Support At Home Key New Terms

Talking about people in care

You may hear a few of these terms used depending on when someone entered the system or how they’re receiving services:

• New client — A person who joins Support at Home after it begins.
• Transitional client — Someone moving from the Home Care Package to Support at Home.
• Hybrid client — A person who receives services through Home Care Packages during the transition.
• Grandfathered client — Someone already on a Home Care Package before Support at Home starts, who will continue under the no worse off principle.

Assessment and planning

Under Support at Home, assessments are now completed through the Single Assessment System (SAS), which replaces the previous Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) and Regional Assessment Service (RAS) workforce. This creates one national process for assessing care needs, so clients don’t have to repeat assessments when their situation changes. The care plan will now be called a client agreement, which outlines the approved services, funding allocation and goals.

Funding and classifications

The funding model is also changing. Instead of receiving a daily subsidy, providers will now invoice the government quarterly for each client’s approved budget based on their individual classification.

The old funding levels 1–4 are being replaced by classification levels 1–8, along with three short-term pathways for temporary or transitional needs. This broader range allows for more accurate matching of support to each person’s circumstances.

A person’s financial contribution is now simply called their contribution, replacing the income-tested care fee (ITF). It reflects the amount a client contributes towards their approved services, based on their income and assets assessment (previously known as the means assessment).

Services and support categories

Under the new model, services are grouped more clearly into three categories:

• Clinical services — Nursing, allied health and medical-related care.
• Independence services — Programs that maintain or improve functional ability, such as physiotherapy or reablement.
• Everyday living services — Help with daily activities like cleaning, meals and transport.

The previous lists of inclusions and exclusions are now presented as two clearer resources: the Service List and the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) List, outlining what can be funded under each category.

The existing Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) program continues under Support at Home as the Restorative Care Pathway, which provides short-term, goal-oriented support designed to help people regain independence after illness or injury.

Make sense of the changes with Homecare My Way 

These updates aim to make aged care easier to navigate, more transparent and more person-centred. Understanding terms like “care recipient” and “Single Assessment System” helps families and individuals feel informed when planning care or managing funding.

For more clarity on how these changes affect self-managed home care or how to transition to the Support at Home program, Homecare My Way provides the guidance you need. Get in touch on 1300 422 123 to learn more about managing your care the way you want under the new Support at Home model.