How are Support at Home contributions calculated?
The provider’s agreed service price is multiplied by the contribution percentage set by Services Australia. You pay that amount, while the government-funded budget pays the remainder. Clinical supports remain contribution-free.
Key points
- Contributions depend on your income and assets, the type of service and the agreed service price.
- 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.
Support at Home contributions are calculated using two things:
The category of service you receive
Your financial circumstances
Services Australia determines your contribution percentages. Your provider then applies the relevant percentage to the agreed price of each service you receive.
The basic calculation is:
Provider’s agreed service price × your contribution percentage = the amount you pay
The Australian Government pays the remaining amount from your available Support at Home funding.
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01Guide sectionThe three contribution categories
Support at Home services are divided into three categories.
Clinical supports
Clinical supports have a 0% participant contribution.
These may include approved services such as:
nursing
physiotherapy
occupational therapy
podiatry
dietetics
speech pathology
other approved allied health services
care management.
You do not pay anything out of pocket for these services. The provider claims the full agreed price from your available government-funded budget.
Independence services
Independence services generally attract a moderate contribution.
These may include:
personal care until 30 September 2026
transport
social support
respite
medication assistance
assistive technology
home modifications.
Under the standard contribution arrangements, the rate ranges from 5% to 50%, depending on your income, assets and pension status.
From 1 October 2026, approved personal care will move into the clinical supports category. Participants will then pay no contribution for personal care delivered from that date.
Everyday living services
Everyday living services attract the highest contribution rates.
These may include:
domestic assistance
cleaning
gardening
home maintenance
meal preparation
meal delivery.
Under the standard arrangements, contribution rates range from 17.5% to 80%.
02Guide sectionHow does Services Australia calculate my rate?
Services Australia uses an income and assets assessment to determine your individual contribution percentages.
It may consider:
your pension or income-support status
assessable income
financial assets
other assessable assets
whether you are single or part of a couple
whether you own your home
deemed income from financial assets.
If you receive the Age Pension or another government payment, Services Australia may already hold much of the information it needs.
Other participants may need to complete the Support at Home financial assessment form.
03Guide sectionWhat are the standard rates?
Under the standard contribution arrangements:
A full pensioner generally pays:
0% for clinical supports
5% for independence services
17.5% for everyday living services.
A part pensioner or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holder generally pays:
0% for clinical supports
between 5% and 50% for independence services
between 17.5% and 80% for everyday living services.
A self-funded retiree assessed at the maximum contribution threshold generally pays:
0% for clinical supports
50% for independence services
80% for everyday living services.
A person who does not receive a pension may still qualify for lower rates if their assessed income and assets are below the maximum thresholds.
04Guide sectionExample for a full pensioner
Suppose a full pensioner receives:
nursing costing $180
transport costing $100
cleaning costing $120.
The nursing contribution would be $0 because nursing is a clinical support.
The transport contribution would be $5 because transport is an independence service and the full pensioner rate is 5%.
The cleaning contribution would be $21 because cleaning is an everyday living service and the full pensioner rate is 17.5%.
The participant would pay a total of $26.
The remaining service costs would be paid from their Support at Home funding.
05Guide sectionExample for a self-funded retiree
Suppose a self-funded retiree at the maximum contribution threshold receives:
physiotherapy costing $180
transport costing $100
cleaning costing $120.
The physiotherapy contribution would be $0.
The transport contribution would be $50.
The cleaning contribution would be $96.
The participant would pay a total of $146.
The remaining amount would be paid from their government-funded Support at Home budget.
06Guide sectionYou only pay for services received
There is no standard daily fee under Support at Home.
Your contribution depends on:
which services you receive
how much of each service is delivered
the provider’s agreed price
your contribution percentage.
You should not be charged a participant contribution simply because a service appears in your care plan or funding is available.
Cancellation charges may apply only where they are permitted and clearly included in your service agreement.
07Guide sectionWhat happens if I do not provide financial information?
Completing an income and assets assessment is not compulsory.
However, if Services Australia does not have enough financial information and you choose not to provide it, you may be treated as having means not disclosed.
You would then generally pay the maximum rates:
0% for clinical supports
50% for independence services
80% for everyday living services.
Providing your financial information may substantially reduce what you pay.
08Guide sectionHow are couples assessed?
Services Australia considers whether you are:
single
part of a couple living together
part of a couple separated because of illness
a homeowner
a non-homeowner.
Different income and asset thresholds apply to these circumstances.
Each person receiving Support at Home receives their own contribution determination, even where a couple’s combined financial position is considered.
09Guide sectionWhat is deeming?
Services Australia may treat financial assets as earning a set amount of income, regardless of what they actually earn.
This is called deeming.
Financial assets may include:
bank accounts
term deposits
shares
managed investments
some loans and other investments.
The deemed income may be included when Services Australia calculates your contribution rate.
10Guide sectionWhat about the no worse off principle?
Different contribution rules may apply to people protected by the no worse off principle.
This generally applies to people who, on or before 12 September 2024, were:
receiving a Home Care Package
approved for a Home Care Package
waiting on the National Priority System.
Under the no worse off arrangements:
A full pensioner generally pays:
0% for clinical supports
0% for independence services
0% for everyday living services.
A protected part pensioner or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holder may pay:
0% for clinical supports
between 0% and 25% for independence services
between 0% and 25% for everyday living services.
A protected self-funded retiree may pay:
0% for clinical supports
25% for independence services
25% for everyday living services.
A protected participant who did not previously pay an income-tested Home Care Package fee should generally continue paying no Support at Home contributions.
11Guide sectionCan my contribution rate change?
Yes.
Your rate may change because of:
changes in income or assets
changes in pension status
changes in relationship circumstances
changes in homeownership
updated financial information
indexed pension and assessment thresholds
correction of an earlier assessment.
Services Australia will notify you and your provider when your contribution rate changes.
If the change is backdated, the provider may need to refund an overpayment or recover an underpayment.
12Guide sectionIs there a lifetime contribution limit?
Yes.
Relevant Support at Home and residential aged care contributions count toward a lifetime cap.
Different caps apply under the standard contribution arrangements and the no worse off arrangements.
Services Australia keeps track of the total. Once the applicable lifetime cap is reached, you should no longer be required to pay the relevant contributions.
13Worth checkingWhat if I cannot afford my contribution?
Financial hardship assistance may be available.
If approved, the Australian Government may pay some or all of your required contribution during the period of hardship.
You can contact:
Services Australia
My Aged Care on 1800 200 422
your Support at Home provider
OPAN on 1800 700 600.
14Guide sectionWhat should I check?
Ask for:
your Services Australia contribution letter
your independence contribution percentage
your everyday living contribution percentage
confirmation of whether the no worse off principle applies
the provider’s complete price list
statements showing the service price, your contribution and the amount claimed from government funding.
15Guide 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.
16Guide sectionHelpful Local Home Help resources
17Guide 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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