Do pensioners have to pay for Support at Home?
A full pensioner generally pays 5% toward independence services and 17.5% toward everyday living services, while clinical supports are free. Some transitioned Home Care Package recipients pay less or nothing-under the no worse off principle, and approved personal care will become free for everyone from 1 October 2026.
Key points
- Some pensioners may contribute to certain services, while clinical services are government funded.
- The agreed provider price and the participant's contribution percentage are different things.
- Statements and written price information should allow the charge to be checked.
Usually, yes but not for every service.
Under the standard Support at Home contribution arrangements, a full pensioner currently pays:
Full pensioner
Clinical supports 0%
Independence services 5%
Everyday living services 17.5%
The percentage applies to the provider’s agreed price for each service you actually receive. The Australian Government pays the remaining amount from your Support at Home funding.
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01Guide sectionWhat services are free?
Clinical supports are fully government funded, so there is no participant contribution.
These may include approved services such as:
nursing care
physiotherapy
occupational therapy
podiatry
dietetics
continence assessment
some other clinical and allied health services
care management.
The service must be approved in your support plan and classified as a clinical support under the Support at Home service list.
02Guide sectionWhat are independence services?
Independence services help you manage everyday activities and remain safely at home.
They may include:
personal care
social support
transport
respite
assistive technology
home modifications
support with medication
therapeutic services that are not classified as clinical supports.
A full pensioner currently contributes 5% of the agreed service price.
For example, if an independence service costs $100, the full pensioner contribution would generally be $5 and the government-funded budget would cover the remaining $95.
03Guide sectionPersonal care becomes free from 1 October 2026
Until 30 September 2026, personal care is generally treated as an independence service, meaning a full pensioner may pay the 5% contribution.
From 1 October 2026, approved personal care services will move into the clinical supports category and become fully government funded.
This includes services such as assistance with:
showering
dressing
toileting
continence management
personal hygiene.
From that date, participants will not pay a contribution for approved personal care services.
04Guide sectionWhat are everyday living services?
Everyday living services are supports that people ordinarily pay for themselves throughout life.
They may include:
domestic assistance
cleaning
gardening
home maintenance
meal preparation
meal delivery.
A full pensioner generally contributes 17.5% of the agreed service price.
For example, if a cleaning service costs $100:
the participant pays $17.50
the government-funded budget pays $82.50.
The actual dollar amount therefore depends on the provider’s price and how much of the service you receive.
05Guide sectionDo pensioners pay a daily or weekly fee?
No standard daily fee applies under Support at Home.
Contributions are calculated as a percentage of each chargeable service delivered. You should only pay when you actually receive the service.
This means your contribution can vary from one month to another depending on:
the services you use
the number and duration of visits
the provider’s agreed prices
whether the services are clinical, independence or everyday living supports.
06Guide sectionDoes being on a pension automatically mean the service is free?
No.
The Age Pension does not automatically exempt someone from Support at Home contributions.
A full pensioner receives the lowest standard contribution rates, but usually still pays toward independence and everyday living services.
Part pensioners may pay higher percentages depending on their assessed income and assets.
07Guide sectionHow is the contribution rate decided?
Services Australia determines the participant’s contribution rate using income and assets information.
For most pensioners, Services Australia already holds much of the information needed through the pension system. Participants should still respond to any request for additional financial information.
The contribution rate should be confirmed in writing and applied by the provider to the relevant services.
08Guide sectionWhat about people protected by the no worse off principle?
Different rules may apply to people who were approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024.
Under the no worse off principle:
someone who did not pay an income-tested care fee under their Home Care Package generally continues to pay no Support at Home contributions
someone who did pay an income-tested care fee should pay the same amount or less under Support at Home.
This means some full pensioners who transitioned from a Home Care Package may pay nothing, even though the standard full-pensioner rates are 5% and 17.5%.
The provider and Services Australia should confirm whether the no worse off arrangements apply.
09Worth checkingWhat if I cannot afford the contribution?
Financial hardship assistance may be available where a person cannot pay for reasons beyond their control.
Do not simply stop essential services without discussing the issue.
Contact:
Services Australia
My Aged Care on 1800 200 422
your Support at Home provider
OPAN on 1800 700 600 for independent advocacy.
A provider should also help you understand your contribution rate, service prices and available alternatives.
10Guide sectionWhat should I check on my statement?
Check that:
clinical services have a 0% contribution
the correct percentage has been applied
you were only charged for services received
the provider used the agreed service price
cancelled or missed services were handled according to the agreement
any no worse off protection has been correctly recorded
personal care becomes contribution-free from 1 October 2026.
Query any charge that does not identify the service, price and participant contribution clearly.
11Guide sectionWhat should I do next?
Check the Services Australia contribution notice and the provider's current price list.
Compare the monthly statement with services actually delivered.
Ask for a written explanation of any price, contribution or cancellation charge you do not understand.
12Guide sectionHelpful Local Home Help resources
13Guide sectionCheck the official guidance
Check current official costs and pricing guidance. Aged care rules, funding amounts and program guidance can change, so check the current official information before making an important care or financial decision.
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