- About
- Information
- Support at Home
- Our Services
- Education & Consultancy
- Get Involved
Support at Home
As of 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaces the current Home Care Package (HCP) program. This marks a major shift in how older Australians receive care at home with more flexibility, clearer service categories, and funding that better matches individual needs.
The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) will continue unchanged until at least 1 July 2027, ensuring continuity for those receiving entry-level support.
Support at Home is designed to help older people stay independent, safe, and comfortable in their own homes living life their way, with support when and where it’s needed most.
More tailored care: Funding levels and service categories now reflect older people’s needs and goals including more complex care needs.
Greater transparency: Clients receive itemised statements and transparent pricing in line with the new service categories of clinical, independence and everyday living. It will also show separately case management, and usage of other supports such as restorative care, home modifications, assistive technology or palliative care.
Simplified access: One program, one provider, one budget with streamlined pathways and additional budgets for restorative and palliative care, including better access to assessment and reassessments as your needs change.
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications: scheme for access to products, equipment and home modifications to meet your assessed needs
End-of-Life Pathway: with extra funding to support older people to stay at home in their last 3 months of life.
Stronger safeguards: The new Aged Care Act 2024 and pricing framework ensure fairness, accountability, and quality. For example, the government sets a pricing caps framework.
Support for ageing in place: Clients can remain connected to family, culture, and community with care that adapts as they do e.g. palliative care supports.
What’s Changing?
8 Funding Levels: Support at Home introduces tiered funding from $2,000 to $50,000 annually, matched to the client’s assessed needs.
3 Key Service Categories: Services are now grouped into:
General Support (e.g., cleaning, transport)
Personal and Clinical Care (e.g., nursing, dementia support)
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (e.g., mobility aids, ramps)
2 new categories for restorative care and palliative care.
From Brokered Services to Associate Providers: The traditional third-party brokered service model is being replaced by an associate provider framework, where external partners are formally linked to the primary provider and must meet quality and compliance standards. This ensures greater transparency, continuity of care for clients, and clearer lines of responsibility.
|
Feature |
Previous Model (HCP) |
Support at Home (from Nov 2025) |
|---|---|---|
|
Programs |
Home Care Package & Restorative Care
Package |
Unified Support at Home program |
|
Funding Levels |
4 levels |
8 ongoing levels + 2 short-term pathways |
|
Funding Frequency |
Annual |
Quarterly |
|
Unspent Funds |
Annual rollover |
Limited quarterly rollover to max of
$1000 |
|
Service Categories |
Mixed and variable |
3 clear categories: General Support,
Personal/Clinical Care, Assistive Tech & Modifications |
|
Client Contributions |
Basic Daily Fee + co-payments |
No Basic Daily Fee; contributions based
on service type and financial assessment No contributions for clinical care |
|
Statements |
Often unclear |
Monthly itemised statements with service,
cost, and balance |
|
Provider Payments |
Paid in advance |
From July 2026, paid after service
delivery |
|
Pricing |
Set by providers |
Price caps were introduced in 2026, based
on government limits |
|
Management Fees |
Separate care and package fees |
10% care management fee only; package
fees absorbed |
|
Assistive Tech & Modifications |
Limited and inconsistent access |
Nationally consistent program with
upfront access |
- No need to reapply clients will be automatically transitioned to Support at Home on 1 November 2025.
- We will support all our clients with helping them sign a new Support at Home Agreement and provide an updated budget that aligns with their existing services and care plan.
- The government has committed to a “no worse off” guarantee:
- Clients with an active HCP as of 12 September 2024 will retain their funding level.
- Unspent funds will carry over into the new program.
- If reassessed and eligible for a higher level, clients will move to that classification as soon as it becomes available.
If you or someone you care for is new to aged care and seeking support at home:
- Start with My Aged Care
- Visit Support at Home program | My Aged Care or call 1800 200 422
- Request an aged care assessment to determine eligibility
- Choose Your Provider
- Once approved, you can nominate your preferred provider to deliver services under Support at Home
- Receive Your Budget and Care Plan
- Your funding level will be matched to your assessed needs
- You’ll work with your provider to develop a personalised care plan and budget
- Understand Your Contributions
- Some services may require co-payments based on your financial situation
- Clinical care (e.g., nursing, physiotherapy) remains fully funded
- Track Your Services and Spending
- You’ll receive quarterly budgets and monthly statements
- Unused funds can roll over (up to $1,000 or 10% per quarter)
- Start with My Aged Care
Support at Home Services Practical considerations Receiving a diagnosis of dementia may prompt you to take the necessary steps to ensure your future life is as enabling as possible.
Things to consider:
- Find out if you are eligible for government-funded services
- Financial and legal planning
- Investigate in-home supports available in your area.
Early planning can also include goals you would like to achieve, holidays you would
like to take, or other things you would like to see or do in your lifetime. This kind
of planning helps your future be self-determined. It can help you to maintain
and even enhance your quality of life and state of wellbeing. It may also help you to
stay at home and be active within your local community for as long as possible.
You can receive a range of services if you are approved for the Support at Home program. The Support at Home service list has 3 service categories that you can access:
- Clinical supports – such as nursing care, occupational therapy and physiotherapy.
- Independence – such as help with showering, taking medications, transport or centre based or in home respite care.
- Everyday living – such as cleaning, gardening, shopping or meal preparation.
Dedicated Care Partners
Based on your aged care assessment, you will have access to an approved list of services. Your care partner will help you choose the mix of services you can access within your budget, based on your assessment.
A care partner is a staff member from your service provider who will work with you to identify your aged care needs, goals, preferences and existing supports. This will be documented in a care plan, which will be reviewed annually and more frequently if required.
The care plan is guided by your support plan, which you receive when you are approved for aged care through the My Aged Care system. You can request to change your mix of services from the approved list at any time with your care partner, who will support you to make sure the services you receive meet your needs.
New Support at Home Package levels
Your care needs will be assessed and matched to one of ten funding categories:
- Eight levels of ongoing support
- Two short-term pathways for restorative care and end-of-life care
This new approach ensures your funding better aligns with the type and level of care you need.
|
Classification Level |
Annual Budget |
Quarterly Budget |
10% Quarterly Care |
Maximum Roll Over |
|
Level 1 Home Care Package |
$10,833 |
$2,708 |
$270 |
$1,000 |
|
Support at Home – Level 1 |
$11,000 |
$2,750 |
$275 |
$1,000 |
|
Support at Home – Level 2 |
$16,000 |
$4,000 |
$400 |
$1,000 |
|
Level 2 Home Care Package |
$19,049 |
$4,762 |
$476 |
$1,000 |
|
Support at Home – Level 3 |
$22,000 |
$5,500 |
$550 |
$1,000 |
|
Support at Home – Level 4 |
$30,000 |
$7,500 |
$750 |
$1,000 |
|
Support at Home – Level 5 |
$40,000 |
$10,000 |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
|
Level 3 Home Care Package |
$41,460 |
$10,365 |
$1,036 |
$1,036 |
|
Support at Home – Level 6 |
$48,000 |
$12,000 |
$1,200 |
$1,200 |
|
Support at Home – Level 7 |
$58,000 |
$14,500 |
$1,450 |
$1,450 |
|
Level 4 Home Care Package |
$62,853 |
$15,713 |
$1,571 |
$1,571 |
|
Support at Home – Level 8 |
$78,000 |
$19,500 |
$1,950 |
$1,950 |
Up to $1,000 or 10% of a quarterly budget can roll over for future needs (like mobility aids or home improvements).
Restorative Care
Delivered by multidisciplinary teams, restorative care may include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nursing, and personal support tailored to each person’s goals. These short-term, goal-oriented services focus on recovery, reablement, and improving daily living capacity often preventing or delaying the need for long-term care. Clients accessing this pathway will be eligible for an additional unit of funding, which could be approved.
Participants can access 2 non-consecutive restorative care episodes ($6,000 each), with minimum 3 months between each episode.
The End-of-Life Pathway
This pathway supports older people who have 3 months or less to live and want to remain at home. Older people who want to access this pathway must meet eligibility criteria as assessed by a doctor or nurse practitioner.
Around $25,000 is available per participant over a 12-week period. If a participant still needs services after 12 weeks, they may continue using the budget up until the 16-week mark, if funding is still available, and access unspent package funds.
National Priority System: For Home Care Packages Approved Before 30 June 2025
- If you have been approved for a Home Care Package before 30 June 2025, you’ll receive a Support at Home budget that matches your approved level once it becomes available.
- If you have another assessment and qualify for a higher level of care, you’ll move to that new funding classification as soon as it becomes available.
Contributions from 1st of November 2025
Under the new system, you may contribute to the cost of some services, while others will remain fully funded:
- No contribution is required for clinical care services like nursing and physiotherapy.
- Moderate contributions will apply to services that support independence, such as personal care.
- Higher contributions may be needed for everyday living services like domestic help and gardening.
Contribution amounts will be based on a percentage of the service price. You’ll pay a portion, and a government subsidy will cover the rest. These contributions will vary depending on the service type and your individual financial situation, assessed by Services Australia.
You can find out more at My Aged Care. Refer to the fact sheet on participant contributions.
How much will I pay for Support at Home with Alzheimer’s WA?
Your costs under the Support at Home program will depend on the type of service you receive and your individual financial assessment. To help you understand what to expect, we’ve published a detailed Support at Home Pricing Schedule, available as a downloadable PDF. This schedule outlines hourly rates for services such as personal care, nursing, allied health, respite, and social support — as well as contribution guidelines based on service type.
For example, personal care on weekdays is $115 per hour charged to your budget, while centre-based day care starts at $89.
Clinical services like nursing and physiotherapy are fully funded, with no client contribution required. You’ll only pay a portion of the service cost, with the remainder covered by government subsidy. Download the Pricing Schedule here to view all rates and contribution details.
Questions?
Why choose Alzheimer's WA?
There's no place like home
Our aim is to help you or your family member stay connected and in your community, at home for as long as possible. Home-based care is our preference as it keeps you connected to your community, we won't recommend the move into residential care until it is in your best interests to do so.
Personalised Care
You are an individual which is why our community groups, Support at Home, respite care and the activities in our day houses are personalised to you, and what you would like to do. At Alzheimer's WA, we focus on person-centred care.
The Dementia Care Experts
We are experts in dementia care, from our experienced customer service officers to our supportive Support at Home package coordinators, our in-house consulting Education team and our support workers.
Become a Member
Corporate Office
1/40 Subiaco Square Rd
Subiaco
WA 6008
PO Box 1509
Subiaco, WA 6904
Telephone: 1300 66 77 88
Fax: (08) 9388 2739
