What you need to know about Support at Home

From 1 July, 2025, the Home Care Packages program and Short Term Restorative Care program will be replaced by the government’s new Support at Home program.

Support at Home has the same aim - to support older people to live in their own homes for as long as possible, but the way those supports are arranged and funded will change.

The government is making these changes in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

According to the government, Support at Home will improve access to services, equipment and home modifications to help older people remain healthy, active and socially connected to their community.

It will include a new Restorative Care Pathway, with the main improvement being that clients will receive restorative care services for a longer period of time.

The government is also changing how it funds your care and when you are expected to contribute to costs.

Under the new system the full cost of clinical care, such as nursing and physiotherapy, will be covered by the government.

However, clients will pay more towards ‘services for independence’, including personal care and equipment.

Clients will make the highest contributions for ‘everyday living services’ such as gardening and cleaning.

The income and asset tests will still be used, so you will only be asked to contribute to costs when you can afford it.

Southern Cross Care is currently working through what these changes mean for our fees and how we can continue to provide services that support our clients to be Better for life. 

Our pricing will be changing to ensure clients incur costs when they directly receive a service and less through regular administration fees.

Please bear with us and be patient and respectful towards our staff while we work through these unprecedented changes together.

For more information on Support at Home you can visit the government’s website here. 

For any questions specific to services provided by Southern Cross Care you can contact us on 1800 852 772. 

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme will transition to Support at Home from 1 July, 2027.