On 1 July 2025, the new Support at Home Programme will commence, replacing the current Home Care Package (HCP) Programme. One of the key changes is how your funding will be provided and managed. Below are some common questions we’ve received from our Members about how this will work.
Q: Do I need to be reassessed when Support at Home begins?
A: No. If you’re currently receiving a Home Care Package, you will automatically transition to Support at Home without needing a new assessment. Your current funding level will remain the same.
Q: I already have a Home Care Package. How will my funding work under Support at Home?
A: You’ll continue to receive the same annual funding amount, but it will now be divided into quarterly budgets—released every three months. These budgets can be used to pay for the approved services and support outlined in your help plan.
We’ve included a table below showing how annual amounts are broken down into quarterly budgets.
| Home Care Package Level | Quarterly budget | Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $2,708 | $10,833 |
| Level 2 | $4,762 | $19,049 |
| Level 3 | $10,365 | $41,460 |
| Level 4 | $15,713 | $62,853 |
Q: Will I lose any unspent funds from my Home Care Package?
A: No. Any unspent funds you have at the time of transition will carry over in full and remain available for your use under Support at Home.
Q: Will I keep accumulating unspent funds?
A: No. While you will keep your unspent funds from the Home Care Package Programme, you will no longer be able to accumulate unspent funds under Support at Home.
Q: What happens if I don’t spend all of my quarterly budget?
A: You can carry over up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget (whichever is greater) into the next quarter. This ensures you have some flexibility for unplanned or future needs.
Q: What if my circumstances change and I need more support?
A: If your care needs change in the future, your funding can increase to match your needs.
Q: Will I have to pay more under Support at Home?
A: If, on 12 September 2024, you were:
- Receiving a Home Care Package
- Already assessed as eligible for a package,
you’ll be protected by the government’s ‘no worse off’ policy. This means your contributions under Support at Home will be the same or lower than what you would have paid under the previous Home Care Package Programme.
For more information on the aged care reforms and Support at Home
We've also created a more detailed overview of the aged care reforms including Support at Home which you can read here:
