The Support at Home program launched in November 2025, replacing the old Home Care Package system. If you're confused about what's changed, what it means for your family, and how to access funding — this guide explains everything in plain language. No jargon, no confusion.
The Support at Home program is the Australian Government's primary home care funding program for older Australians. It replaced the old Home Care Package (HCP) system in November 2025 as part of a comprehensive aged care reform following the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
The program provides government funding that allows eligible older Australians to purchase home care services from a registered provider of their choosing. The goal is simple: help people stay at home safely, for as long as they choose, with the support they need to do so.
Support at Home is managed by My Aged Care — the Australian Government's entry point for aged care services. It operates alongside other programs including Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) for entry-level support, and residential aged care for those who can no longer remain at home.
The key change from the old system
The old system had 4 Home Care Package levels. The new Support at Home program has 8 classification levels, with quarterly budgets that are more closely matched to individual need. This means more people receive funding that actually reflects what they require — not just a one-size-fits-four approach.
Your classification is determined by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) following a home visit. It reflects the level of support you need to remain safely at home. Higher classifications provide larger quarterly budgets.
For people who need minimal assistance — a few hours of help per week with daily tasks. Suitable for those who are largely independent but benefit from some support.
Approx. $5,000–$7,000 per year
Regular support several times per week. Typically personal care, domestic assistance, and some allied health services to maintain independence.
Approx. $7,000–$12,000 per year
Daily support needs across personal care, domestic assistance, nursing, and social support. Suitable for people with moderate chronic conditions or early-stage dementia.
Approx. $12,000–$17,000 per year
Multiple daily support services. Nursing involvement, comprehensive personal care, and coordination across several service types. Suitable for moderate to high care needs.
Approx. $17,000–$22,000 per year
Intensive daily support across multiple service types. Complex care coordination, specialist nursing involvement, and comprehensive daily living support.
Approx. $22,000–$28,000 per year
High-level care equivalent to what was previously a Level 3-4 Home Care Package. Multiple daily visits, overnight support possible, complex clinical needs.
Approx. $28,000–$35,000 per year
Around-the-clock or near-constant support. Significant nursing and clinical care. For people with complex conditions who still wish to remain at home.
Approx. $35,000–$45,000 per year
The highest level of home care funding. Continuous or near-continuous care with complex clinical and personal support needs. An alternative to residential care for those who wish to remain home.
Approx. $45,000–$60,000 per year
Budget ranges shown are approximate annual equivalents. Exact quarterly budgets are confirmed by My Aged Care following your assessment and may be adjusted by the government.
Under Support at Home, your funding is allocated in quarterly budgets — four times per year. Each quarter, your provider draws from this budget to fund the care services in your care plan.
Your annual budget is divided into four quarterly amounts. You use your quarterly allocation to purchase the services in your care plan.
Your provider charges a management fee — typically a percentage of your quarterly budget — for care coordination, scheduling, and administration.
Subject to program rules, unspent funds at the end of a quarter may carry over to the next. Your provider will keep you informed of your budget position.
You decide which approved services to use within your budget. Your care plan is built around your priorities — not a standard package.
Support at Home covers a broad range of services. Here's what can typically be funded through your quarterly budget:
Note: Some services may have price caps or require prior approval. Your care coordinator will explain what can be funded from your specific budget.
Separate from your quarterly care budget, the Support at Home program includes a funding pool for Assistive Technology and Home Modifications. This can fund:
An assessment is required to access this funding — typically completed by an occupational therapist. J.PEER Health can help you navigate this process and connect you with the right assessor.
For people approaching end of life, the Support at Home program includes a special pathway providing additional funding of up to $25,000. This is available for people assessed by their medical team as having a prognosis of less than three months.
This additional funding enables intensive support — often including overnight care, nursing, and personal care — so that a person can remain at home surrounded by their family during their final weeks and months. J.PEER Health's carers are experienced in providing compassionate end-of-life support in the home.
This pathway can be accessed regardless of your current Support at Home classification level. Contact us to discuss this pathway if it's relevant to your situation.
Support at Home is substantially funded by the government, but some clients have an income-tested contribution that they contribute toward their care costs. Many clients pay nothing at all.
My Aged Care will assess your financial circumstances after your ACAT assessment and inform you of any contribution required. The assessment is income-tested — meaning clients on Age Pension typically pay little or nothing, while clients with higher incomes may contribute a portion.
Contributions are capped under the Support at Home rules to ensure care remains accessible. Your provider will never charge more than what's outlined in your written fee schedule.
J.PEER Health's promise on fees
We will always provide a full written fee schedule before care begins. You will never receive a surprise bill. See our Pricing & Fees page for more details.
Call 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au. They'll register you in the system and arrange a phone screening to understand your needs.
An Aged Care Assessment Team member visits you at home. They assess your support needs across daily living, health, and social areas, and recommend a classification level.
You receive a letter confirming your classification level, your approved quarterly budget, and any contribution you're required to make.
You choose a registered provider. Take time to find one that matches your language, cultural background, and care needs. You are not required to take the first option offered.
Your provider creates your care plan and care begins. Review your plan regularly — it should evolve as your needs change.
All existing Home Care Package recipients were transitioned to the Support at Home program in November 2025. If you were on a Home Care Package before this date, you should have been contacted by My Aged Care and your provider about the transition.
Your funding level should have been maintained or improved under the transition. Former Level 1 HCP recipients were mapped to the lower Support at Home classifications; former Level 4 recipients were mapped to higher classifications. In most cases, clients received a budget increase.
If you're unsure about your current classification or quarterly budget, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or call J.PEER Health and we'll help you understand your current entitlements.
You have the right to choose your own provider. Take this choice seriously — the right provider will make an enormous difference to the quality and consistency of your care. Here's what to look for:
Can they provide a carer who speaks your language? This is particularly important for clients who are more comfortable in their first language.
Ask for a full written fee schedule before you sign anything. If a provider is vague about fees, that's a warning sign.
Ask whether you'll have the same carers regularly. Inconsistent rosters disrupt care and reduce trust.
Can they respond to after-hours situations? Is there an on-call number? Will you speak to a real person or a call centre?
The Support at Home program replaced the old Home Care Package system in November 2025. The key differences include a new 8-level classification system (replacing the old 4 levels), quarterly budgets instead of monthly allocations, new rules around unspent funds, and a clearer framework for what services can be funded. If you were on a Home Care Package, you were transitioned automatically.
Wait times vary depending on your classification level and the current national queue. The government has committed to reducing wait times under the new system. While waiting, private care is available immediately from J.PEER Health.
Yes. You have the right to choose and change your provider at any time. Your funding follows you, not your provider. Switching takes approximately 2-4 weeks. J.PEER Health handles most of the transition process for you.
Yes. You can request a reassessment through My Aged Care at any time if your needs change significantly. Following reassessment, your classification may be revised upwards, giving you access to a higher quarterly budget.
Yes, through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme. This provides separate funding for items like walking frames, shower chairs, ramps, and handrails. An assessment is required to access this funding.
Some clients have an income-tested contribution. Many clients pay nothing beyond their government allocation. My Aged Care will advise you of any contribution after your assessment. The means test is less complex under Support at Home than under the old Home Care Package system.
Support at Home is available to Australian citizens and permanent residents aged 65 and over (50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people). If you hold a permanent visa and have lived in Australia for at least 10 years, you may also be eligible. Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to confirm eligibility.
If your provider exits the market or closes, My Aged Care will contact you and help you find a new provider. Your Support at Home funding is held by the government, not your provider. You should receive adequate notice and transition support.
We'll help you understand your classification, explain your funding options in plain language, and answer any questions you have about how Support at Home works for your family. No pressure, no obligation — just a real conversation.
Call 0469 371 121Also read: Pricing & Fees · FAQs · How to Switch Providers
No obligation. We will call you for a friendly chat.
