Which Support at Home services are free?
Nursing, approved allied health and other clinical supports have no participant contribution. Care management is also contribution free. Personal care will become contribution-free from 1 October 2026. These services may still use your available government-funded budget, so “free” means no out-of-pocket contribution not unlimited care at no cost to your funding.
Key points
- Clinical support services are fully government funded, and approved personal care will also be fully funded from 1 October 2026.
- 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 services classified as clinical supports have no participant contribution.
The Australian Government pays the full agreed price of these services from your available Support at Home funding. Your income, assets and pension status do not change the 0% contribution rate for clinical supports.
Explore only what you need
Start with the sections that feel useful now. You can come back to the others later.
01Guide sectionWhich services are clinical supports?
Depending on your assessment and approved support plan, contribution-free clinical supports may include:
nursing care
physiotherapy
occupational therapy
podiatry
dietetics and nutrition support
speech pathology
exercise physiology
psychology or counselling delivered within the approved service list
continence assessment and clinical support
other approved allied health and therapeutic services
care management.
The exact classification depends on the service being delivered not simply the worker’s job title.
For example, an occupational therapist completing an approved clinical assessment may be a clinical support. However, equipment subsequently purchased through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications Scheme is generally treated under the independence contribution rules.
02Practical actionDoes “free” mean the service does not use my budget?
Usually, no.
A 0% participant contribution means you do not pay out of pocket, but the provider still charges the service against your available government funded budget.
For example, if an approved physiotherapy visit costs $180:
you pay $0
$180 is claimed from your available Support at Home funding.
You therefore still need enough funding in your budget and approval for the relevant service.
03Guide sectionIs care management free?
You do not pay a separate participant contribution for care management because it is classified as a clinical support.
For people receiving ongoing Support at Home services, however, 10% of the quarterly classification budget is automatically allocated to the provider’s pooled care-management account. It is therefore contribution free, but it still forms part of the government funding attached to your classification.
04Guide sectionIs personal care free?
Not yet for most participants.
Until 30 September 2026, personal care remains in the independence category, so a participant contribution may apply.
From 1 October 2026, approved personal care will move into the clinical supports contribution category. Participants will then pay no contribution for services such as:
showering
dressing
toileting and continence support
personal hygiene
assistance with eating
assistance with self-administration of medication.
The person must still be approved for personal care and have available Support at Home funding. The service will be free from an out-of-pocket perspective, but its cost will still be claimed from the participant’s budget.
05Guide sectionWhich services are not generally free?
Participant contributions usually apply to independence services, including:
personal care until 1 October 2026
transport
social support
respite
medication assistance that is not a clinical service
assistive technology
home modifications.
Contributions also apply to everyday living services, including:
cleaning and domestic assistance
gardening
home maintenance and repairs
meal preparation
meal delivery.
The amount depends on the service category and the participant’s financial assessment.
06Guide sectionCan some people receive all their services without contributions?
Yes.
The no worse off principle may protect people who were receiving, or approved for, a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024.
Where a protected participant was assessed as paying no income-tested care fee under their Home Care Package, they should not be asked to pay participant contributions under Support at Home even for independence or everyday living services.
A protected participant who previously paid an income-tested care fee should pay the same amount or less under Support at Home.
07Worth checkingWhat if I cannot afford my contributions?
Financial hardship assistance may cover some or all of the required contribution where a person cannot pay for reasons beyond their control.
Speak with:
your provider
Services Australia
My Aged Care on 1800 200 422
OPAN on 1800 700 600 for independent advocacy.
Do not assume you must cancel essential care before asking about hardship assistance.
08Guide sectionWhat should I check on my statement?
Check that:
clinical supports show a 0% participant contribution
you were approved for the service
the service price matches your agreement
only services actually delivered have been claimed
personal care contributions stop for services delivered from 1 October 2026
any no worse off protection has been correctly applied
the provider distinguishes your contribution from the amount claimed from government funding.
09Guide 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.
10Guide sectionHelpful Local Home Help resources
11Guide 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.
Want to apply this answer to your situation?
Liz already knows which guidance page you are reading, so you can ask a follow-up without starting the topic again.