The Federal Government has confirmed that the Support at Home program –a major reform replacing the Home Care Packages (HCP) and Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) –will now start on 1 November 2025, instead of 1 July.

This delay aligns with the broader Aged Care Act reform, providing the aged care providers and the broader sector more time to prepare.

What will the Support at Home program deliver?

When it launches on 1 November 2025, Support at Home will:

• Replace four HCP levels with eight new care classifications
• Introduce a fee-for-service model where clients pay based on service type and pension status
• Implement quarterly budgets and price caps per service
• Include a lifetime cap of $130,000 on non-clinical care fees.

Services will be grouped into:

• Clinical care – fully government-funded
• Independence support – partially funded, depending on means
• Everyday living – highest client contributions, particularly for self-funded retirees.

Example: A full Age Pensioner will pay just 5%–17.5% for eligible services, while a
self-funded retiree could pay up to 80% for non-clinical support.

Transition rules: no one worse off

If you were:

• Already receiving a HCP
• On the waitlist (National Priority System), or
• Approved for a package as of 12 September 2024

You will be covered under a ‘no worse off’ principle –meaning you’ll continue to pay equal or lesser fees under the new program.

Read more in our Aged Care Reforms Overview and Residential Aged Care blog.

Need help understanding the changes?

Contact Brendan O’Reilly at Peak Advice to explore how these reforms may fit into your retirement strategy.

We can assist you with navigating these options and helping you choose a solution that’s right for you. From understanding funding rules to coordinating care plans and managing Centrelink entitlements, we’re here to help you make confident, well-informed decisions.