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Support at Home — how the new program works

⏱ 7 min read · Last updated April 2026

General information only. Not financial, legal or medical advice. Your situation is unique — consider speaking with an aged care specialist, financial adviser or your GP before making decisions. Information is current as at April 2026 and may change. Always verify with My Aged Care (myagedcare.gov.au) or Services Australia (servicesaustralia.gov.au) for the most current details.

Support at Home is Australia's new home care program, which replaced Home Care Packages from November 2025. If someone you care for was on a Home Care Package — or is waiting for one — this is what has changed and what you need to know now.

Already on a Home Care Package? Existing packages transitioned automatically to Support at Home from November 2025. Your provider should have contacted you about the transition. If they haven't, call them directly, or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.

What Support at Home is

Support at Home is a government-funded program that provides services to help older Australians remain living at home. It replaced the previous Home Care Packages (HCP) program. The key changes from HCPs:

8 funding levels instead of 4
More flexible use of funds across service types
Stronger protections for unspent funds
A clearer pathway from entry-level services to higher support

The 8 funding levels

Indicative annual budgets (2025–26)

Level 1 — ~$11,000/year — low care needs
Level 2 — ~$17,000/year
Level 3 — ~$23,000/year
Level 4 — ~$30,000/year
Level 5 — ~$38,000/year
Level 6 — ~$48,000/year
Level 7 — ~$62,000/year
Level 8 — ~$78,000/year — high care needs

These are government subsidies — your contribution (income-tested fee and basic daily fee) reduces the available budget.

What services can be funded

Support at Home funds a broad range of services including personal care, nursing and allied health, domestic assistance, meal preparation, transport, social connection, assistive technology, and home modifications. Your provider works with you to allocate your budget across your specific needs.

Means testing — how costs work

Support at Home is means tested on income only. The family home is not counted. The basic daily fee (approximately $12.86/day) applies to everyone. An additional income-tested fee may apply, calculated by Services Australia. Call 1800 227 475 for your personal fee calculation.

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Home Care Packages?

Home Care Packages were replaced by Support at Home from November 2025. Existing package holders were transitioned automatically. New applicants go through the Support at Home pathway.

How long is the wait for Support at Home?

Wait times vary significantly by level and location. Level 1–2 approvals can come through in weeks. Higher levels (5–8) can still take 4–12 months in most states. Register with My Aged Care as early as possible — the wait starts from registration.

Can I choose my own provider?

Yes. You can choose any approved Support at Home provider in your area. Shop around — providers have different hourly rates, administration fees, and service offerings. Always ask for a fee schedule before committing.

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