Program Basics
What replaced Home Care Packages?
Support at Home replaced the Home Care Packages Program on 1 November 2025.
Aged care questions
Understanding Support at Home
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12 questions
Program Basics
Is Support at Home the same as a Home Care Package?
No. Support at Home serves a similar purpose but uses different classifications, budgets, contribution rules and service arrangements.
Classifications
How many Support at Home funding levels are there?
There are eight ongoing Support at Home classifications, with funding based on assessed needs.
Classifications
How is my Support at Home classification decided?
Your classification is determined by an independent aged care assessment of your functional abilities, health needs, safety risks, goals and available support. It is not decided by your provider, diagnosis or financial circumstances.
Classifications
Can my Support at Home classification change?
Your classification can increase or decrease, but only after the aged care assessment process reviews your current needs. Your provider can support the request, but it cannot change the classification itself.
Transition
What happened to people who already had a Home Care Package?
People already receiving Home Care Packages moved automatically into Support at Home with equivalent ongoing funding. They retained their unspent funds, did not need a fresh assessment solely because of the change, and may be protected by the no worse off contribution rules depending on when they were approved.
Transition
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.
Budgets
Is Support at Home funding paid monthly or quarterly?
Ongoing Support at Home funding is organised into four quarterly budgets, each covering three months.
Budgets
What happens if I do not use all of my quarterly Support at Home budget?
A limited amount of unspent ongoing funding can carry into the next quarter.
Budgets
Can I save my Support at Home funding for a large future expense?
Only a limited amount of ongoing funding can roll over, so Support at Home is not designed for building a large long-term balance.
Care Management
What does care management include under Support at Home?
Care management includes developing and reviewing your care plan and budget, coordinating services, monitoring risks and outcomes, responding to changing needs, providing information and helping you navigate the aged care system. It must include meaningful direct contact at least once each month, even if you self-manage.
Care Management
Why is 10% of my Support at Home budget set aside for care management?
The 10% funds the planning, monitoring and coordination needed to make your direct services work safely. It is pooled so participants can receive more care management when their circumstances become complex, but every participant should still receive meaningful and appropriate support from a care partner.