July 1 price changes: clarifying common myths about switching care providers
The new financial year has brought updated pricing across the aged care sector, and with it some confusion about what these changes mean. Many families have received a new service agreement and are now considering whether to stay with their current provider or explore other options. The points below aim to provide a clear, accurate picture so you can make an informed decision.
What actually changed this financial year:
Providers have updated their prices
Like most services, Aged Care Providers review their rates each financial year. When a provider adjusts its pricing, the change comes from the provider, not from a government decision. Any increase must be provided to you in writing through a new service agreement before it can apply, so silent rises are not permitted.
The government price caps did not come into effect
Maximum prices for Support at Home services had been scheduled to begin on 1 July 2026. The government deferred those caps, citing market volatility, with no new start date set. Providers continue to set their own prices for now.
Stronger protections are now active
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission can order refunds when providers have overcharged and can take action against those who fail to issue monthly statements. There is also a date ahead worth noting: from 1 October 2026, personal care becomes fully government-funded, with no client contribution. Your pricing may have shifted, which makes this a sensible time to review your agreement, not a reason to rush into anything.
Common myths about switching care providers
Myth 1: A price rise means you have to switch
An updated price is a prompt to read carefully, not a reason to leave. With your new agreement in hand, check whether the rates and services still suit your needs and budget. If everything fits, there is nothing you need to do. If something does not, it is reasonable to look around. The deciding factor should be whether another provider genuinely serves you better, not simply whether pricing has changed.
Myth 2: There is a government minimum on booking hours
No national rule sets a minimum visit length under the Support at Home program. Each provider sets its own policy, and these differ. Some do not offer visits under an hour or two because very short visits may not justify travel. Others offer shorter, more frequent visits. This can affect both your costs and how your week is organised.
Two questions help clarify this:
What is your minimum visit length?
How is travel time charged?
Home at Heart can explain both clearly.
Myth 3: Your care partner will be too involved or hard to reach
Support at Home requires your provider to conduct a care management activity at least once a month. That provides a guaranteed point of contact, so you are not left guessing who to call. A monthly minimum is a floor, not the whole relationship. Some people prefer a brief monthly check-in. Others want a care partner who stays closely in touch and responds when something changes. Ask any provider how regularly you will hear from them and who manages changes in your situation. The range of Support at Home Care Packages a provider offers often reflects the level of ongoing contact you can expect.
Myth 4: Switching means losing your workers and starting over
This concern is common. The reality has two parts.
What stays protected when you move:
Your funding follows you, including unspent amounts
No exit fees apply when you leave a provider
Your records must be passed to your new provider within 28 days of a request
Your former provider must report your remaining quarterly budget within 28 days of your exit date
Any unspent former Support at Home Package funds will be transferred across within 70 days of your exit date
What is not guaranteed is keeping the same support workers. Where workers are employed directly by your current provider, they generally remain with that provider. If you self-manage your care or a worker is willing to move with you, continuing that relationship may be possible. Switching is rarely a complete restart, but if a particular worker matters to you, raise it with both providers before deciding.
Myth 5: All providers are the same, so only price matters
Pricing matters, but it is one part of a larger picture. Two providers can quote similar rates and deliver care that feels very different.
Qualities that set a strong provider apart typically include:
How consistent your workers are from week to week
Whether the same person learns your routine and preferences
How quickly someone responds when your needs change
How clearly the provider communicates about costs and services
A slightly lower hourly rate means little if the care itself keeps changing hands.
How to review your options without the stress
A simple side-by-side check can make the decision clearer. Compare what you pay now against any new quote, line by line, and note the practical details next to each.
What to compare:
| What to compare | Current arrangement | New quote |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate for personal care | Check your agreement | Check their price list |
| Hourly rate for domestic help | Check your agreement | Check their price list |
| Nursing and clinical rates | Check your agreement | Check their price list |
| Minimum visit length | Ask your provider | Ask the new provider |
| Travel charges | Ask your provider | Ask the new provider |
| Frequency of care-partner contact | Ask your provider | Ask the new provider |
Consistent care you can rely on
At Home at Heart, continuity sits at the centre of how care is delivered. The same workers typically return week after week, learning each person’s routine, preferences, and the small details that make daily support feel comfortable rather than clinical. Pricing is published openly, so nothing is buried in an agreement. For older Australians across Wagga Wagga and the surrounding region, in-home support works best when it is built on trust and consistency. If you would like to discuss personalised In-Home Care options or review your agreement together, please call 1300 923 934.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Have aged care prices increased this financial year?
Some providers have adjusted their rates for the new financial year, but this is each provider setting its own prices, not a government increase. Any change must be presented in a new service agreement before it takes effect, so silent increases are not permitted.
Q: Will switching providers cost me my unspent funds?
No. Your funding moves with you, including unspent amounts, and there are no exit fees. Any unspent former Support at Home Package funds are transferred to your new provider within 70 days of your exit date.
Q: Can I keep my current support worker if I change providers?
Sometimes. Workers employed directly by your current provider usually stay there. If you self-manage your care or the worker is willing to move, keeping that relationship may be possible. Ask both providers before making your decision.
Q: How do I compare providers properly?
Put the details side by side: hourly rates, minimum visit lengths, travel charges, and how often you will hear from your care partner. Look beyond price to staff consistency and clarity of communication, as these shape your everyday experience.
Q: Why is support with personal hygiene important in aged care?
It supports health, dignity, and confidence every day, and it works best when provided by someone who knows the person well. Bathing, grooming, and continence care are personal tasks, and a worker who understands a person’s pace and preferences can help make these moments comfortable rather than stressful.
For more information about how Home At Heart can support your care needs, please contact our team.