the Support at Home program includes funding for providers operating in thin markets (such as rural and remote regions), as well as providers supporting diverse groups (such as First Nations peoples, veterans, and people experiencing homelessness).
- Participant Contributions Framework
The introduction of a means-tested contribution framework means participants will contribute towards some services, while others will be fully funded by the government.
Key details:
- Clinical care (e.g. nursing and physiotherapy) will be fully funded by the government, with no participant contribution.
- Independence services (e.g. personal care) will attract moderate contributions of 5% to 50%, based on the participant’s income and assets.
- Everyday living services (e.g. cleaning, gardening) will have the highest contribution rates of 17.5% to 80%, recognising that these services are typically not funded at other stages of life.
The contribution rates will depend on the participant’s income and assets, based on their eligibility for government assistance, including the Age Pension or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. For example:
- Full pensioners will pay:
- 0% for clinical care
- 5% for independence services
- 17.5% for everyday living services
- Self-funded retirees will contribute:
- 0% for clinical care
- 50% for independence services
- 80% for everyday living services
PREPARING FOR THE TRANSITION: From HCP to Support at Home
For participants receiving home care packages as of 30 June 2025, there will be a ‘no worse off’ principle, ensuring that these individuals will not face higher contributions under the new system. They will retain their current level of funding and any unspent funds when transitioning to the Support at Home program.
If these individuals are reassessed and entitled to a higher classification, they will move to that classification level with appropriate funding under the new Support at Home program once it becomes available.
For aged care providers, the reform offers an opportunity to offer more tailored services, improve care coordination, and ensure that the right level of support is provided at the right time. In preparation for the program rollout from July 2025, providers will need to adjust for the new funding and service structures, particularly in relation to the means-tested contributions and the integration of assistive technology and restorative care pathways.
Our Health and Aged Care team is available to assist providers as they prepare for and change over to the Support at Home program.
Written by David McMullen and Ryan Callanan
