Support at Home Program 2026: Explained for Eligible Australians
Australia’s aged care system changed on 1 November 2025. The government replaced the Home Care Packages Program with the new Support at Home program.
If you or a family member receives in-home aged care, or you are starting the process, it may help to understand what this program means for you, what it covers, how costs work, and how to access support. This overview explains the program in clear terms to help you understand your options.
What Is the Support at Home Program?
The Support at Home program is the Australian Government’s primary funding program for aged care services delivered in a person’s own home. It commenced on 1 November 2025 under the Aged Care Act 2024, replacing the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Program. It followed the findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. The program is managed through Services Australia and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme has not yet transitioned and will move no earlier than 1 July 2027.
Who Is Eligible?
To access the program, you should be:
65 years of age or older, or 50 and above for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
An Australian resident
Assessed as needing support to remain at home
Eligibility is assessed through My Aged Care using the Integrated Assessment Tool. The assessment considers your health, home environment, and daily needs to determine whether in-home aged care funding is appropriate and at what level. Eligibility is based on care needs, not income. Income and assets generally influence how much you contribute to certain services once approved.
What Services Does It Cover?
The program funds a broad range of home care services across three categories:
Clinical Care
This includes nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, and podiatry. These services are fully government-funded for all participants. No co‑payment applies for clinical services.
Independence Support
This covers personal care assistance such as showering, grooming, and dressing, and products and equipment under the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT‑HM) scheme. Client contributions may apply depending on your financial circumstances.
Everyday Living
This includes light domestic work, gardening, meal preparation, and social support. These services generally attract the highest client contributions. Self‑funded retirees without a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card can pay up to 80% of the service cost.
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT‑HM)
Separate AT‑HM funding is available across three tiers, up to a maximum of $15,000, and must be used within 12 months of approval.
How Does Funding Work?
The previous four home care package levels have been replaced with eight classification levels. At the highest levels, annual funding can be more than $78,000 for people with complex clinical needs.
Funding is provided in quarterly budgets. If funds remain at the end of a quarter, up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget (whichever is higher) carries forward. Amounts above this limit do not carry over.
Funding is held by Services Australia, so you can change providers without losing your budget.
If there is a delay in funding after your assessment, you may receive 60% of your full classification budget as interim support while you wait.
Government price caps will apply to all services from 1 July 2026. Until then, providers set their own prices, so it is helpful to ask your provider what they charge now and whether they expect changes from July 2026.
A lifetime contribution cap of approximately $130,000, indexed twice yearly, applies. After you reach this cap, you do not pay further contributions for non‑clinical services.
How Is This Different From the Old System?
If you previously used Home Care Packages, the key changes are:
The four package levels are replaced by eight classification levels
Budgets are quarterly rather than annual.
Fund rollover is capped; previously, unspent funds could accumulate without limit.
Some people who previously paid no fees may now contribute to Independence and Everyday Living services.
If you were approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024, the Government’s “no worse off” principle applies. Your contributions will not increase compared to what you paid before. Any unspent funds from your old package will be transferred across, and you must use these before drawing on new AT‑HM funding.
How Do You Apply?
Register with My Aged Care at myagedcare.gov.au or by calling 1800 200 422.
Complete an aged care assessment using the Integrated Assessment Tool.
Receive your classification level and quarterly funding amount.
Complete a financial assessment with Services Australia to set your contribution rates.
Choose a registered provider. Once funding is assigned, you have 56 days to select one.
Work with your provider to develop a care plan.
If you skip the financial assessment, the maximum contribution rates apply. Financial hardship assistance is available through Services Australia if you are unable to meet your contributions.
Choosing the Right Provider
Once your funding is active, your choice of provider matters. A reliable aged care provider in Wagga Wagga will give you a written budget, explain which services are included in your care plan, and be transparent about pricing before you agree to proceed. Home at Heart is a locally owned and operated provider in Wagga Wagga. The team builds care plans around each person’s assessed needs, daily routine, and budget. When comparing providers, ask what the 10% care management deduction leaves in your usable quarterly budget, as this directly affects the number of service hours available each quarter.
What Happens If Your Needs Change?
You can request a reassessment through My Aged Care at any time. If your needs have increased, your classification level may be adjusted, which changes your quarterly funding. A dependable aged care provider in Wagga Wagga will monitor your care plan and advise when a reassessment may be appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Has the Support at Home program already started?
Yes. It commenced on 1 November 2025, replacing Home Care Packages and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme transitions no earlier than 1 July 2027.
Q: Will I pay more than I did under my Home Care Package?
Not if you were approved on or before 12 September 2024. The “no worse off” guarantee means your contributions stay the same or reduce.
Q: Are all services government‑funded?
No. Clinical services are fully funded. Independence and Everyday Living services generally require contributions based on your income and assets.
Q: What if I cannot afford my contributions?
You can apply for financial hardship assistance through Services Australia. There is also a lifetime cap of approximately $130,000 on total contributions, after which non‑clinical services do not attract further contributions.
Wrapping Up
Understanding your classification level, quarterly budget, contribution rates, and provider pricing are key steps. Home at Heart provides in‑home aged care in Wagga Wagga and the surrounding areas. Contact our team on 1300 923 934 or visit homeatheart.com.au to learn more about in‑home care support. For more information about how Home at Heart can support your care needs, please contact our team.