As the new Support at Home program prepares to launch in November 2025, many older Australians and their families are asking the same question:
“How will these changes affect what we pay for home care?”
The short answer: costs will depend on your financial situation — but the government aims to make the system simpler, fairer, and more transparent than ever before.
This guide unpacks how the funding and contribution structure works, what factors shape your out-of-pocket costs, and how to prepare financially so you can keep living independently with confidence.
A New Approach to Paying for Care
Under the current Home Care Package model, many families struggle to predict ongoing fees and contributions.
The Support at Home program changes this by:
- Separating clinical and non-clinical care costs,
- Introducing a clear lifetime cap, and
- Ensuring transparency across all providers.
The aim is to make aged care funding fair — so that older people with greater needs or limited income are supported, while those with higher resources contribute proportionally more.
What the Government Pays — and What You Contribute
Think of Support at Home as a shared partnership between you and the Australian Government.
Your contribution depends on the kind of support you receive:
|
Type of Support |
Examples |
Who Pays |
|
Clinical Care |
Nursing, allied health, wound care |
Fully funded by Government |
|
Independence Supports |
Personal care, transport, medication management |
Shared — you contribute a small portion |
|
Everyday Living Supports |
Cleaning, meals, gardening, companionship |
Shared — you contribute a larger portion |
The more essential the service (such as medical care), the less you pay.
Lifestyle-related services usually involve a higher contribution.
The Role of Income and Assets
Your pension status and financial position determine your contribution rate.
This assessment looks at:
- Income (pensions, superannuation, business earnings)
- Assets (savings, property, investments)
- Eligibility for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC)
This ensures that:
- Full pensioners pay only minimal fees,
- Part pensioners contribute based on means testing, and
- Self-funded retirees pay higher rates — unless they hold a CSHC, which offers discounted rates.
The Lifetime Contribution Cap: Protecting Older Australians
One of the most important reforms is the lifetime cap of $130,000.
This means no individual will ever pay more than $130,000 for non-clinical home or residential care over their lifetime.
This cap helps families plan ahead, ensuring care remains sustainable without unexpected long-term costs.
Understanding “Out-of-Pocket” Payments
Your personal contribution — sometimes called the “out-of-pocket” cost — is what you pay directly to your care provider.
The exact amount will vary depending on your income, assets, and the type of service.
Here’s a simplified view of how it typically works:
|
Scenario |
You Pay (Estimated) |
Government Covers |
|
Light house cleaning (2 hrs at $50/hr) |
$17.50 (Full pensioner rate 17.5%) |
$82.50 |
|
Weekly meal delivery ($100/week) |
$80 (Self-funded retiree rate 80%) |
$20 |
|
Physiotherapy session ($120) |
$0 (Clinical service) |
$120 |
This transparency helps you and your family budget with certainty.
Beyond Numbers: What Fees Mean for Care Choices
Understanding fees isn’t just about dollars and cents — it’s about planning your quality of life.
The Support at Home model gives older Australians more choice and flexibility, allowing you to:
- Mix and match the services you truly need,
- Adjust care hours as your health changes, and
- Stay in control of your spending through clear monthly statements.
Families can also review whether additional support — such as social visits or domestic help — is worth the small extra cost if it improves wellbeing and independence.
Transitioning from the Current System
If you’re already on a Home Care Package, the government’s “No Worse Off” guarantee means your out-of-pocket fees won’t increase when you transition to Support at Home.
What will change:
- Your provider will offer a new agreement with updated rates and services.
- You’ll be able to see exactly how your funding is allocated — making comparisons between providers easier.
You are never required to sign until you’re comfortable and fully understand the pricing.
How Provider Pricing Will Change
In the first stage of the rollout (from November 2025 to June 2026), aged care providers can still set their own prices, similar to the current Home Care Package system.
They must:
- Publish prices on their websites
- List them in the My Aged Care Find a Provider directory
From 1 July 2026, government price caps will apply — ensuring all seniors receive fair, consistent rates regardless of where they live.
This shift means families can make more informed decisions and avoid overpaying for comparable services.
Tips for Managing Support at Home Costs
💡 Plan Early
Organise your financial documents (income statements, pension details, property information) before your assessment. This prevents delays in funding approval.
🧾 Review Your Care Plan Regularly
Your care needs and budget may change over time. Make sure your plan reflects what’s most important to you — not just what’s on offer.
🧑💼 Seek Independent Advice
A care finding specialist can help you understand funding categories and compare provider fees in your region.
🧘 Focus on Value, Not Volume
Sometimes, fewer but higher-quality services can lead to better outcomes — and reduce unnecessary spending.
Example: How It Works in Real Life
Margaret, 79, receives home support in Melbourne.
She’s a part pensioner and needs weekly personal care, meal deliveries, and light gardening.
Her assessed contribution rates are 25% for independence supports and 40% for daily living services.
|
Service |
Weekly Cost |
Margaret Pays |
Government Pays |
|
Personal care (2 hrs @ $50/hr) |
$100 |
$25 |
$75 |
|
Meal delivery (5 meals) |
$100 |
$40 |
$60 |
|
Gardening (1 hr) |
$60 |
$24 |
$36 |
|
Total per week |
$260 |
$89 |
$171 |
Margaret now pays less than before, receives clear statements each month, and feels confident knowing her fees won’t suddenly increase.
Preparing for November 2025 and Beyond
The Support at Home rollout is a major reform — and like any transition, preparation makes all the difference.
Families are encouraged to:
- Check their eligibility via My Aged Care
- Complete an assessment early to avoid delays
- Talk to a care finding service for help comparing providers and understanding costs
Early planning ensures you can start the new program with a clear understanding of what you’ll pay — and what support you’ll receive.
Final Thoughts: Simplifying the Path to Quality Care
The Support at Home model is not just about reshaping fees — it’s about reshaping trust in the aged care system.
By introducing transparent costs, flexible service choices, and lifetime caps, it empowers older Australians to age confidently and independently.
Whether you’re preparing for your own care or helping a loved one, understanding how contributions work is the first step to peace of mind.
How SSCA Can Help
At Support Services Connect Australia (SSCA), we know that navigating aged care funding and finding reliable providers can feel overwhelming.
With over 25 years of experience in home and residential care, our team offers free, no-obligation care finding assistance for older Australians and their families.
Our specialists can help you:
- Understand how Support at Home contributions affect your care options,
- Compare and shortlist trustworthy providers in Melbourne, and
- Simplify onboarding with our Engagement and Onboarding partnerships that ensure smooth transitions.
Let SSCA take the confusion out of aged care — so you can focus on living well at home.