Most Australians want to stay in their own home as long as possible, and for many the choice is not "home or residential care" but "how much support at home before residential care becomes necessary." From 1 November 2025, the way that support is funded changed significantly: the Support at Home program replaced Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care. Understanding the new model helps you get the right level of help and budget for your share of it.
What Support at Home is
Support at Home is the government-subsidised program that funds services to help older people live independently at home — personal care, nursing, allied health (physio, occupational therapy), domestic help, home modifications and equipment, and respite. It is accessed through My Aged Care, starting with registration and an assessment that determines eligibility and the level of support.
How it differs from the old Home Care Packages
The reform brought several practical changes families notice:
- More classification levels than the old four package levels, allowing support to be matched more closely to assessed need — and to be increased more responsively as needs change.
- Contributions based on service type. Instead of one blended fee, your contribution now depends on the kind of service. Clinical care (nursing, allied health) is fully government-funded; independence-related services (personal care, respite) attract a moderate contribution; and everyday living services (cleaning, gardening, meals) attract a higher contribution. The logic is that clinical care should never be rationed by cost, while help you would otherwise pay for yourself carries a larger personal share.
- Your contribution rate depends on your means — full pensioners contribute least; self-funded retirees contribute more — assessed through the same means-testing machinery as residential care.
- Short-term pathways for restorative care and end-of-life support are built in, replacing the separate Short-Term Restorative Care program.
What you actually pay
The government sets the subsidy for your assessed level; you pay a contribution on top, calculated by service type and your means. Because clinical care is fully funded, a person whose needs are mostly nursing and allied health may pay very little, while someone using mainly domestic and lifestyle services pays a larger share. Ask your provider for a clear schedule showing, service by service, what the government pays and what you pay — the new model makes this transparency possible, so insist on it.
Moving up levels as needs grow
A key improvement is responsiveness: if needs increase, you can be reassessed and moved to a higher classification rather than being stuck under-supported on a waitlist for a bigger package. If you notice the current level is no longer enough — more falls, more help needed, carer strain — contact My Aged Care for reassessment promptly. Getting the level right is what keeps someone safely at home and delays the move to residential care.
When Support at Home is no longer enough
Home support has a ceiling. When care needs become continuous and unpredictable — around-the-clock supervision, advanced dementia, complex medical needs — residential aged care becomes the safer setting. The same My Aged Care assessment pathway leads there, and the means assessment then shapes your residential fees. Planning that transition before a crisis — knowing which homes you would choose — makes it far less traumatic.
Short on time? Curalune Care Help (A$149, one-off) reads your situation and emails you an ordered shortlist of 3–5 suitable aged care homes — with contacts, why each one fits and a ready-to-send message — usually within 24 hours.
If home support is reaching its limit and residential care is on the horizon, it is worth having a shortlist ready before the need becomes urgent.
Not sure where to start with the paperwork? Curalune Paperwork Help (A$199, one-off) maps the exact documents to gather, the right order of steps and ready-to-send messages for your case — delivered within 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
What replaced Home Care Packages in Australia?
From 1 November 2025 the Support at Home program replaced Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care. It funds services to help older people stay at home, with more classification levels and contributions calculated by service type through My Aged Care.
How much do I pay for Support at Home?
It depends on the service type and your means. Clinical care such as nursing and allied health is fully government-funded; independence services attract a moderate contribution; and everyday living services such as cleaning and gardening attract a higher contribution. Full pensioners contribute least; self-funded retirees contribute more.
Can I increase my level of support if needs grow?
Yes. The new program is designed to be more responsive — contact My Aged Care for a reassessment if needs increase, and you can be moved to a higher classification rather than remaining under-supported. Do this promptly when you notice more falls, more help needed, or carer strain.
When should we move from home care to residential aged care?
When care needs become continuous and unpredictable — around-the-clock supervision, advanced dementia or complex medical needs — home support reaches its ceiling and residential care is safer. The same My Aged Care assessment leads there, and a means assessment then sets your residential fees.