Support at Home 2025: How It Helps Aged Care Participants

Written by Bloom Healthcare

Aged Care Services

What is the Support at Home Program for Aged Care?

The Support at Home program is designed to simplify and improve in-home aged care by replacing multiple existing programs with a more flexible, needs-based model. From 1 July 2025, it will replace:

The new Age Care Act plays a crucial role in the implementation of the Support at Home program, outlining the staged introduction of various programs and new regulations to level up aged care services.

Key changes include:

The new Aged Care Act underpins the rollout, ensuring greater accountability, quality of care, and person-centred support for older Australians.

For a full breakdown of available services, funding details, and how these changes may impact you, visit the official Support at Home program page.

Overview of the Support at Home Program

The Support at Home program is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enabling older Australians to live independently in their homes for as long as possible. 

This new system promises to be more efficient, responsive, and sustainable, replacing the current Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care. Under this program, older Australians will receive a budget that allows them to access a variety of services and support tailored to their individual needs and preferences. 

The Australian Government will cover 100% of clinical care services, ensuring that essential health needs are met. However, older Australians will be required to contribute towards support services such as showering, gardening, and meal preparation, making the system both comprehensive and fair.

Key Objectives and Benefits

Accessibility – How Will Support at Home Make Care Easier to Access?

The Support at Home program simplifies access to in-home aged care by:

Personalised Care – How Will Support at Home Tailor Services to Individual Needs?

The program is designed to provide more tailored, flexible support by:

Comprehensive Support – What Services Will Be Available?

Support at Home will provide a broad range of essential services, including:

Differences from Current Programs

The Support at Home program replaces the Home Care Packages (HCP) and Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) with a simpler, more flexible model. Here’s how it differs from the current system:

Single Aged Care Assessment (Instead of Multiple Systems)

Current System:

New System (Support at Home):

Flexible Service Levels & Quarterly Budgets (Replacing Fixed Packages)

Current System:

New System (Support at Home):

Greater Focus on Early Intervention & Preventative Care

Current System:

New System (Support at Home):

Who is Eligible?

Older Australians aged 65 years and over (or 50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) who require assistance to remain independent at home will be eligible for Support at Home.

Eligibility will be determined through a comprehensive assessment, ensuring services are matched to individual needs. In some exceptional cases, individuals under 65 may qualify for aged care services if NDIS support is not suitable for their needs.

Pricing and Funding

The funding structure of the Support at Home program will closely resemble that of the current Home Care Packages in several ways. However, there will be a notable shift in financial expectations for Australian seniors with the means to contribute more. 

The government will continue to cover health-related costs, but seniors will be expected to pay a higher share for other support services. In-home care costs will be divided into three categories, ensuring clarity and transparency. 

Additionally, a lifetime cap of $130,000 will be applied to non-clinical care costs, which includes both in-home care and residential care. This approach aims to balance affordability with the sustainability of the aged care system.

Key Changes and What They Mean for You

Simplified Access

The introduction of a Single Assessment System will streamline the process of accessing in-home care. This system replaces multiple assessments with a unified approach, ensuring timely support for those who need it.

As part of the reforms introduced by the Support at Home program, there is a strong focus on aged care quality to enhance the standards of service delivery.

Continuity and Innovation

While many existing services will remain available, Support at Home will introduce:

Impact on Current and New Recipients

Transitioning from Home Care Packages

For those currently receiving Home Care Packages, there is no need to worry about increased costs. 

Seniors who already have a Home Care Package or are approved for one before July 2025 will transition to the new Support at Home system without any additional financial burden. The government has assured that individuals will not pay more than they currently do or would under the existing system. 

This guarantee provides peace of mind for current recipients, ensuring that their care remains consistent and affordable as they move into the new program.

Prioritisation and Wait Times

The Support at Home program is set to significantly expand its capacity, aiming to add 300,000 more places over the next decade. 

By 2035, it is expected that around 1.4 million Australians will be receiving care under this program. While initial wait times for Home Care Packages will carry over into the Support at Home program, the aged care prioritisation system will undergo key changes to improve efficiency. The program is designed to reduce wait times as it scales up, ensuring that more Australians can access the care they need in a timely manner.

How Will Support at Home Affect NDIS and Aged Care Services?

The introduction of Support at Home raises important questions about its impact on aged care recipients who also receive NDIS-funded services.

The aged care sector plays a crucial role in the integration of Support at Home with other services, ensuring that the varied costs and service delivery models are adequately reflected.

Relationship Between Support at Home and NDIS Services

Support at Home is designed specifically for older Australians, while NDIS remains the primary funding program for people under 65 with a disability. However, there may be some overlap for older Australians receiving both aged care and disability support.

Will NDIS Participants Experience Changes?

NDIS participants already receiving support under their plans will not be automatically transferred to Support at Home. Instead, they will continue receiving NDIS-funded services. However, older Australians not eligible for NDIS but requiring in-home support will benefit from the streamlined aged care system.

How Should Providers Prepare?

What Services and Support Will Be Available?

Support at Home will offer a wide range of services designed to meet individual needs, including:

The new Aged Care Act will play a crucial role in defining the services and support available under the Support at Home program.

Personal Care and Daily Support

Healthcare and Allied Health Services

While these services are typically provided under the Support at Home program, it’s important to note that residential aged care offers a different model of care, focusing on comprehensive, facility-based services for those who require more intensive support.

Home Modifications and Assistive Technology

Social and Community Engagement

Unlike the previous Home Care Packages, Support at Home will introduce flexible service levels with quarterly budgets, ensuring care plans remain adaptable as needs change.

What Should You Do to Prepare for the Changes?

For Current Recipients and Families:

For Aged Care Service Providers:

Staged Implementation and Timeline

The implementation of the Support at Home program will be carried out in phases to ensure a smooth transition. Phase 1 will see the Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs transition to Support at Home from 1 July 2025. Phase 2 will involve the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) transitioning no earlier than 1 July 2027. 

Until these transitions occur, current in-home aged care programs will continue to operate under existing arrangements. Additionally, the Australian Government has announced a delay in the introduction of price caps on in-home services. Initially set to commence from 1 July 2025, these government-set price caps will now be introduced from 1 July 2026, providing additional time for a smooth implementation.

Stay Ahead of the Changes

The Support at Home program represents a significant transformation in aged care. Staying informed and preparing in advance will ensure that recipients, families, and service providers can navigate the transition smoothly.

For more information, visit the Australian Government’s Support at Home webpage. If you need personalised guidance, reach out to Bloom Healthcare to discuss how these changes may affect you.

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What is the Support at Home program?

Support at Home is a government-funded aged care program designed to simplify and improve in-home aged care for older Australians. From 1 November 2025, it replaced multiple existing aged care programs, consolidating fragmented services into a single, coordinated approach to delivering care in home environments.

Which programs did Support at Home replace, and when?

Support at Home replaced Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) from 1 November 2025. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) is scheduled to transition to Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027.

How does the assessment process change under Support at Home?

Support at Home introduces a unified, single assessment system that replaces the multiple assessments previously required under different aged care programs. This reduces confusion and delays for older people seeking care, eliminates the need for separate assessments when care needs change, and makes accessing services faster and more seamless.

How is funding structured under Support at Home compared to the old system?

Instead of being locked into fixed package levels, Support at Home operates on flexible quarterly budgets based on assessed needs. This allows funding allocations to be adjusted as circumstances change, gives recipients support tailored to their specific care requirements, and keeps care plans adaptable throughout the year.

What is the classification framework used in Support at Home?

Support at Home uses a structured classification framework consisting of 8 ongoing funding classifications for continuous services, 3 short-term pathways covering assistive technology and home modifications, restorative care, and end-of-life care, and 4 transitioned Home Care Package classifications for people approved under the previous system.

Who publishes this article about Support at Home 2025, and when was it published/updated?

The article was published by Bloom Healthcare, with the article's dateModified metadata showing an original publish date of 18 March 2025 and a last modified date of 17 April 2026 (with the page's article:modified_time meta tag also listing 1 September 2026).

What topics does the Support at Home 2025 article cover according to its description?

According to the page's meta description, the article breaks down major updates coming to aged care support at home, including eligibility, regulated pricing, and the implementation of the new Aged Care Act.

What kind of organisation is Bloom Healthcare?

Bloom Healthcare is described as a boutique disability and aged care allied health provider that believes all people have the right to access quality healthcare. Its healthcare model focuses on evidence-based practice and client centricity, delivered by highly qualified health practitioners across Australia, and the company is legally named Bloom Healthcare Pty Ltd.

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