Introduction
What is changing in home care?
From 1 November 2025, the Australian Government is introducing changes to home care. This change is part of the Aged Care Act 2024, the new law for government funded aged care in Australia. The new Act responds to issues facing older people, aged care providers, workers and the broader sector. It also draws on advice from the Aged Care Taskforce to build a sustainable funding model for the future.
The new Aged Care Act sets out what older people can expect when receiving government funded home care, including their rights and how these will be protected. It will also introduce a new program called Support at Home. This will replace your current Home Care Package.
What does this mean for you?
You will move to the Support at Home program on 1 November 2025. Most importantly, your care will continue, and we’ll help guide you through each step of the change.
• Your care and services will continue
• You will receive the same overall level of home care funding
• There will be some changes to service costs and fees under Support at Home
• You will only pay for the services you receive rather than a daily fee
Moving to Support at Home
The government has set different arrangements depending on whether you were approved for a Home Care Package before or after 12 September 2024. This date marks when the new aged care law was introduced to Parliament. These differences mainly relate to how much you will contribute towards your care and services. This booklet explains the rules that apply specifically to people like you who were approved for a Home Care Package after 12 September 2024
About this guide
This guide explains some of the most important aspects of the upcoming changes and what to expect. The booklet has been designed to help you with:
• Understanding what Support at Home is
• Knowing how your funding and fees will work
• Learning what to expect during the transition
• Finding out who to contact if you have questions
A new Service List
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has announced some specific changes to the way care and services will be categorised under Support at Home. These will be separated into three distinct service categories, shown below.
Support at Home service categories and service types
Service Category Service Type
1
2
Clinical Supports: Specialised services to maintain or regain functional and/or cognitive capabilities
Independence: Support to manage activities of daily living and loss of skills or function to live independently
3
Everyday Living: Support to keep your home in a liveable state and support your independence at home
Nursing, most allied health, nutrition, care management and restorative care management
Personal care, social support & community engagement, therapeutic services, respite, transport, assistive technology, home modifications
Domestic assistance, shopping assistance, home maintenance (including light gardening) & home repairs, and meals (preparation and/or delivery)
Some of the flexibility and ‘grey areas’ of Home Care Packages will be more defined regarding what services and supports are included or excluded under Support at Home.
What this means for you
Your Care Manager will review your care needs and care plan and align your services to these new service categories.
You will not need a new care plan to transition to Support at Home, but the services you receive will need to align with the new service categories. The service names you see on your statement, your care plan or your schedule will also change to the new Support at Home service names.
New classifications and budgets for Support at Home
Support at Home will have 8 new classifications for ongoing services and 4 classifications for people transitioning from the Home Care Packages Program. Each classification will have a specific budget to spend on approved services. A person’s classification and budget will be determined at assessment based on their needs.
Current clients will remain on the same Home Care Package funding level they have now when they move to the Support at Home program on 1 November 2025, as shown in the table below.
Support at Home (SaH) ongoing classifications and funding amounts
If you are waiting for a higher-level package, you will not loose your place in the queue. When you reach the top of the National Priority System (wait list), you will be assigned the HCP Level you are waiting on, even if this occurs after 1 November 2025. There are also three new types of funding available in addition to the new classifications. These are called Short Term pathways. More information about these new funding streams is further down in this guide.
What happens if my care needs change?
If your care needs increase or your circumstances change, you will need a formal reassessment for additional funding for care and services. The Single Assessment Service (SAS), previously known as the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), will conduct a new assessment of your care needs and may approve you for a new Support at Home classification level.
Quarterly budgets replace daily subsidies
What are the changes?
All clients will be automatically moved to the new Support at Home program on 1 November 2025 at the same funding level as their current Home Care Package. This means there will be no change to your current available package funding allocation, unless you are reassessed and approved for a higher budget classification in the future.
However, instead of the government subsidy being calculated on a daily basis, the new Support at Home budget is calculated on a quarterly basis.
There are new limits on how much of your unused quarterly budget can be moved to the next quarter. The amount of funds you can roll over each quarter is capped at $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget, whichever is the higher amount.
You will retain access to all of your unspent Home Care Package funds to use on approved care and services if you have used all your quarterly budget. You can also use your unspent Home Care Package funds to purchase approved equipment and home modifications.
Fees and contributions
From 1 November 2025, home care fees will change. This includes how much you and the government contribute and how these amounts are calculated. All new clients accessing home care services will have to pay a contribution towards some of the care and services they receive.
Will I be affected by the changes to client contributions?
The government’s new Support at Home client contributions framework will apply to you from 1 November 2025.
Under the new Support at Home program, you will contribute to the cost of services in the Independence and Everyday Living categories, even if you are a full Age Pensioner or do not currently pay for your care. There are no contributions to the cost for services in the Clinical Supports category.
The term ‘no worse off’ is something the government is using to define a client’s individual cocontribution (fees) towards the cost of their care if they were assessed as eligible for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024. They will not pay more for their care than they currently do.
You were assessed as eligible for a Home Care Package after 12 September 2024, so unfortunately, the ‘no worse off’ principle under the new program does not apply to you. Your contributions may or may not be more than you have been paying. It will depend on the types and quantities of the services you receive.
Clients who pay an Income-Tested Fee (ITF)
If you are currently paying an Income Tested Care Fee (ITF), you will continue to pay a contribution towards your home care. However, from 1 November 2025 the ITF will be replaced by a new fee structure designed to be fairer and more transparent.
Under the new system, you will only pay for the services you use. This is different to the current ITF, which is charged as a daily fee regardless of the care and services you use. The amount you pay will depend on your co-contribution rate, and the type and number of services you receive. This means some clients may pay more than they do now, while others may pay less.
How much will I have to contribute?
The table below shows the tiered contributions that you will be required to make from 1 November 2025.
The amount is dependent on your income (Pension/ Commonwealth Seniors Card status), and the type of services you receive.
Your Care Manager will provide you with more specific information on what you may be required to pay for the services you currently receive.
Specific contributions are based on services received across each of the three new service categories of Clinical Supports, Independence and Everyday Living, as shown in the table below.
Co-Contribution rates for Support at Home Service Categories
Self-funded retiree (holding or eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card)
Self-funded retiree (not eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card)
From 1 November, for full pensioners and part pensioners, your Support at Home contributions will be determined by your existing Age Pension income and assets assessment. This is a change from the income test currently used for home care. Non pensioners will need to provide information about their income and assets to Services Australia to have their Support at Home contribution rate assessed. Anyone who doesn’t provide this information to Services Australia will pay at the highest rates.
An online fee estimator, found on the My Aged Care website, allows you to see what you may have to contribute towards each service under Support at Home. It asks questions such as whether you were approved for services before or after September 12, 2024, what your age pension status is, and your income and assets.
The page can be found by visiting myagedcare.com.au, searching for “Upcoming changes to aged care funding: how they affect you” and scrolling down to the fee estimator.
Additional top up contribution
An additional top-up contribution can be paid if your care and services are not fully covered by the government subsidy. This is different from your usual client contribution or an income tested fee.
Can I opt-out or avoid paying co-contributions from 1 November 2025?
No. The government has said the new contribution rules will apply to people assessed and approved for a Home Care Package after 12 September 2024 and they apply automatically from 1 November 2025. Providers cannot waive or reduce the fee even if you have not previously paid a contribution.
Clients can apply to Services Australia for a fee reduction supplement if they are significantly impacted financially. Your Care Manager will be able to provide more information about how to apply.
What is happening to Care Management and Package Management fees?
Care Management charges will change from 1 November 2025
Under Support at Home, there are some changes to the way providers charge for care management services.
From 1 November 2025, all Support at Home clients will automatically contribute 10% of their quarterly budget to their provider’s pooled Care Management fund, held by Services Australia. This will replace the current monthly Care Management fees. Care Management Activities include:
• Care planning
• Service coordination
• Monitoring, review and evaluation
• Support and education
The need for care management support will vary for each client, but all care management services will be funded from the care management pool. You will not be charged any additional care management fees regardless of how much care management you need.
Package Management charges will end on 31 October 2025
Under the current Home Care Packages program, service providers charge a Package Management fee. This fee is intended to cover the administrative costs associated with managing a person’s package. These essential “back-office” services may not be immediately visible to consumers, but they are crucial for ensuring that services are coordinated and compliant, invoices are paid, monthly statements are generated, and provider obligations are met. The administrative costs associated with your Home Care Package will be incorporated into the hourly service rate.
You will no longer be charged Package Management fees.
Hourly service rates from 1 November 2025
Our hourly service rates will increase from 1 November 2025, as the administrative costs associated with your Home Care Package will now be included in the hourly service rates. The new hourly rates will also include service kilometres, and your package will no longer be charged for those separately. The hourly service rate also includes a component of the former care management fee, which has been used to support our ongoing commitment to providing high quality, holistic care.
Charges when you purchase goods and equipment or use an external agency staff
To cover the costs associated with sourcing care, services and equipment from external suppliers, providers can apply a 10% loading to the cost of those services or equipment. This fee will be added to the invoice cost of all purchases and will also apply to any external agency services you request.
Some of our clients who have a high level of services may be impacted if the changes to the hourly rate are not offset by the reduced care management fee and the removal of the package management fee. Your Care Manager will discuss the new hourly rates with you and work with you to minimise any impact.
Home Care Packages –unspent funds
What happens to existing unspent Home Care Package funds?
All clients will retain their unspent Home Care Package funds amount (as of 31 October 2025) to use for approved care, services, equipment and home modifications if needed. You will not lose your unspent funds in the transition to Support at Home.
What can I use my unspent funds for?
The Support at Home Service List contains a comprehensive list of approved care and services that can be provided to clients.
All clients have access to their unspent Home Care Package funds for approved care and services that address their ageing-related care needs. The care and services must align with the new Support at Home services list, and you can only access your unspent Home Care Package funds for care and services if your new Support at Home quarterly budget is exhausted. If you are using your fund to purchase approved equipment or home modifications, you must use any unspent Home Care Package funds before you can apply for Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) funding under Support at Home. More information about AT-HM is further down in this guide.
You do not have to pay a client contribution for any care, services or equipment purchased using unspent Home Care Package funds.
Once your unspent Home Care Package funds have been exhausted, your care and services must align with your ongoing Support at Home quarterly budget.
Unspent Quarterly Support at Home Budget
From 1 November 2025, if there are unspent funds from your quarterly budget at the end of each quarter, the funds will automatically carry over (in your home support account) to the next quarterly budget period to address unplanned or changing needs. However, you can only accumulate a maximum of $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget at any one time. You are not allowed to exceed this limit across or between quarters.
Taking leave or temporarily stopping service
From 1 November 2025, you will no longer need to put your funding on hold, but you still need to advise your Care Manager so your services can be suspended. This is important so you are not charged for cancelled services unnecessarily.
Even though your funding will continue to accrue while you temporarily stop services, there is a limit on the amount of unspent funds you can carry over to the following quarter. This is $1000 or 10%, whichever is greater.
It is important to note that a client’s funding will be reduced to zero and reallocated when a total of four consecutive quarters (one year) and 60 days have passed since the end of the quarter from when the last service was delivered to you.
Additional short term support available
Restorative Care Pathway
Eligible clients will have access to the Restorative Care Pathway, which focuses on allied health and/or nursing intervention to build client strengths and capabilities. An extra budget of around $6,000 (or up to $12,000 if required) will be available for up to 16 weeks.
End of Life Pathway
The new End of Life Pathway will give clients with 3 months or less to live, access to a higher level of in-home aged care services. Clients can be referred as high priority for assessment to access this pathway. The End of Life pathway can provide funding of up to $25,000 over 12 weeks, with 16 weeks to use the funds. This funding replaces the quarterly budget for the 12week duration.
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM)
From 1 November 2025, the government is introducing additional Support at Home funding classifications for Assistive Technology and Home Modifications. These changes affect the way you access approved equipment purchases and home modifications.
You will be able to access these classifications in addition to your quarterly budget, so there will be no need to save from the quarterly budget to fund these items
If you have unspent Home Care Package funds as at 31 October 2025, you must use those funds for equipment and home modifications before you can apply for the AT-HM funding. There is no client contribution for items purchased using unspent Home Care Package funds.
Each of the new AT-HM funding classifications has a lifetime cap of $15,000 per participant (you can access $15,000 for use on equipment and a further $15,000 for home modifications). Additional amounts may be available for Assistive Technology with the appropriate professional recommendation in certain circumstances. You will be required to fund all AT-HM costs once you reach the lifetime cap.
Supplements
Dementia and Cognition Supplement – to care for someone living with dementia
The dementia and cognition supplement will continue to be available for grandfathered/ transitioning Home Care Package clients receiving the supplement on 31 October 2025. It will automatically be included in their Support at Home quarterly budget.
Oxygen and Enteral Feeding Supplements
Clients receiving either or both supplements on 31 October 2025, will have the supplement/s automatically included in their new Support at Home quarterly budget.
Transition arrangements
Your Home Care Package will automatically move to the Support at Home program on 1 November 2025. You do not need to do anything except work with your Care Manager to complete any steps needed along the way.
As we get closer to November, we will complete a new Service Agreement with you. We are waiting for final advice from the Government before we can do this. Your new Service Agreement will include BaptistCare’s Support at Home Price List and will outline any fees you may need to pay.
We will stay in regular contact with you between now and November, and we will continue to provide updates and support after the transition
Statement of Rights
The Statement of Rights, included in the new Aged Care Act, sets out your rights when receiving funded aged care services. It replaces the Aged Care Charter of Rights and must be adhered to by service providers, workers and registered supporters.
The 13 rights include the right to make choices (including where risk is involved), be supported to make decisions, stay connected to your community and the people who matter to you, and receive safe and quality services.
You can access the full Statement of Rights in Appendix A
Registered Supporters
Under the new Act, you will be able to nominate and register one or more people of your choice to assist you in decision-making, if you want or need support. Supporters will be able to request, access or receive information. You can register supporters to help you understand information and communicate your wishes, if you want them to. To get ready, you can review your existing representatives in My Aged Care and decide if you want them to continue as your registered supporter from 1 November 2025. You do not need to do anything if you want your existing representatives to continue as supporters. To check or update your supporters, visit your My Aged Care online account or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. Your Care Manager will discuss with you and align to your client contacts.
Appendix A: Statement of Rights
Below is the full Statement of Rights from section 23 of the new Act.
Independence, autonomy, empowerment and freedom of choice
1. An individual has a right to:
a. exercise choice and make decisions that affect the individual’s life, including in relation to the following:
i. the funded aged care services the individual has been approved to access;
ii. how, when and by whom those services are delivered to the individual;
iii. the individual’s financial affairs and personal possessions; and
b. be supported (if necessary) to make those decisions, and have those decisions respected; and
c. take personal risks, including in pursuit of the individual’s quality of life, social participation and intimate and sexual relationships.
Equitable access
2. An individual has a right to equitable access to:
a. have the individual’s need for funded aged care services assessed, or reassessed, in a manner which is:
i. culturally safe, culturally appropriate, trauma-aware and healing-informed; and
ii. accessible and suitable for individuals living with dementia or other cognitive impairment; and
b. palliative care and end-of-life care when required.
Quality and safe funded aged care services
3. An individual has a right to:
a. be treated with dignity and respect; and
b. safe, fair, equitable and non-discriminatory treatment; and
c. have the individual’s identity, culture, spirituality and diversity valued and supported; and
d. funded aged care services being delivered to the individual:
i. in a way that is culturally safe, culturally appropriate, trauma-aware and healinginformed; and
ii. in an accessible manner; and
iii. by aged care workers of registered providers who have appropriate qualifications, skills and experience.
4. An individual has a right to:
a. be free from all forms of violence, degrading or inhumane treatment, exploitation, neglect, coercion, abuse or sexual misconduct; and
b. have quality and safe funded aged care services delivered consistently with the requirements imposed on registered providers under this Act.
Respect for privacy and information
5. An individual has a right to have the individual’s:
a. personal privacy respected; and
b. personal information protected.
6. An individual has a right to seek, and be provided with, records and information about the individual’s rights under this section and the funded aged care services the individual accesses, including the costs of those services.
Person-centred communication and ability to raise issues without reprisal
7. An individual has a right to:
a. be informed, in a way the individual understands, about the funded aged care services the individual accesses; and
b. express opinions about the funded aged care services the individual accesses and be heard.
8. An individual has a right to communicate in the individual’s preferred language or method of communication, with access to interpreters and communication aids as required.
9. An individual has a right to:
a. open communication and support from registered providers when issues arise in the delivery of funded aged care services; and
b. make complaints using an accessible mechanism, without fear of reprisal, about the delivery of funded aged care services to the individual; and
c. have the individual’s complaints dealt with fairly and promptly.
Advocates, significant persons and social connections
10. An individual has a right to be supported by an advocate or other person of the individual’s choice, including when exercising or seeking to understand the individual’s rights in this section, voicing the individual’s opinions, making decisions that affect the individual’s life and making complaints or giving feedback.
11. An individual has a right to have the role of persons who are significant to the individual, including carers, visitors and volunteers, be acknowledged and respected.
12. An individual has a right to opportunities, and assistance, to stay connected (if the individual so chooses) with:
a. significant persons in the individual’s life and pets, including through safe visitation by family members, friends, volunteers or other visitors where the individual lives and visits to family members or friends; and
b. the individual’s community, including by participating in public life and leisure, cultural, spiritual and lifestyle activities; and
c. if the individual is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person—community, Country and Island Home.
13. An individual has a right to access, at any time the individual chooses, a person designated by the individual, or a person designated by an appropriate authority.
