Understanding your Support at Home changes

Big changes have taken effect in home care with the new Aged Care Act that began on 1 November 2025.

If you're currently receiving help through Support at Home (previously called a Home Care Package), it's important to understand what has changed for you, including how your care services are managed and what you need to contribute.

Talk to your care provider, and if you'd like some advice, we're here to help.

What has changed

Everyone who was receiving a Home Care Package has now transferred to the new Support at Home program. What this means for you depends on your situation and the choices you make, but two key changes are how the fees work and what happens if you don't spend your full budget allowance.

New fee structure

The Government continues to pay a large portion of the cost for your home support, but you're now asked to contribute a share of the cost. To determine your contribution, services are grouped into three categories:

• Clinical care

• Independence support, and

• Everyday living

The government fully funds clinical care services, but you're asked to make a contribution towards the cost of other services. How much you contribute depends on your financial situation – with age pensioners paying less than self-funded retirees.

The new fees are likely higher than before, but if you were receiving a Home Care Package (or held approval for one) on 12 September 2024, you're eligible for grandfathering concessions (and lower rates) to ensure you are "no worse off" under the new rules.

Unspent funds

Another big change is how your spending budget works.

Each quarter you're given an available budget based on your package level. This is made available on a "use it or lose it" basis. If you don't use all the money in that quarter, you can only carry over up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget (whichever is greater). The rest of the money is no longer available.

Unspent funds that you accumulated at 31 October 2025 may remain available to spend on approved services at a future date.

What you should do now

All Support at Home recipients should have received a letter from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, explaining whether you're grandfathered and what contribution percentage rates you're expected to pay.

Keep these letters safe – and share a copy with your financial adviser. They can help you understand what it means for your finances and make sure you're set up to manage your costs.

Your contribution rates should have also been confirmed in a second letter from Services Australia after 1 November. If you haven't already, you should review your care plan with your care provider and ensure you have a new care agreement based on their new pricing structure.

If you have questions or need guidance, we can help. At Olive Grove Financial, we specialise in helping families navigate the complex world of aged care finances. We can help you understand what the changes mean for you and how to make the most of your support. Contact us today for a confidential consultation.

Bill Savellis

Senior Financial Adviser

Having navigated the Aged Care landscape for both of his parents, Bill understands how challenging it can be to make the right decisions for your future care needs. That's why he believes that everyone should have access to financial advice during this time. Bill has been a Financial Adviser for over 22 years, and is passionate about helping others access the financial advice they need. Drawing from his own experience in the financial sector, Bill develops strategic, personalised plans to support transitions to Aged Care or Home Care.

---

Disclaimer: Prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information in this article, Olive Grove Financial Advice recommends that you consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances. Information in this article was correct and current as of 14 October 2025. Olive Grove Financial Advice is operated by Bill Savellis through The Financial Advisor (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 72 619 546 431, who is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 1278394) of Havana Financial Services Pty Ltd.