Support at Home Program
A New Approach to Aged Care at Home
The Support at Home program is Australia’s new in-home aged care system set to begin on 1 July 2025. It was developed in response to the Aged Care Royal Commission’s recommendations for better support at home health.gov.au.
The program’s purpose is to help older Australians live independently at home for longer by improving access to care services, assistive equipment, and home modifications health.gov.au. In practical terms, Support at Home will bring together several current aged care programs into one simpler, fairer system.
Under Support at Home, the Australian Government aims to ensure no one is left behind. Existing Home Care Package recipients and Short-Term Restorative Care clients will seamlessly transition into the new program from July 2025 health.gov.au. Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) – which offers basic entry-level services – will continue operating as is until it shifts into Support at Home by 1 July 2027 health.gov.auhealth.gov.au.
This staged approach gives community providers time to adapt and prevents any disruption in care for seniors. In the interim, all current services (HCP, CHSP, etc.) will continue as normal until they roll into the new system nationalseniors.com.au. For older Australians and their families, the key takeaway is peace of mind: you will not lose access to essential services – the goal is to enhance and streamline support, not take anything away.
Key Changes: From HCP & CHSP to the New Support at Home
The Support at Home program represents a major reform of in-home aged care. Here are some key differences between the current Home Care Packages/CHSP system and the new Support at Home approach:
Unified Program
Instead of separate programs (HCP, CHSP, STRC), Support at Home creates one consolidated program for all in-home aged care health.gov.au . This unified structure will be easier to navigate and more equitable for everyone. Seniors will no longer “graduate” from CHSP to HCP – all care at home falls under one umbrella, with services tailored to different needs and circumstances.
New Funding Classifications
The old HCP levels (1–4) are being replaced by eight new funding classification levels under Support at Home. These range from around $11,000 up to $78,000 per year in support, allowing for more granular matching of care to each person’s needs. In other words, if you need a little help or a lot, the program can assign a budget that fits you better than the previous broad package levels.
Simplified Assessments
To access any in-home care, there will be a Single Assessment System instead of multiple assessment pathways. In fact, a new integrated assessment tool has already started rolling out to make getting assessed for care simpler. This means you tell your story once and the outcome determines your Support at Home classification and plan – a much smoother experience than navigating separate assessments for different programs.
Transparent Fees & Contributions
Support at Home introduces standardised participant contributions set by the government, making fees clearer and fairer for all. No matter which approved provider you use, you’ll be asked to contribute roughly the same for similar services, replacing the old mix of fee arrangements. Importantly, existing clients are protected by a “no worse off” rule – you will pay the same or less than you do now for equivalent services when you transition to Support at Home. New clients entering after July 2025 will simply start on the new contribution schedule from day one.
Quarterly Budgets & Unspent Funds
In the Home Care Package system, funds were allocated annually and could accumulate as “unspent funds.” Under Support at Home, your approved funding will be split into quarterly budgets, which makes it easier to plan services every three months. You can still roll over a portion of any unspent funding (up to 10% of the quarter’s budget, or $1,000, whichever is higher) to the next quarter. This policy ensures you have flexibility without large sums sitting unused for long periods – resources are more actively supporting your care.
Broader Service Options
The new program will expand and integrate services available at home. All the supports you know – personal care, domestic help, nursing, transport, social support, therapy, respite – continue under Support at Home, plus improved access to things like allied health and assistive technology. There are also dedicated short-term interventions for restorative care and end-of-life care built into the program (up to 12–16 weeks of intensive support when needed) to help seniors regain independence or receive palliative support at home.
GHCA Is Ready to Support You through the Transition
Glow Health Care Australia has been proactively preparing to make this transition smooth and positive for all our clients. We’re here to guide you at every step, so you continue receiving quality care without interruption.
In fact, GHCA has already taken concrete steps (see our recent article “Support at Home Program: 5 Ways GHCA Is Ready”) to ensure we hit the ground running in July 2025:
Staff Training and Upskilling
Our care teams are undergoing targeted training on the new Support at Home standards and procedures. This means GHCA support workers, nurses, and care coordinators will be fully versed in the new assessment process, service categories, and reporting requirements. Most importantly, our staff will be able to explain the new program to you clearly and confidently, so you know what to expect.
Client Communication (Including CALD Outreach)
We recognise that not everyone finds government policies easy to digest – especially if English isn’t your first language. GHCA’s culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) team members are translating key Support at Home information into plain language and multiple languages, so families from all backgrounds understand what’s changing. .
Personalised Care Planning
Because the new program emphasises individual needs over one-size-fits-all packages, our care coordinators have started reviewing each client’s plan in advance. We use our “MyCare Mapping” tool to map out your likely Support at Home services and budget well before the launch. By identifying any gaps or new opportunities early, we can set realistic goals with you and ensure a seamless continuation of services.
Collaboration with Health Partners
A smooth transition to Support at Home involves teamwork. GHCA is actively collaborating with GPs, allied health professionals, and other care partners to align everyone on the new processes. For example, we’ve hosted round-table discussions with referring doctors and plan managers to share information and make sure referrals, care plans, and client information flow efficiently.
Upgraded Digital Tools
Embracing technology is another way GHCA is supporting our clients through this change. Our online client portal is getting an upgrade to coincide with the Support at Home rollout. Soon, you’ll be able to log in and easily track your care schedule, read visit notes, and even send secure messages to your care coordinator. We’re also adding a library of downloadable resources (in various languages) about your services and entitlements.
Dedicated Transition Support Team
We’ve established a specialised Support at Home Transition Team whose sole focus is guiding clients through every step of the move. This team coordinates all stakeholders, handles enquiries or issues promptly, and provides a single point of contact—so you always know exactly who to call if you need help or reassurance.