Support to be Better for life
On 1 November, 2025, the Australian Government's new Support at Home Program will commence. Support at Home is designed to help older Australians live independently in their own home. We are here to guide you through the changes, and help you access the services you need to stay healthy, active and independent.
Whether you are already receiving care or just getting started, we can help you to be Better for life at home.
What is Support at Home?
Support at Home will provide Australian Government funding for eligible older people from 1 November 2025. People who need support to live independently at home are assessed and then approved for services including clinical care, independence supports and everyday living supports.
Support at Home replaces the Home Care Packages program and Short Term Restorative Care programme. In 2027, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme will also become part of Support at Home.
What services are available under Support at Home?
The services available under Support at Home are similar to what was previously available under the Home Care Packages and Short Term Restorative Care programs.
Nursing services
Our nursing services are delivered in the comfort of your own home, 7 days a week. Our professional, qualified and police-checked nurses can tailor services to meet your individual needs, including:
Medication administration and management
Wound care
Home hospital services
Chronic disease management, referrals and case conferencing
Allied health services
We offer a range of allied health services at home and in our Health & Fitness Centres to keep you healthy, active and independent, including:
- Physiotherapy
- Exercise Physiology
- Occupational Therapy
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Podiatry
What will I pay for Support at Home services?
The Australian Government has set a new scale of contributions clients pay towards services under Support at Home. Your contribution will be a percentage of the price of the relevant service.
Some clients who were already receiving a Home Care Package before 12 September 2024 will not be required to pay any contributions, while others will pay a reduced contribution rate, because they have the benefit of the government’s ‘no worse off principle’ in relation to contributions by existing care recipients. New care recipients may be required to pay more towards services.
How costs are shared
The Government covers a different percentage depending on the category of service:
Funding classifications explained
Support at Home has 8 funding levels or classifications (instead of the 4 levels in the old Home Care Package system). The classification sets the amount of funding available for your services.
There are also short-term care options, including:
12 week support through the Restorative Care or End-of-Life Pathways
Assistive technology and home modifications funding, split into three levels: low, medium and high.
Who is eligible?
To access funding under Support at Home, you need to:
Be aged 65+ (or 50+ for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people)
Complete an aged care assessment through My Aged Care
Not sure where to start? We’re here to help.
📞 Call Southern Cross Care on 1800 852 772
Our friendly team will guide you through every step.
Get started in 3 steps
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Register with My Aged Care
Start by registering for government-funded support and completing an assessment through My Aged Care.
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Find a provider
Choose a Support at Home service provider, considering your individual needs and the supports you have been assessed for.
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Get Started
Start receiving services and work with your chosen provider to adjust and tailor your services as your needs change.
FAQS
View all FAQ'SYou can apply for any type of Government subsidised home care in the same way, by asking for a Government assessment through My Aged Care. You can call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
Support at Home, which replaces the Home Care Package program, includes funding for services to help older people continue to live independently in their own homes. These services include:
- Nursing
- Allied health, such as physiotherapy, exercise physiology, occupational therapy, podiatry, speech pathology and social work
- Personal care
- Social support
- Respite
- Transport
- Restorative care
- Assistive technology and home modifications
Everyday cost of living expenses are generally not covered, such as groceries, electricity bills, rent or mortgage payments.
Care Management includes activities related to care planning, services management, monitoring, review and evaluation. Our Care Management services are nurse-led which means a clinical professional is always involved in your care.
Care Management may be delivered directly (eg. someone having a conversation with you) or indirectly (eg. staff completing an activity on your behalf). Under the Support at Home funding model, a portion of the overall funding received by providers is allocated to cover the costs of delivering essential Care Management services. It is important to note that Care Management does not include circumstances where you may need a clinical assessment by a health professional (i.e. wound assessment). This is charged according to the hourly rate of the specific health professional involved in your care.
In-home care may support you to live in your own home for longer, where you are most comfortable. The cost of in-home care is also different to the cost of living in an aged care home because you are not paying for your accommodation. Southern Cross Care’s in-home care services focus on a healthy ageing approach and supporting clients to have a good quality of life as well, so you can be Better for life at home.
If you already receive Government funding for Home Care services with Southern Cross Care but believe your needs have changed, you can contact our team for assistance with reassessment. Alternatively, speak to your Care Manager or Care Coordinator for assistance.
The main difference in pricing between the Home Care Packages program and the Support at Home program is how administrative costs are handled. Under the Home Care Packages program, administrative costs (e.g. Package Management) are charged separately from the direct service costs. Under the Support at Home program, service prices are inclusive of all costs associated with delivering that service including administrative costs (e.g. scheduling and rostering, record keeping, staff education, staff travel time and mileage costs, program compliance). This means you will see a single, transparent, all-inclusive price for each service.
Surplus funds will be rolled over as part of the transition to Support at Home until they are exhausted. You will continue to be able to access these funds if your current service needs are beyond your transitioned budget. If you need Assistive Technology (e.g. walking or hearing aids) or Home Modifications you will be using these surplus funds prior to being approved additional funds.
There is currently no time limit on the use of unspent funds transferred over from the Home Care Packages program to Support at Home and you will not lose these funds if you have a reassessment either. Once Support at Home has commenced you will have a quarterly budget. Unspent funds from this budget of up to $1,000 or 10% (whichever is higher) will be rolled over to the next quarter.
We can support you in the process of seeking a Government reassessment if needed, for example if your current funding no longer covers the services you need or your needs have changed or increased. Speak to your Manager or Coordinator for support.
