Support at Home - 1 November 2025
The Support at Home (SAH) program replaces the Home Care Packages Program and Short-term Restorative Care Programme from 1 November 2025. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will transition to SAH no earlier than 1 July 2027.
Eligibility & Assessment:
- Services are available to those aged 65+, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged 50+, or those 50+ who are homeless or at risk.
- Eligibility is determined via a needs assessment by an approved assessor, using the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT).
- Assessments can be requested through MyAgedCare, online, or via health professionals.
SAH covers a range of services, including:
- Clinical care (nursing, occupational therapy)
- Support for independence (personal care, medication management)
- Everyday living activities (cleaning, gardening, shopping, meal preparation)
- Assistive technology and home modifications
- Restorative and end-of-life care
Funding & Budgets:
- Individuals receive a quarterly budget based on their assessed needs and classification (eight ongoing and three short-term classifications).
- Budgets range from $2,683.01 to $19,526.51 per quarter, depending on classification.
- Care management fees are set at 10% of the quarterly budget.
- Unspent funds can be rolled over to the next quarter, capped at $1,000 or 10% of the budget.
Fees & Contributions:
- The government funds 100% of clinical care costs.
- Individuals contribute to costs for independence and everyday living activities, based on income and assets.
- Contribution rates:
- Full pensioners: 5% (independence), 17.5% (everyday living)
- Part pensioners/CSHC holders: 5–50% (independence), 17.5–80% (everyday living)
- Self-funded retirees/means not disclosed: 50% (independence), 80% (everyday living)
- Maximum contribution thresholds are set for income and assets.
Service Agreements & Providers:
- Services are delivered by a single care provider, responsible for care management and coordination.
- Individuals have 56 days (extendable to 84) to find a provider and enter a service agreement once funding is allocated.
- Agreements include a 14-day cooling-off period.
Transitional Arrangements:
- Existing Home Care Package recipients transition to SAH under ‘no worse-off’ rules.
- Grandfathered recipients retain previous contribution rates and funding levels.
- Unspent funds from previous packages can be carried over.
Additional Features:
- Lifetime cap on means-tested contributions ($135,318.69 as at 1 November 2025).
- Financial hardship provisions allow for fee reduction supplements.
- Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme provides separate funding for eligible items and modifications.
Tips to consider:
- Individuals can opt not to disclose financial means but will pay maximum rates.
- Service providers cannot charge entry/exit fees.
- Changes in financial circumstances must be reported within 28 days.
Matthew Kelly CFP®
Representative (No 314983)
