Support At Home Program
The Support at Home (SAH) program is the Australian Government’s newest model for in-home aged care, which started on 1 November 2025. It replaced current programs, such as the Home Care Package program, with a simpler, more consistent system designed to make care easier to understand and access.
What is Support at Home?
The program aims to give older Australians more choice, flexibility and fairness in the way care is delivered. Support at Home replaced two current services — the Home Care Package (HCP) Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme. Later on, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will also transition, but not before 1 July 2027.
The aim is clear: to bring together multiple programs into a single framework so people can receive the right type of care at the right time. This means fewer overlaps, clearer rules and a system that is easier to understand for older Australians, their families and those managing their care.
Program Overview
So, what is Support at Home? In simple terms, it’s a comprehensive program that:
Brings together different funding programs into one structure
Offers 8 funding levels that better match different needs
Provides easier access to reassessments if needs change
Ensures rights, dignity and independence are at the forefront
For older people and families who may have found the existing system confusing, the new Support at Home program is designed to help simplify parts of the process. While some programs, such as CHSP, remain separate, Support at Home aims to create clearer pathways for accessing approved services, funding and assessments.
These changes can still feel confusing, especially when working out what applies to your situation. Our team can help explain how Support at Home works, what it may mean for your care and which options may be available to you.
When did Support at Home start? A timeline
The start of Support at Home shifted more than once, which is why you may have seen earlier references to delays. The program officially commenced on 1 November 2025.
This delay was not a setback but a considered decision. Transitioning from long-standing programs like HCP and STRC to a new system required significant preparation. This included upgrading IT systems, training staff nationwide and ensuring home care providers and suppliers were ready to deliver services under the new framework. The additional time allowed these preparations to be completed properly, helping minimise disruption for older Australians receiving care.
The key timeline is as follows:
1 November 2025
From 1 November 2025, the HCP and STRC were replaced by Support at Home. However, funding and transition arrangements vary depending on a person’s circumstances, including whether they were already receiving a Home Care Package, had been assessed as eligible before the relevant cut-off date or are newly assessed under Support at Home.
People who transitioned from a Home Care Package receive an ongoing funding level equivalent to their previous package. Those assessed as eligible for a Home Care Package as of 31 October 2025 were moved to the Support at Home Priority System and may receive equivalent funding when a place becomes available. New participants are assessed under the Support at Home classification system, with funding based on their assessed needs.
1 July 2027 (earliest)
CHSP is expected to join SAH no earlier than July 2027. Until then, CHSP continues separately for those with low-level care needs.
The government has said that staging the rollout this way ensures older Australians can trust that the support they rely on will continue while the new program is phased in. For families and carers, it provides reassurance that there won’t be sudden changes or confusion when the date arrives.
The government has said that staging the rollout this way ensures older Australians can trust that the support they rely on will continue while the new program is phased in. For families and carers, it provides reassurance that there won’t be sudden changes or confusion when the date arrives.
What to expect — key changes
The new Support at Home program is more than just a consolidation of existing services. It has important reforms that aim to give people more control, better access to services and clearer funding arrangements.
New classifications and budgets
There are now eight classifications for ongoing services, ranging from $11,000 to $78,000 annually, and 3 additional short-term pathways. Each classification comes with a quarterly budget, determined by an aged care assessment. This is designed to ensure people are matched to the level of funding they truly need rather than being placed into broad categories that may not reflect their situation.
Focus on independence
The Support at Home program puts independence at the centre. Additional funding pathways, such as the Restorative Care Pathway, provide short-term allied health and therapy services, nursing, assistive technology, home modifications and more to help people regain or maintain their abilities. This is especially important for older Australians recovering from illness or injury who want to remain active and self-sufficient.
End-of-life support
For people in their final stage of life, the End-of-Life Pathway now offers extra funding up to $25,000, for up to 12 weeks. This is designed to help older Australians remain at home, with dignity and comfort, if that is their choice.
Access to equipment and modifications
The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme provides direct funding for essential aids, equipment and home changes. Instead of waiting or saving from ongoing budgets, people can now access supports like mobility aids or bathroom modifications as soon as they are approved.
Fairer contributions
Participant contributions are still linked to income, assets assessments and pension status. The government has outlined that:
- Clinical supports require no contribution
- Independence services involve a moderate contribution
- Every day living services involve the highest contribution
Those already on HCPs as of September 2024 will not pay more than under their existing arrangements, ensuring fairness in the transition.
Pricing reforms
Support at Home providers (or previous Home Care Package providers) continue to set their own prices on services during the early phase of the program.
While government-set price caps had previously been planned for 1 July 2026, the government has since announced an indefinite pause on their implementation and introduced additional consumer protections for Support at Home participants. These protections are designed to improve price transparency, support fairer pricing and help older Australians better understand what they’re being charged for.
Transition for current Home Care Package recipients
People who were already receiving a Home Care Package, or who had been assessed as eligible by the relevant cut-off date, may have different transition and contribution arrangements under Support at Home. In many cases, these clients receive equivalent funding and may be protected by “no worse off” arrangements rather than being treated in the same way as newly assessed participants.
People waiting for a Home Care Package may also move into the Support at Home Priority System, with funding and timing depending on their assessment date, priority and individual circumstances.
What’s included in the Support at Home program?
Support at Home is broad in scope. It covers ongoing supports as well as targeted short-term programs.
Ongoing services
These day-to-day supports help many older Australians live safely and independently at home. Under the new Support at Home program, these services are grouped into three main categories:
- Clinical Support — health-related services that help manage medical conditions or recovery at home.
- Independence Support — assistance to help you stay active, mobile, and connected to your community.
- Everyday Living Support — practical help with daily tasks like cleaning, home maintenance & gardening, or preparing meals.
Each participant has one main home care provider (like Homecare My Way) who is responsible for organising and delivering these supports. The provider may deliver services directly or allow you to arrange them through approved suppliers. A quarterly budget will ensure funding is allocated fairly and transparently.
Short-term pathways
Short-term pathways are separate funding options for specific situations rather than ongoing day-to-day care. They’re designed to provide extra support when a person has a particular short-term need.
- Restorative Care Pathway — Offering up to 16 weeks of intensive health and therapy services aimed at regaining independence and avoiding higher levels of care.
- End-of-Life Pathway — Extra support for people with a life expectancy of three months or less, helping them remain at home with dignity and the right level of care.
In addition to the pathways outlined above, the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme is another type of funding for essential equipment and changes to the home environment, designed to improve safety, mobility and daily comfort. This is so you don’t have to save up your funding for much-needed support and equipment.
These help keep the program flexible, adapting to your short- or long-term needs so your care matches your life stage and goals.
What is Homecare My Way’s role?
With the Support at Home program now in effect, older Australians may need guidance on how to understand their assessments, manage their budgets and access the right mix of services. This is where Support at Home providers like Homecare My Way play an important role.
We can:
Help you understand how your care plan is structured under SAH
Explain your options for self-management and what level of involvement you’d like in organising your services
Ensure you’re connected with reliable suppliers who deliver in-home care support services aligned with your plan
Provide clear information about budgets and fees, so you can maximise the value of your funding
Ensure you can get the most value through your SAH funding.
We also share resources and guidance to keep you informed. For example, you can read our overview on how self-management works within the Support at Home program or explore insights into the broader 2025 aged care reforms.
The Support at Home program is a big change, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Homecare My Way is here to guide you through every step, from understanding your assessment to making the most of your budget and choosing the right suppliers. If you’d like support preparing for the new Support at Home program, get in touch with our team today. We’ll help you feel confident and in control of your care.
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FAQs
What is in-home care?
In-home care is support that helps older Australians stay living at home safely and independently, rather than moving into residential aged care. Through the Australian Government’s Support at Home (SAH) program, older people can access a wide range of services including personal care, domestic assistance, nursing, meal preparation, gardening, transport and allied health.
How does in-home care work?
Once you’ve been assessed and assigned Support at Home funding, you choose a home care provider and together build a care plan around your needs and goals. Your funding is divided into a quarterly budget, which you can use across clinical services, independence support and everyday living assistance.
Homecare My Way is an SAH provider that makes this process simple and stress-free. We connect you with trusted suppliers, help you get the most out of your funding and with our self-managed model, you stay in control of who delivers your care and when. Your dedicated Customer Care Manager is always there to keep everything running smoothly.
How do I qualify for in-home care?
To access government-funded in-home care through the Support at Home program, you need to meet a few key criteria:
- You are an older Australian aged 65 or over (or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) who needs support to remain living at home.
- You have been assessed by a government assessor through My Aged Care.
- You have been approved and assigned a funding pathway based on your needs.
Once you meet the criteria, here’s how the process works:
- Contact My Aged Care to register and request a home assessment.
- A government assessor visits to understand your needs and determine the right funding pathway.
- Once approved, you’ll be placed into the Support at Home Priority System and assigned a funding level when a place becomes available.
Homecare My Way can walk you through every step and help you feel prepared before and after your assessment.
How much does in-home care for elderly Australians cost?
The cost of in-home care isn’t one-size-fits-all. Under the Support at Home program, the government covers a large portion of your care costs, but most people are also asked to contribute a small amount towards certain services.
How much you contribute depends on your income, assets, pension status and the types of aged care home support services you receive. The idea is simple: those who can afford to contribute a little more do and those who can’t are still fully supported.
If you were already receiving a Home Care Package before the transition, the government has confirmed you won’t pay more than you did previously.
Homecare My Way is committed to being upfront about fees so there are no surprises. Reach out to our team, and we’ll give you a clear picture of what to expect based on your situation
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