The Australian Government has announced that the current Home Care Package (HCP) program will soon transition to a new initiative, Support at Home. This change brings updated benefits, services, and funding options aimed at enhancing in-home care for older Australians. At Prestige Inhome Care, we’re committed to helping our clients and new applicants stay informed and navigate these upcoming changes with ease.
What is the Support at Home program?
From 1 July 2025, Support at Home will replace the existing government funded in-home aged care. Support at Home will incorporate new funding levels, services and equipment options, to support older clients to remain in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.
Support at Home will bring together all current in-home aged care programs over time, and replace Home Care Packages (HCP), Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC).
Support at Home will:
- Expand support to help an additional 300,000 older people live independently at home by 2034-35;
- Implement new assessment and classification arrangements to ensure the program is more equitable;
- Increase focus on early interventions to help people to stay active and independent;
- Ensure higher levels of care for those with complex needs who require more help to remain at home.
When will Support at Home begin?
Support at Home will begin on 1 July 2025, replacing Home Care Packages and the Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) program.
The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) will be replaced and join the Support at Home program no earlier than 1 July 2027. Those who receive CHSP funding and services will continue with their current program before transitioning to Support at Home at a later date.
This staged approach gives providers time to adjust their business operations to cater to the new program.
Key Benefits of Support at Home
- Higher levels of care for those with complex needs who require more help to remain at home.
- Increased annual funding and higher funding levels (for example the maximum annual funding level is increasing from current level of $61, 440 to $78,000 annually).
- Capped service prices and removal of separate admin fees (eg. program management and case management fees).
- Reduced wait times targeting a 3 months maximum wait by July 2027.
- Better access to preventative support through upfront funding up to $15,000 for the Assistive Technology and Home Modification (AT-HM) Scheme —funds that can be used for items like mobility aids and home adjustments without impacting the care budget.
- Short Term Support to help older people improve or maintain their independence without the need of ongoing services.
- An improved Restorative Care Pathway, providing hospital-to-home transition support for 8–12 weeks.
- Access to a new End-of-Life Pathway that provides up to $25,000 in the final 3 months, supporting people to pass away at home with dignity.
What does this mean for existing Home Care Package recipients?
Current HCP recipients will transition to Support at Home on 1 July 2025. There’s no need for reassessment, as recipients will be automatically transferred with equivalent funding levels. Any unspent funds will also carry over, providing additional flexibility for accessing services or approved assistive technologies.
What does this mean for Home Care Package applicants on a waiting list?
Applicants on the National Priority System waiting list will also transition smoothly. Their position on the waitlist and approved funding level will carry over to Support at Home, with no need for reassessment unless their needs have changed.
Why are Home Care Packages changing?
The changes to Home Care Packages are a result of recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. The goal is to create a fairer, more responsive system that improves wait times and access to care, allowing more people to live independently at home. These changes reflect the needs and feedback of older Australians, care providers, and industry stakeholders.
Prestige Inhome Care will continue to provide more information about the Support at Home program.