Support at Home Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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The Support at Home Program will begin on 1 November 2025.
It will replace the Home Care Package (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs from this date.
The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) will continue until at least 1 July 2027.
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You may be eligible if:
You are 65 years or older, or 50 years or older if you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person.
You need help with daily activities or health care.
If you meet these criteria, you will need an aged care assessment to determine your eligibility and the services you qualify for.
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The SaHP includes three service categories, each with a defined service list and two additional schemes:
Service Categories
Clinical Care – e.g. Nursing care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy.
Independence – e.g. Personal care including bathing, dressing and grooming, social support and companionship
Everyday Living – e.g. Cleaning, gardening.
Additional Schemes
Assistive Technology - e.g. walking frames, shower chairs, products for food preparation
Home modifications - e.g. grab hand rails, lever door handles, non-slip mat
Services are not automatically granted—participants must be assessed and approved. Eligible services will be documented in your notice of decision and accompanying support plan.
SaHP will not cover general living costs (e.g. air conditioners, white goods). All services must be directly related to age-related decline.
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Key changes from 1 November 2025 will include:
Quarterly budgets – annual funding will be split into four quarters (four equal budgets spanning 3 months. Participants who have not spent their budget within the quarter will be able to rollover a maximum of $1,000 or 10% of their budget (whichever is higher), from one quarter to the next.
Defined service list – Clear guidelines on what is and is not included in the program.
No separate administration fees
Under the Support at Home Program, 10% of your quarterly budget is allocated to care management. This funding is pooled and used by your provider to deliver care management services across all participants. It cannot be used for administrative tasks like rostering, staff training, or submitting claims.
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme – These schemes are funded separately and based on your needs.
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Yes. Current HCP clients will automatically move to SaHP on 1 November 2025, with the same funding and service levels.
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Your aged care assessment will determine your needs, goals, and funding level. Budgets are issued quarterly, and you can carry over up to $1,000 or 10% (whichever is higher) into the next quarter.
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The End-of-Life Pathway is a short-term funding arrangement under the SUpport at Home Program for people with prognosis of three months or less to live. It provides up to $25,000 over a 12 week period to support in-home care services aligned with the participant’s assessed needs and preferences.
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The AT-HM scheme supports older people to live at home and within their community with increased independence, safety, accessibility and wellbeing. Your needs will be assessed to determine the appropriate level of funding and support.
• Mobility aids e.g. walkers, wheelchairs
• Bathroom modifications e.g. handrails, non-slip surfaces
• Assistive devices e.g. personal alarms or voice-controlled systems
Funding is categorised into three tiers, each with a set period for fund usage:
• Low: $500
• Medium: $2,000
• High: $15,000
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The Restorative Care Pathway is a short-term, intensive care option under the Support at Home Program. It provides up to 16 weeks of allied health and/or nursing services to help you regain or maintain function, reduce decline, and delay the need for ongoing or higher-level care. Services are based on your assessed needs and delivered through a multidisciplinary team.
Each episode includes a goal plan, service agreement, and exit plan. Services must be drawn from the Support at Home service list and focus on clinical supports. A maximum of $6,000 in funding is available per episode.
A Support Plan Review can be requested to access additional funding or reassess eligibility for ongoing Support at Home services. Evidence from a health professional is required to support additional funding requests.
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No. HCP clients and those waiting in the National Priority System will not be reassessed. You will receive equivalent SaHP funding based on your current HCP level.
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You will keep these funds under SaHP. They can be used for:
Additional services (if your quarterly budget is fully used).
Assistive technology or home modifications (if approved).
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No. A “no worse off” principle ensures that participants transitioning from the Home Care Packages program will not pay more under Support at Home than they did previously. Contribution rates are based on income and service type.
For further information, refer to page 37 of the Support at Home program handbook. Please call the office if you would like a copy of the handbook.
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The new SaHP limits what can be purchased using your aged care funding.
Funds can’t be used for:
General living costs (e.g. bills, insurance).
Appliances (e.g. TVs, whitegoods).
Items not related to age-related decline.
All purchases must be directly related to age-related decline.
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Your unspent funds may be used to access additional services if a quarterly budget is fully allocated, or for assistive technology and home modifications, if approved.
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Existing HCP clients who pay income-tested care fees will transition into the SaHP with special discounted contribution arrangements.
For more information refer to page 37 of the Support at Home program handbook.
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Level 1 – $2,750 per quarter / $11,000 per year
Level 2 – $4,000 per quarter / $16,000 per year
Level 3 – $5,500 per quarter / $22,000 per year
Level 4 – $7,500 per quarter / $30,000 per year
Level 5 – $10,000 per quarter / $40,000 per year
Level 6 – $12,000 per quarter / $48,000 per year
Level 7 – $14,500 per quarter / $58,000 per year
Level 8 – $19,500 per quarter / $78,000 per year
Subject to change.
See page 12 of the Support at Home Program Handbook for further details. -
Yes. You can save up to $1,000 or 10% (whichever is higher) to use in the next quarter.
Clients assessed as requiring assistive technology and/or home modifications will not need to save up their funds for these services because additional funding will be provided separately through the AT-HM Scheme.
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Your budget stays with you. The previous provider has 60 days to finalise claims. There is no transfer of money between providers.
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The quarterly funding cycle will follow the fiscal quarters:
Quarter 1: July to September
Quarter 2: October to December
Quarter 3: January to March
Quarter 4: April to June
Clients who join during a quarter will receive a pro-rata amount.
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Participant contributions are collected directly by your provider. You will receive a monthly statement showing your contributions and service delivered. Your Care Partner can help you understand your statement and payment options.
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There is no annual cap.
New SAHP clients, will have a lifetime contribution cap of $130,000.
Existing HCP clients who transition to SaHP will have a grandfathered lifetime cap of $82,018.
Once your lifetime cap is reached, across Support at Home and non-clinical care component of a ciient’s contribution to residential care, you do not pay any more individual contributions.
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Services Australia will keep track of contributions and manage the lifetime cap arrangements.
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Not yet! The CHSP program will remain as is until at least 1 July 2027.
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No. Under Support at Home, there are no seperate administration or package management fees. All costs must be included in the unit price of services. A 10% care management allocation is automatically deducted from your budget.
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No price caps until 1 July 2026.
Until then, providers set their own prices. Government will monitor for fairness.
allcare is committed to offering the lowest prices in Illawarra and Shoalhaven.
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Under the Support at Home Program, participants pay contributions based on their income and assets assessment conducted by Services Australia. Contributions apply only to services delivered and vary by service category.
Full Pensioner
Clinical Care: 0%
Independence Services: 5%
Everyday Living: 17.5%
Part Pensioner
Clinical Care: 0%
Independence Services: 5–50% (means tested)
Everyday Living: 17.5–80%
Self-funded (CSC)
Clinical Care: 0%
Independence Services: 5–50% (means tested)
Everyday Living: 17.5–80%
Self-funded (no CSC)
Clinical Care: 0%
Independence Services: 50%
Everyday Living: 80%
CSC = Commonwealth Seniors Card
Note: Participants who do not complete an income and assets assessment will be charged the maximum contribution rate.
Lifetime Cap: There is a lifetime cap on participant contributions. Once reached, the government covers 100% of Support at Home costs.
Hardship Support: Participants experiencing financial hardship can apply for a fee reduction supplement through Services Australia.
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SaHP offers a broad range of services tailored to help you live well at home. Based on your assessment, you may receive:
Clinical care: e.g. Nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, continence support
Independence support: e.g. Help with showering, dressing, taking medications, transport
Everyday living services: e.g. Help with cleaning, gardening, shopping assistance, meal preparation
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Call our office for a printed copy.
Download from the Department of Health website here.
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Visit our website.
Follow our Facebook page.
Contact your Care Partner.
Read allcare Connect.