Support at Home

What You Need to Know

When does Support at Home start?

The current Home Care Package program ends on 31 October 2025.

Support at Home begins on 1 November 2025.

If you have a Home Care Package, it will transition to the new Support at Home program automatically. As of 1 July 2025, any new offers will be Support at Home.

What are types of care under Support at Home?

Support at Home has four main types of care:

Ongoing Support: Eight (8) care levels, matched to your needs

Restorative Care: Short-term support (e.g. physio) to help you recover

Assistive Technology & Modifications: Equipment or changes to your home to keep you safe and mobile

End-of-Life Care: Support during the final 3 months of life

What are the 3 service categories and how do they work?

Under Support at Home services are categorised into 3 distinct groups, each with a specific purpose to support your independence and care.

Clinical Supports:

Specialised services to maintain or regain functional and/or cognitive capabilities

Nursing, most allied health, nutrition, care management and restorative care management

Independence:

Support to manage activities of daily living and loss of skills or function to live independently

Personal care, social support & community engagement, therapeutic services, respite, transport, assistive technology, home modifications

Everyday Living:

Support to keep your home in a liveable state and support your independence at home

Domestic assistance, shopping assistance, home maintenance (including light gardening) & home repairs, and meals (preparation and/or delivery)

Together, we will review your care needs and care plan and align your services to these new service categories.

You will not need a new care plan to transition to Support at Home.

Do I Have to Pay for Services I use?

If you’re already paying fees with your current Home Care Package you won’t pay more. If you are not paying any fees, you won’t be paying under the Support at Home program.

Your actual payment amount will depend on your income, assessed by Centrelink (Services Australia).

You may need to pay for services under Support at Home if:

You were assessed after 12 September 2024

You’re still waiting for a Home Care Package or Support at Home

You’re already paying fees under your current Home Care Package

How much you pay depends on the services you use. Each of the 3 service categories attracts differ fee amounts:

Clinical Care (e.g. nursing, physio): Free for everyone, no cost to you

Independence Support (e.g. personal care, transport): Low cost to you

Everyday Living (e.g. cleaning, gardening, shopping): Medium or Higher cost to you

What services will I need?

Your assessment will determine the services you need to maintain your independence, safety and wellbeing. An individual care plan will be created just for you with the types of care and services you need.

If your care needs or your circumstances change you will need a formal reassessment to determine the types of care and service, you may need. The assessment will be conducted by the Single Assessment Service, which is an independent of PRONIA, your Support at Home provider.

How will the Budget work?

Funding is provided every 3 months (quarterly)

You will receive between $2,671 and $19,500 per quarter, depending on your assessed care level.

90% of the budget is to fund your care services. The government has set 10% of your funding to manage your care.

Up to $1,000 or 10% of your unused budget each quarter (whichever is more) can be rolled over to the next quarter.

You can only your allocated quarterly budget on services each quarter. It is not possible to spent more than your quarterly budget.

You will continue to receive a monthly statement

What will PRONIA as my care partner and provider offer me?

As your care partner, PRONIA will:

Help you understand your needs and goals

Create and update your personal care plan

Organise your services and manage your funding

Stay in touch with you and your family or carers

Provide clinical support if your needs change

Offer education and advice when needed

Help you apply for special programs like Restorative Care, Assistive Technology, Home Modifications or End of Life funding if you are eligible.

How will my Home Care Package (HCP) transition to the New Support at Home program?

PRONIA will automatically transition your HCP to the new Support at Home program on 1 November 2025.

You will need to sign a new Services Agreement document with PRONIA which stipulates the cost of services and nominates PRONIA as your service provider.

I’ve had HCP for several years. How does the new Support at Home program affect me?

If you received a Home Care Package (HCP) before 12 September 2024:

You will automatically transition to Support at Home on 1 November 2025

You’ll keep your current care level and unspent funds

You will not pay any more for services

Your funding will be split into 4 equal payments (one per quarter)

90% of the budget is for your care; 10% is for care management

Your services must last for the full quarter and match your care plan

You’ll receive a monthly statement of your budget and services.

I was assessed or approved for a Home Care Package (HCP) after 12 September 2024. How does the new Support at Home program affect me?

If you were assessed after 12 September 2024, or are:

Waiting for a Home Care Package or Support at Home

On Commonwealth Home Support Program which is entry level support

Planning to apply for an aged care assessment

You will:

Be automatically included in the new program from 1 November 2025

Receive quarterly funding based on your needs

Still receive free clinical care, for nursing and allied health services

Pay for your care with contributions for Independence and Everyday Living services

Be assessed by Centrelink to determine your contributions

Be able to apply for hardship if you cannot afford fees

Continue with the same services, adjusted to fit the new system

Receive a monthly budget report

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the new categories and the services?

Clinical Care: Specialised services such as nursing, most allied health, nutrition, care management and restorative care management. These services are Free to everyone.

Independence Support: This includes services to help you live at home such personal care, transport etc. This service will attract a low fee.

Everyday Living: This includes services to help you keep a safe and comfortable home such as domestic assistance, shopping, gardening, home repairs. This service will attract a higher fee.

How much will I pay?

You will only pay for services if you were assessed after 12 September 2024 or await on the national priority list.

Clinical services (such as nursing and allied health) are free for everyone.

If you were assessed after 12 September 2024, the percentage of the service you will pay depends on your Services Australia (Centrelink)assessment, the type of service and how often you use it.

All pensioners will need to pay a fee for services, even if you are a full pensioner.

What happens to my unspent funds?

You can keep and use them on approved services and expenses such as aids and equipment

You can roll over up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget

Why do I pay 10% for care management?

It’s required by the government and not negotiable.

It ensures someone is managing your care and checking on your wellbeing under new Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards

Can I change providers?

Yes, you can switch at any time if you believe a different provider can better meet your care needs.

You Support at Home Agreement outlines the participant (you) and the approved provider’s (PRONIA) responsibilities in relation to the transfer of your care

What if I need a reassessment?

If your needs increase, you can ask for a reassessment.

Your reassessment may require additional information from your General Practitioner, Allied Health, Specialist or Geriatrician

If your care needs are higher, you may be approved for a higher Support at Home classification level.

Do I need a new care plan?

No. Your current plan continues until your needs or goals change in line with eligible services and aids and equipment under Support at Home

How do I apply?

Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au

Provide your Medicare number and basic info about your needs

A health professional will assess you at home

You may be offered temporary support while waiting for full access

CALL PRONIA

PRONIA can guide you through every step of the process. Whether you’re just starting out or preparing for the transition, our team is here to support you.