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The Australian Government is improving in-home aged care so older people can stay independent and live comfortably at home for longer. These changes follow recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety to ensure high-quality, easy-to-access care and tailored care to individual needs.
What’s changing?
A new program called Support at Home will replace existing home care services:
From 1 July 2025, it will replace the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Program.
From 1 July 2027 (or later), the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will also become part of Support at Home. Until then, CHSP will continue as usual.
How will Support at Home improve your care?
The program will provide better access to services, equipment, and home modifications to help older people stay healthy, active, and connected to their community.
Key Changes:
✅ Quarterly budgets – Home Care Package funds will now be provided every three months. If you don’t spend all your budget, you can roll over up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget (whichever is higher).
✅ Clear list of services – Services will be listed, so you know exactly what’s included, similar to the current Home Care Packages.
✅ No separate admin fees – Administration costs will be included in service prices instead of being charged separately.
✅ Care management funding – 10% of the quarterly budget will be set aside for care management support.
✅ Extra funding for equipment and home modifications – If eligible, you may receive additional funding for assistive technology (like mobility aids) and home modifications (like handrails or ramps).
These changes make in-home aged care simpler, fairer, and more flexible, ensuring older Australians get the support they need to live well at home.