The Support at Home Program is a big shake-up of home care in Australia. It’s designed to make in-home care services more accessible, flexible, and personalised.
But with all these changes, you might be wondering, “What does this mean for me or my loved one?” Especially if you’re dealing with Baby Boomers Aged Care, or live in a regional spot like Wagga Wagga. We’re here to break it down into seven simple changes you need to know.
What Is the Support at Home Program?
Starting 1 November 2025, the Support at Home Program will replace Home Care Packages. It aims to help our older Aussies stay in their homes longer, by giving them more control over their care budget and support options.
This change affects everyone, from seniors currently on a Home Care Package, to those just beginning to explore baby boomer aged care options.
Key goals of the new program include:
- Greater Flexibility: Tailor your care plan to suit your needs.
- Budget Control: Know exactly how much you can spend and what’s covered.
- Fair Contribution: Those who can afford it contribute more, while others pay very little.
- Streamlined Process: Easier assessment and quicker access to services.
Now, let’s unpack the seven big changes you should know about.
1. A Smooth Transition for Current Home Care Recipients
If you’re already receiving Home Care Services under an existing package, you can breathe a sigh of relief. The good news is that the changeover to the Support at Home Program is designed to be seamless. Here’s what happens:
Automatic Move Across
- From 1 November 2025, everyone on a Home Care Package will automatically shift into the new Program. No new paperwork, no fresh assessments, unless your in-home care services have changed significantly.
Same Budget, Same Level
- You’ll keep your current budget and level. For example, if you’re at Level 3 now, you’ll move to Level 3 in the new system.
No Worse-Off Principle
- Your co-contributions won’t go up. In some cases, they might even come down a bit. That’s because the government has capped fees and adjusted contribution tiers.
Lifetime Cap
- There’s a lifetime cap of $130,000 for non-clinical care costs, so you won’t accidentally blow out your savings if you need In-Home Care Services for years.
All up, if you’re happy with your existing Wagga Wagga aged care provider, you can keep them.
2. Who Can Get Support at Home?
The eligibility rules have widened to include more Australians. Here’s a quick rundown:
Age Requirement
- Most people need to be 65 or older.
Special Provisions
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over can apply, as well as anyone 50+ who is homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Assessment System
- The Single Assessment System runs on the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT), which started in July 2024. This tool helps create a personal support plan based on your unique needs and goals.
Individualised Focus
- Assessors, or aged care service providers, talk to you (and possibly your family or carer) to understand what you want to achieve, such as staying active, maintaining friendships, or getting help with household chores.
Because of these changes, more people, especially those in rural areas, can access aged care service providers.
3. Tackling Wait Times Head-On
Under the old system, some folks waited months (or even years) for a Home Care Package. The new program aims to reduce this delay by:
Adding More Places
- Over the next decade, the government plans to create 300,000 extra spots. By 2035, around 1.4 million Australians could be receiving in-home support from aged care companies.
New Prioritisation System
- Instead of the old National Priority System, you’ll now be slotted into High, Medium, or Standard priority based on your care needs and personal circumstances.
Partial Funding While Waiting
- If you’re waiting for full funding, you get 60% of your budget upfront and the remaining 40% once full funding is available. This “backs you in” while you wait, so you can start using in-home care services
4. Understanding the Funding Model
Instead of simple package levels, services are now grouped into three categories:
| Category | Examples | Contribution Rates |
| Clinical Supports | Nursing care, physiotherapy | 0% (fully funded by government) |
| Independence | Personal care, assistive tech | 5%-50% (part-pensioners/CSHC),
50% (self-funded retirees with CSHC), 80% (no CSHC) |
| Everyday Living | Domestic assistance, gardening | 17.5%-80% (depending on financial status) |
CHSC=Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
Here’s what that means:
- Clinical Supports: Are completely free. There are no out-of-pocket costs for things like nursing visits or physio sessions.
- Independence Services: Involves a small co-payment for pensioners, while wealthier seniors pay a bit more.
- Everyday Living Services: Have higher co-payments based on your income and assets.
The best-aged care companies are already developing billing systems to handle the new contribution rates.
5. Levels of Support and Short-Term Pathways
The new program now offers eight ongoing support levels plus two short-term pathways. Each level comes with a set budget that’s paid quarterly:
| Support Type | Budget (Annual) | Quarterly Budget | Duration |
| Level 1 | ~$11,000 | ~$2,750 | Ongoing |
| Level 8 | ~$78,000 | ~$19,500 | Ongoing |
| Restorative Care | ~$6,000 (up to $ 12,000)* | Paid once | 6 weeks |
| End-of-Life Care | ~$25,500 | Paid once | 12 weeks |
*Restorative Care can be extended to ~$12,000 if you need extra rehabilitation support.
- Levels 1–8: Higher levels mean bigger budgets for more complex needs. Level 4 used to top out at around $61,400 per year; now, Level 8 goes up to about $78,000.
Local In-Home Based Aged Care Providers in Wagga Wagga can help you figure out which level suits you best.
6. What Services Are Covered?
The same services from home care packages are still on the menu, but they now fit into the three categories mentioned earlier (Clinical, Independence, and Everyday Living). Here’s a snapshot:
- Clinical Services
- Registered nurse visits
- Physiotherapy and occupational therapy
- Medication management
- Independence Services
- Personal care (showering, dressing)
- Mobility aids (walkers, wheelchairs)
- Some allied health services (like podiatry)
- Everyday Living Services
- Cleaning and laundry
- Meal preparation and shopping
- Yard maintenance and minor home repairs
From 1 July 2026, service prices will be capped by the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA). That means no hidden fees, and aged care service providers must stick to set prices for each service type.
You’ll receive your budget each quarter, and you can carry over up to $1,000 or 10% of that quarter’s allocation. Any extra amount rolls into the next quarter, so you won’t lose funds if you don’t spend it all.
If you’re getting quotes from different aged care service providers, always check for IHACPA compliance to avoid surprises.
7. A Boost for Assistive Technology and Home Modifications
A major barrier to staying at home is having a safe environment and the right equipment. The new Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme provides extra funding separate from your main care budget. There are three tiers:
| Category | Low Tier | Medium Tier | High Tier |
| Assistive Technology | $500 (For walkers and shower chairs) | $2,000 | $15,000 (For stair-lifts or specialised beds) |
| Home Modifications | $500 | $2,000 | $15,000 |
You must use this funding within 12 months of approval, and sometimes, you’ll need to chip in a co-contribution. Aged care service providers often connect clients with handyman services or occupational therapists to get quotes.
Aged care providers in Wagga Wagga might, for example, partner with local tradespeople to speed up modifications.
Wrapping Up
The Support at Home Program is a major step towards a fairer, more person-centred aged care system. With aged care companies adapting to the new rules, Aussie seniors in metropolitan and regional areas alike will have better chances to age in place comfortably.
Stay informed, ask questions, and make sure you or your loved ones get the best in-home care services possible, like Home at Heart. With the right support, the future of aged care looks bright!