Support At Home Program
The Support at Home program is the Australian Government’s new model for in-home aged care, starting on 1 November 2025. It will replace 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. From 1 November 2025, Support at Home will replace two current services — the Home Care Packages (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 will simplify the process. Rather than navigating separate programs with different rules, everything will fall under one umbrella with consistent pathways, assessment tools and budgets.
When does Support at Home start? A timeline
The start of Support at Home has shifted more than once, which is why you may have seen references to the Support at Home program being delayed. While originally expected earlier, the program is now confirmed to begin 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 brand-new system is a complex task. It involves upgrading complex IT systems, training staff across the country and ensuring suppliers and providers are ready to deliver services under the new rules. The additional time allows these preparations to happen properly, so older Australians do not face unnecessary disruptions to their much-needed care.
The key timeline looks like this:
1 November 2025
HCP and STRC officially end, with participants moving into Support at Home. Anyone already receiving services will transition at their current funding level, and people waiting in the National Priority System will be placed into the new Support at Home Priority System.
1 July 2027 (earliest)
CHSP will join the program. 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.
What to expect — key changes
The new Support at Home program is more than just a consolidation of existing services. It introduces important reforms that aim to give people more control, better access to services and clearer funding arrangements.
New classifications and budgets
There will be eight classifications for ongoing services, ranging from $11,000 to $78,000 annually, and 2 additional short-term pathways. Each classification will come 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
Support at Home puts independence at the centre. Additional funding pathways, such as the Restorative Care Pathway, will provide short-term allied health and therapy services 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 will offer 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 will provide direct funding for essential aids, equipment and home changes. Instead of waiting or saving from ongoing budgets, people will be able to access supports like mobility aids or bathroom modifications as soon as they are approved.
Fairer contributions
Participant contributions will be linked to income, assets assessments and pension status. The government has outlined that:
- Clinical supports will require no contribution
- Independence services will involve a moderate contribution
- Every day living services will 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
Providers will continue to set their own prices on services during the early phase of the program. However, starting on 1 July 2026, the government will introduce price caps on services to prevent unexpected costs and make pricing more transparent for older Australians.
Together, these changes are designed to create a system that is easier to navigate, more responsive to changes in needs and fairer for everyone involved.
Transition for current Home Care Package recipients
Current HCP clients will move into Support at Home at a funding level that is equivalent to their current level. No new assessment is needed unless circumstances change. People waiting in the National Priority System will shift to the Support at Home Priority System and keep the budget they were assessed for.
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 will have one main provider (like Homecare My Way) who is responsible for organising and delivering these supports. The provider may deliver services directly or arrange them through approved suppliers. A quarterly budget will ensure funding is allocated fairly and transparently.
Short-term pathways
In addition to ongoing services, the new Support at Home program introduces reforms and provides specific pathways to address particular needs:
- 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?
As the Support at Home program takes effect, older Australians will need guidance on how to understand their assessments, manage their budgets and access the right mix of services. This is where providers like Homecare My Way play an important role.
We will:
Help you understand how your care plan is structured under Support at Home
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 services aligned with your support plan
Provide clear information about budgets and fees, so you can maximise the value of your funding
Make the transition to Support at Home smooth and easy for you to understand.
We also share resources and guidance to keep you informed. For example, you can read our overview on how self-management works in Support at Home 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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