From 1 November 2025, Australia will start moving from Home Care Packages (HCP) to the new Support at Home program. If you are comparing the Support at Home vs. Home Care Package, the big question is what will change and what will stay the same. This guide breaks it down so you can plan with confidence.
Home Care Packages use four funding levels. Support at Home introduces eight classification levels, which allow funding to fit needs more precisely. In practice, this should reduce the gap between what you need and what your budget covers.
Under HCP, funds accrue across the year. Support at Home shifts to quarterly budgets. Unspent funds can roll between quarters up to AUD 1000 or 10%, whichever is greater, which is designed to keep money flowing to services you need now rather than sitting idle. Your budget is still based on your assessment and support plan.
Support at Home introduces a defined service list grouped into three categories:
Between Support at Home vs. the Home Care Package, contributions work differently. Under HCP, if you’re required to pay an income-tested care fee, this applies regardless of the service types you use. Support at Home links your contribution to the services you actually receive and your financial means. Clinical care will be fully government-funded. Independence and everyday living supports will have contributions that scale with income and assets.
If you were receiving or approved for a package before the key cut-off dates (12th September, 2024), the no worse off principle applies. That means you will not contribute more to your care than you would have under your previous arrangements.
HCP assessments have been delivered by different teams depending on program type. Support at Home moves to a Single Assessment System using the Integrated Assessment Tool. This new system should reduce duplication and make it easier to update your care when changes need to be made.
The current National Priority System will be replaced by a new prioritisation model with High, Medium or Standard ratings determined during assessment. If wait times run long, Support at Home can provide an interim allocation of a portion of your budget while you wait for full funding.
One standout difference between the Support at Home vs. Home Care Package is the move to capped unit prices for services, scheduled to start 1 July 2026. Until caps begin, providers set prices but must meet reasonableness and transparency rules. Caps will include the full cost of delivering a service, which is expected to reduce hidden administration charges and make comparisons easier.
Assistive technology and home modifications (AT-HM) receive dedicated funding under Support at Home. Your assessor can approve the right support based on your needs and your plan will specify what is covered. This separation should make it easier to organise ramps, rails, bathroom changes or equipment without draining your day-to-day service budget.
Choice and control stay central in the new model. If you prefer to be hands-on with selecting services and shaping your roster, you can explore self-management and work with a provider who supports that approach.
Support at Home keeps what matters most: staying independent at home, choosing who supports you and matching services to your needs. The differences aim to bring clearer rules and better transparency on prices. If you already have a package, you will move across with protections in place so you are not worse off.
Want help mapping your next steps or comparing the Support at Home vs. Home Care Package for your situation? The team at Homecare My Way can guide you through the changes and set up a plan that fits your lifestyle.
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