Transitioning to Support at Home: What You Need To Know
*UPDATE: Support at Home delayed to November 2025*
While delays in accessing home care can be frustrating for older Australians and their families, St Jude’s remains focused on the same goal: supporting clients and making this transition as smooth as possible.
From 1 November 2025, the Australian Government will introduce the new Support at Home program, which will reshape the way in-home aged care services are delivered across the country. At St Jude’s, we welcome these changes as it aligns with our unwavering commitment to providing respectful, person-centred care that upholds the dignity and autonomy of every individual we support.
The Support at Home program is designed to make accessing care simpler and more flexible, while also placing greater emphasis on wellness, reablement, and person-centred care. It recognises that everyone’s journey is different, and that maintaining independence means having the right support to do the things that matter most – on your terms.
The program also respects the right of individuals to take informed risks in pursuit of a meaningful life – reflecting the important principle of dignity of risk. Whether it’s continuing a favourite hobby, staying connected to your community, or simply having more choice in how your care is delivered, Support at Home puts you in control.
As we transition to the Support at Home program, our dedicated team remains committed to delivering high-quality, flexible services that reflect our core values and the diverse needs of our community.
What Is Support at Home?
Support at Home is a new program that will replace existing in-home aged care services like the Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs. It brings everything together into one simpler, more flexible system that’s easier to understand and navigate.
Key Changes You Need to Know
The introduction of Support at Home brings several significant changes. Here’s what you can expect:
- One Simplified Program – The HCP and STRC programs will be phased out and replaced with Support at Home.
- Faster Assessments – A new, single assessment process will help older Australians get support sooner.
- Clear Service Inclusions – A defined list of services (such as personal care, nursing, allied health, and home modifications) ensures transparency and consistency.
- Quarterly Budgets – You’ll receive a quarterly budget to use on approved services based on your assessed care needs.
- Participant Contributions – A clearer structure for contributions based on your financial situation and needs. These changes are designed to provide more personalised and responsive care, ensuring services align closely with each individual’s needs and help participants to stay at home.
What About Current Home Care Package Recipients?
If you’re already receiving a Home Care Package, assessed as eligible for HCP or on the National Priority System before 12 September 2024, you will be considered a grandfathered participant. This means:
- You can continue with your current Home Care Package arrangements.
- You can be “no worse off” under Support at Home Program in terms of your funding and contributions.
- You will transition across to Support at Home immediately on your current level of funding.
- Your provider will assist you in the transition to the Support at Home program.
This ensures a smoother, more flexible changeover for those already receiving home care services.
Who else is affected?
Transitional Participants
Assessed between 12 September 2024 and 1 November 2025
If you’re assessed as eligible for a Home Care Package during this time, you’ll be considered a transitional participant.
- You’ll be required to contribute to the Support at Home program under the new fee structure when it commences on 1 November 2025.
New Participants
Assessed after 1 November 2025
From 1 November 2025, new participants will be assessed using a new Single Assessment System. Approved participants will receive a Notice of Decision:
- A personalised support plan outlining care needs and goals
- A classification and associated budget
Implementation Timeline
- 1 November 2025: Support at Home replaces the HCP and STRC programs.
- No earlier than 1 July 2027: The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will transition to Support at Home.
New Funding Arrangements
The Government has developed a Support at Home fee estimator so you can calculate what you may have to contribute towards each service under Support at Home.
This simple tool provides a general idea of how the new funding arrangements may impact participant contributions and how they vary based on required services. The link to the fee estimator is provided below:
Government fee calculator: Upcoming changes to aged care funding
How Is St Jude’s Preparing?
At St Jude’s, we are committed to providing high-quality, personalised care. In preparation for the Support at Home program, we are:
- Training our Staff: Ensuring our team is fully trained on the new system to provide seamless service.
- Communicating with our Clients: Keeping our clients informed about changes and how they may be affected.
- Aligning our Services: Modifying our services to align with the new program’s offerings and requirements.
Our goal is to make this transition as smooth as possible for our clients and their families. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact St Jude’s. Our team is here to support you through this transition and ensure you continue to receive the care you need.
Need More Information?
For more details about the Support at Home program, we’ve compiled a list of useful resources to visit:
If you or a loved one needs support, contact our friendly team today.