What does no worse off mean under Support at Home?
No-worse-off protections are intended to prevent eligible existing participants from paying more solely because the system changed.
Key points
- No-worse-off protections are intended to prevent eligible existing participants from paying more solely because the system changed.
- The person's support plan and circumstances determine how the rule applies.
- Current official guidance should be checked before an important decision.
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01Guide sectionWhat does “no worse off” mean under Support at Home?
The no worse off principle protects people who were:
receiving a Home Care Package on 12 September 2024, or
approved for a Home Care Package on or before that date, including people still waiting for funding.
It means the move to Support at Home should not increase the amount they personally contribute toward their care.
02Guide sectionHow it works
If you did not have to pay an income-tested care fee under your Home Care Package, you will not be required to make service contributions under Support at Home.
If you did pay an income-tested care fee, your Support at Home contributions should be the same or lower than what you would have paid under the former system.
03Guide sectionWhat it does not guarantee
“No worse off” is mainly a financial contribution protection. It does not necessarily mean:
every service will cost the same
you will receive exactly the same number of service hours
your provider cannot change its prices
your care arrangements will never change.
Your available services can still be affected by your approved funding, assessed needs, provider prices and the new Support at Home service rules.
People approved after 12 September 2024 are generally covered by the standard Support at Home contribution arrangements rather than the no worse off protection.
04Guide sectionWhat should I do next?
Check the person's Notice of Decision and support plan.
Ask the provider or My Aged Care to explain how the rule applies to this situation.
Keep the advice and any agreed changes in writing.
05Guide sectionHelpful Local Home Help resources
06Guide sectionCheck the official guidance
Check current official Support at Home 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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