Support at Home vs Home Care Packages

Written by Bloom Healthcare

Aged Care Services | Support at Home

If you or someone you support previously received a Home Care Package, you may be wondering what has changed under Support at Home.

The short answer is this:

Support at Home has replaced the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme. It is now the main Australian Government program for older people who need coordinated in-home aged care support.

But the bigger question is what that actually means in everyday life.

Home Care Packages were based on package levels

Under the old Home Care Packages system, people were approved for one of four package levels. Those levels were designed to reflect different levels of care need.

Many older Australians used Home Care Packages to access support such as personal care, domestic assistance, transport, nursing, allied health, equipment and other services that helped them remain at home.

For some people, the system worked well. For others, it could be confusing, slow or difficult to navigate.

Support at Home was introduced as part of wider aged care reform, with the aim of creating a clearer and more consistent in-home aged care system.

Support at Home uses classifications and service categories

Support at Home works differently.

If someone is approved for ongoing services, they are assigned a Support at Home classification based on their assessed care needs. My Aged Care explains that there are 8 ongoing funding classifications, plus transitioned Home Care Package classifications for people approved under the previous system.

Support at Home also uses a defined service list.

That list groups services into three main categories:

This matters because different categories can have different contribution rules.

Clinical Supports, such as nursing and Physiotherapy, are fully funded by the government. Independence Services and Everyday Living Services may require participant contributions, depending on the person’s circumstances.

What changed for people already on Home Care Packages?

People who transitioned from Home Care Packages have specific arrangements under Support at Home.

The government has applied a “no worse off” principle for people who were receiving, waiting for, or assessed as eligible for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024. This means they should pay the same or less in contributions under Support at Home than they would have under Home Care Package arrangements.

For families, this is an important point. A change in program name does not mean someone has to start from the beginning without protection or transition arrangements.

What did not change?

The goal has not changed.

The purpose is still to help older Australians stay living at home for as long as possible, with support that meets their needs.

Older people still need to be assessed through My Aged Care. They still choose providers. They still receive services based on assessed need. And they still have the right to ask questions, compare providers and understand how their support is being delivered.

What has changed is the structure around how services are classified, funded and organised.

Where allied health fits in now

Under Support at Home, allied health sits naturally within the broader goal of helping older people remain safe, well and independent.

A person may need Physiotherapy after a fall. They may need Occupational Therapy because the bathroom has become unsafe. They may need Speech Pathology after a stroke or Dietitian support after unplanned weight loss. 

These are not small extras. They can be central to whether someone can keep living safely at home.

Bloom Healthcare provides aged care allied health services across Australia, including Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Exercise Physiology, Speech Pathology, and Psychology/Counselling. 

The role of allied health is not simply to provide therapy. It is to help people maintain function, reduce risk and keep participating in daily life.

The main difference in plain English

Home Care Packages were the previous system.

Support at Home is the new system.

The biggest practical changes are:

For older Australians and families, the most important next step is understanding what has been approved in the person’s support plan, what services are needed, and which providers can help.

Need help understanding allied health options?

Bloom Healthcare can support older Australians and referrers with aged care allied health services that help maintain independence, safety and quality of life at home.

Make a Referral

Call 1300 771 465

Author

← Prev: What Is Thriving Kids? A Guide for Australian Families Next: How Support at Home Helps Older Australians Stay Independent →

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What is the topic of Bloom Healthcare's article 'Support at Home vs Home Care Packages'?

The article explains the difference between Support at Home and Home Care Packages, including what changed in Australia's aged care funding system and what it means for older Australians.

When did Support at Home replace Home Care Packages?

Support at Home commenced on 1 November 2025, replacing the previous Home Care Packages Program along with the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme.

How were care needs categorized under the old Home Care Packages system?

Under the old Home Care Packages system, eligible people were approved for one of four fixed package levels, each designed to reflect different levels of care need.

What types of support could people access under Home Care Packages?

People could access support such as personal care, domestic assistance, transport, nursing, allied health services, and equipment and other support services.

What were some drawbacks of the old Home Care Packages system?

While it worked well for some, the Home Care Packages system could be confusing, slow, or difficult to navigate for others, particularly when care needs changed and reassessment was required.

How many funding classifications does Support at Home use compared to the old system?

Support at Home assigns individuals to one of 8 ongoing funding classifications based on assessed care needs, plus 4 transitioned Home Care Package classifications for people approved under the previous system, compared to the four fixed levels used before.

How does Support at Home organize services differently from Home Care Packages?

Instead of fixed package levels, Support at Home groups services into three main categories with different contribution rules, including Clinical Supports, which are fully funded by the government.

Who publishes this article and what is Bloom Healthcare's focus?

The article is published by Bloom Healthcare, a boutique disability and aged care allied health provider that focuses on evidence-based practice and client-centred healthcare delivered by qualified health practitioners across Australia.

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