Australia’s aged care system is entering a new chapter. From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program will begin replacing the existing Home Care Package (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care programs. Later, no earlier than 1 July 2027, the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) will also become part of this single system.
These reforms aim to create a simpler, more consistent and more transparent aged care model that helps older Australians continue living safely and independently at home.
Simplified Assessments
Under Home Care Packages:
Currently, older people are assessed by several organisations, such as ACATs and RAS. As their needs change, they often deal with multiple assessors, making the process confusing.
Under Support at Home:
The new Single Assessment System replaces multiple assessors with one consistent national workforce. This approach improves communication, reduces duplication and provides continuity as care needs evolve.
Faster Access to Funding
Under Home Care Packages:
Wait times can vary greatly. People often wait months, sometimes longer, before receiving their approved level of care.
Under Support at Home:
The new priority-based funding model uses standardised criteria to determine who receives care first. As a result, older Australians will experience faster access to essential supports when they need them most.
Flexible Budgets and Expanded Funding Levels
Under Home Care Packages:
Funding is annual and divided into four package levels. Unspent funds accumulate until used or reassessed.
Under Support at Home:
Funding will be distributed quarterly rather than annually, providing better predictability and flexibility. The program will also expand to include more funding levels, allowing support to be more closely matched to each person’s care needs.
Additionally, participants can carry a small portion of unspent funds into the next quarter, ensuring they have greater control over their care planning.
Expanded Short-Term Care Options
Under Home Care Packages:
Short-term care options are limited. Restorative programs are available but brief and assistive technologies or home modifications must be paid for using the main package funds.
Under Support at Home:
Older Australians will gain access to three enhanced short-term care pathways:
- Restorative Care Pathway: Focuses on regaining independence after illness or injury.
- Assistive Technology & Home Modifications Scheme: Provides a dedicated budget for mobility aids, adaptive devices and safety improvements.
- End-of-Life Pathway: Supports people who wish to remain at home during their final stage of life.
These pathways make care more flexible and responsive to changing circumstances.
Clearer Service Categories
Under Home Care Packages:
Services are individually listed and often vary between providers, making it harder to compare costs and inclusions.
Under Support at Home:
Services will be grouped into three structured categories for better clarity:
- Clinical Supports: Nursing and allied health services
- Independence Supports: Personal care and community access
- Everyday Living Supports: Household tasks, meals and domestic assistance
Grouping services this way makes it easier for participants to understand their options and manage their care plans effectively.
Fairer Contribution Framework
Under Home Care Packages:
Participants may pay a basic daily fee and, depending on their income, an income-tested care fee.
Under Support at Home:
The new national contribution framework will link fees directly to the type of service. Clinical services will require no contribution, while Independence and Everyday Living supports will involve proportional co-payments based on the participant’s financial situation.
Importantly, the “no worse off” principle ensures that existing Home Care Package recipients will not pay more than they do now.
Improved Pricing Transparency
Under Home Care Packages:
Providers currently determine their own service prices and management fees, which can lead to inconsistent costs across providers.
Under Support at Home:
The government will introduce pricing rules and, later, service price caps. These will limit how much providers can charge for individual services and care management, ensuring fair pricing and better value for participants.
As a result, older people and their families will have clearer insights into how their funding is used.
Smooth Transition and Continuity of Care
Under Home Care Packages:
Participants continue receiving support until the new system begins.
Under Support at Home:
All existing Home Care Package participants will automatically transition into Support at Home. Reassessments will occur only if needs change. And existing supports will continue seamlessly.
Additionally, the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) will remain in place until it is incorporated later, ensuring no interruption to essential services.
Greater Choice and Control
The Support at Home program places older Australians at the centre of their care decisions. With quarterly budgets, clear service categories and transparent pricing, participants can make informed choices about the services that matter most to them.
At SAN Support partnered with trilogy care, we help participants and their families understand these reforms, plan their care budgets and use their funding effectively to maintain independence and wellbeing at home.
Quick Comparison: Home Care Packages vs. Support at Home
| Feature | Home Care Package (HCP) | Support at Home Program |
| Assessment process | Multiple organisations such as ACATs and RAS handle assessments | One Single Assessment System managed by a unified workforce |
| Funding structure | Annual funding with four package levels | Quarterly budgets and expanded funding levels for more flexibility |
| Access to services | Wait times vary depending on demand | Priority-based funding system designed for fairer access |
| Short-term care options | Limited to restorative programs | Broader pathways: restorative care, assistive technology and end-of-life support |
| Service categories | Services listed individually | Grouped into Clinical, Independence and Everyday Living supports |
| Participant contributions | Daily and income-tested fees | Service-based contributions without daily fees |
| Pricing and transparency | Providers set their own management and service fees | Government-set price caps to ensure fairness |
Final Thoughts
The shift from Home Care Packages to the Support at Home program is one of Australia’s most significant aged care reforms. It promises more flexibility, faster access and greater transparency all designed to support older Australians to live confidently at home.
At SAN Support, we’ll continue to provide trusted guidance and information so you can navigate these changes smoothly and make informed care decisions that suit your needs and lifestyle.
*The information in this article provides a general overview and is not intended to be relied upon as personal or professional advice. Individual circumstances may vary. For the most accurate and up-to-date details about the Support at Home program and aged care reforms, please visit the Department of Health, Aged Care and Disability website or contact an authorised government representative.*
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