A New Era of Home Care Has Arrived
The Support at Home program is here - bringing a simpler, more flexible way to access aged care services at home.
Designed to give you more choice, control, and confidence, Support at Home replaces the old Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care programs with one streamlined system that’s focused on you.
At Salveo HomeCare, we make navigating this new system easy. From personalised care planning to transparent pricing and ongoing support, we’re here to help you live well, your way, every day.
Funding
Your funding classification is determined through an aged care assessment that looks at your individual needs, goals, and living situation.
Under the old Home Care Package program, there were only four funding levels.
With the new Support at Home program, there are now eight classification levels, providing a more accurate match between your care needs and the funding you receive. Each budget is released in quarterly amounts, giving you flexibility to plan and adjust your supports throughout the year.
Comparing Funding Classifications
Support at Home classification | Approx. quarterly budget-1 | Approx. annual budget |
|---|---|---|
1 | ~$2,682.75 | ~$10,731.00 |
2 | ~$4,008.61 | ~$16,034.45 |
3 | ~$5,491.43 | ~$21,965.70 |
4 | ~$7,424.10 | ~$29,696.28 |
5 | ~$9,924.35 | ~$39,697.40 |
6 | ~$12,028.58 | ~$48,114.30 |
7 | ~$14,537.04 | ~$58,148.15 |
8 | ~$19,526.59 | ~$78,106.35 |
*Quarterly budgets and annual amounts are effective from 1 November 2025 and are subject to change in July each year in line with indexation.
Transitioned Home Care Package level | Support at Home quarterly budge | Support at Home annual budget |
|---|---|---|
1 | ~$2,746.66 | ~$10,986.50 |
2 | ~$4,829.86 | ~$19,319.45 |
3 | ~$10,513.86 | ~$42,055.30 |
4 | ~$15,939.55 | ~$63,758.20 |
If your needs change you may be reassessed into a new classification with a higher budget.
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How Salveo HomeCare Helps
We’ll work with you to:
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Understand your Support at Home classification and what it means for your care.
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Build a personalised care plan that fits your funding and goals.
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Maximise your budget across each quarter so you get the most from your supports.
Your care, your funding, your way - that’s the Salveo HomeCare difference.
Managing Your Budget
Your Support at Home funding is provided quarterly to give you more flexibility and control. Each quarter, your funds are added to your account to cover the services in your care plan.
At Salveo HomeCare, we’ll help you:
Plan your supports around your quarterly budget
Track spending and adjust as your needs change
Understand your monthly statements clearly
Short-term pathways
In addition to your ongoing Support at Home classification, there are short-term pathways that provide extra help when your circumstances change.
These flexible options give you the right support when you need it most.
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications
(AT-HM) Scheme
Helping you live safely and comfortably at home.
The AT-HM scheme provides separate funding for home modifications and equipment that help you live safely and independently — without using your main Support at Home budget.
Depending on your needs, you may receive up to $15,000 in funding for assistive technology, home modifications, or both. This can include mobility aids, shower chairs, grab rails, ramps, or bathroom adjustments prescribed by an allied health professional.
Our team at Salveo HomeCare will help you access the right supports, arrange assessments, and ensure any equipment or home changes are safe, suitable, and tailored to you.
Restorative Care Pathway
Short-term support focused on recovery and independenc
If you’ve had an illness, injury or hospital stay, this pathway provides up to 16 weeks of intensive support to help you regain strength, mobility and confidence.
Typical funding: around $6,000 (6 weeks), or up to $12,000 for extended care when eligible.
Our team coordinates care plans, therapy, and services designed to help you get back to feeling your best
End of Life Pathway
Comfort, dignity, and care when it matters most.
This pathway offers specialist home-based care and support during the final stages of life.
Typical funding: approximately $25,500 (12 weeks).
It focuses on helping you remain comfortable, supported and surrounded by loved ones, with respect for your wishes and choices.
How your unspent funds work
If you were receiving a Home Care Package before moving to Support at Home, any money you hadn’t yet used has moved across with you. Those funds are still yours to spend on approved care and supports when you need them.
You can use your unspent balance to cover additional services or to purchase assistive technology and home modifications that help you stay safe and independent at home.
Under Support at Home, a small portion of your funding - up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget (whichever is higher) - can also roll over into the next quarter.
At Salveo HomeCare, we’ll help you make the most of every dollar, planning your care each quarter so your funding continues to work toward your goals.
Services Under Support at Home
Under the Support at Home program, all care and support services fall into three clear categories - making it easier to understand what’s included and how your funding can be used.
These services are outlined in the Support at Home Service List, which ensures every provider offers consistent, approved supports you can rely on. Learn more about the Service List
Everyday Living
Domestic Assistance, Home Maintenance and Gardening and Meal Preparation
The government covers all clinical care costs. You may contribute to Independence or Everyday Living supports based on your income. The Support at Home Service List makes it easy to see what’s included.
Our Care, Your Contribution
Your contributions go directly toward the care and services you receive, helping you make the most of your home care while maximising government support.
The Support at Home program is designed so the government funds most of your care based on your assessed needs. Your contribution simply helps you access even more support to live well, stay healthy, and enjoy life at home.
You’ll only ever pay for the services you use, no hidden fees or unnecessary charges. When you contribute, the government continues to cover a large portion of your costs, ensuring your funding delivers the best possible value for your care.
Here’s how participant contributions work under Support at Home:
If you receive the full pension, your contribution is small and affordable.
You’ll typically contribute around 5% of the cost for Independence supports and 17.5% for Everyday Living supports, with the government covering the rest.If you’re a part pensioner, your contribution will depend on your income and assets.
You may contribute between 5% and 50% for Independence supports, and between 17.5% and 80% for Everyday Living supports.If you’re self-funded, your contribution is higher but still shared with the government.
You’ll generally pay 50% for Independence supports and 80% for Everyday Living supports.If you were receiving a Home Care Package or were approved on or before 12 September 2024, your current fee arrangements are protected.
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If you didn’t pay an income-tested fee before, you’ll continue to pay nothing under Support at Home.
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If you did pay an income-tested fee, you’ll move across with discounted contribution rates.
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There’s a maximum lifetime cap of $130,000 that applies across both Support at Home and residential aged care. Once you reach this limit, you won’t pay any further contributions.
If your financial situation changes, you can apply for hardship assistance to make sure your care and services continue without interruption.
If you were receiving a Home Care Package before moving to Support at Home, you’ll continue to pay the same or less under the new program.
To make sure your fees are accurate, it’s important to complete a means test. If income details aren’t shared, the maximum contribution rate will apply by default.
Participant Categories Under Support at Home
Everyone receiving or applying for home care is now part of the Support at Home program.
How your funding and contribution settings work will depend on when you were first approved for care
Existing Participants (Grandfathered)
If you were approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024, your current fee arrangements are protected under the no-worse-off guarantee.
You’ll continue to pay the same amount as before, or possibly less.
Transition Participants
If you were approved after 12 September 2024 but before 1 November 2025, you’ll move smoothly into the Support at Home program under the new contribution settings, which are based on your income or pension type.
New Participants
If you were approved for the first time on or after 1 November 2025, you’ll start directly under Support at Home, with the updated rules and funding structure already in place.
Not Sure Where You Fit?
If you’re unsure how the Support at Home changes affect you, we’re here to help.
Whether you’ve already been assessed or are just starting the process, Salveo HomeCare can explain what your situation means and guide you through your next steps.
Our team will help you understand your funding, your options, and how to get the most from your care, so you can feel confident and supported every step of the way.
The following stories show how different people transition into Support at Home, and how Salveo HomeCare helps each of them continue living confidently at home.
Covered by the No-Worse-Off Rule
If you were approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024, you’re protected under this rule.
Nancy is 83 and has been receiving a Level 3 Home Care Package since 2021, which supports her with nursing visits, light home maintenance, and personal care.
Because Nancy was approved for care before 12 September 2024, she is a grandfathered participant under the Support at Home program. Protected by the No-Worse-Off Rule, she continues to receive all of her services with no new fees or contributions.
Nancy’s clinical, independence, and everyday living supports remain fully funded by the government, so she continues her routine at home without any change to her costs.
Scott is 79 and has been receiving a Level 3 Home Care Package since 2021, which helps with cleaning, meal preparation, and home maintenance.
Since Scott was approved before 12 September 2024, he’s a grandfathered participant. His contribution settings remain exactly as they were under the Home Care Package program.
As a part pensioner, Scott contributes a small, fixed amount toward his Independence and Everyday Living supports, while his clinical care continues to be fully government funded.
Henry is 80 and has been receiving a Level 2 Home Care Package since 2021, which includes physiotherapy sessions, medication reminders, social visits, and household support.
Approved for care before 12 September 2024, Henry is also a grandfathered participant. Under the No-Worse-Off Rule, she keeps paying the same contribution rate she did under her previous package, there are no new assessments or additional fees.
Her government funding continues at the same level, ensuring her care remains consistent, reliable, and affordable.
Not Grandfathered
If your Home Care Package was approved after 12 September 2024 but before 1 November 2025, you’ll transition to the new Support at Home program under the standard arrangements
Helen is 86 and began receiving home care support in January 2025 after being approved for a Level 2 package.
When the Support at Home program began, Helen’s services moved across automatically, with no disruption. Her care includes help with shopping, light cleaning, and fortnightly nursing visits to manage her medication.
As a full pensioner, Helen contributes only a small amount for some of her services, around 5% for Independence supports like transport, and 17.5% for Everyday Living such as cleaning or meal preparation. Her clinical services remain fully funded by the government.
Helen’s contribution is set automatically through Services Australia, so she doesn’t have to fill out any forms or make calculations herself. Her care continues exactly as before — just with clearer funding and better visibility of her budget._edited.png)
Graham, 77, was approved for a Level 3 package in November 2024 to help after a recent surgery. His plan includes personal care, home maintenance, transport, and physiotherapy.
Under Support at Home, Graham is considered a transitioned participant, which means his contribution rate is worked out based on his income and assets. As a part pensioner, his costs are modest and automatically managed by Services Australia.
He contributes between 5–50% for Independence supports and 17.5–80% for Everyday Living services, while his clinical care is covered in full by the government._edited.png)
Evelyn, 80, manages her own superannuation. She joined home care in October 2024, just before Support at Home commenced.
Evelyn accesses regular services such as nursing care, weekly cleaning, and social outings to stay connected and independent. As a self-funded retiree, she contributes a higher portion toward her services - 50% for Independence supports and 80% for Everyday Living - while her clinical care remains fully funded.
There are no income-tested care fees under the new system, and Evelyn’s contributions are handled automatically by Services Australia. She appreciates the transparency of the new model.
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Approved for the first time on or after 1 Nov 2025
Frank, 78, recently began receiving home support after noticing that cleaning and shopping had become more difficult following a hospital stay.
Through Support at Home, he now receives regular nursing visits, help with domestic tasks, and transport to appointments. These supports allow him to stay safe and comfortable in his own home while maintaining his usual routines.
As a full pensioner, Frank contributes at the lowest rate. His clinical care is fully funded by the government, while small contributions apply to other services - 5% for Independence supports such as transport, and 17.5% for Everyday Living supports like cleaning or meal preparation.
His pension information is already held by Services Australia, so his contributions are automatically applied. Frank receives a simple monthly statement showing what services he used, what was funded, and what he contributed.
He appreciates that everything is clear, predictable, and easy to manage, giving him confidence to remain independent.
Marjorie, 83, receives a part pension and draws a small income from her superannuation. She applied for home support when she found it harder to keep up with housework and travel to appointments on her own.
She now receives cleaning assistance, transport, and physiotherapy through Support at Home. As a part pensioner, Marjorie’s contribution rate is automatically set based on her income and assets. She contributes between 5–50% for Independence supports and 17.5–80% for Everyday Living services, while her clinical care is fully government-funded.
Marjorie doesn’t need to complete any new forms unless her financial situation changes. She receives a monthly statement outlining her funding and contributions, giving her peace of mind and control over her care.
Douglas, 80, manages his own superannuation and investments. After finding daily tasks more tiring, he applied for Support at Home and now receives help with cleaning, shopping, and physiotherapy.
As a self-funded retiree, Douglas contributes at the highest tier. His clinical care remains fully funded, while he contributes 50% for Independence supports and 80% for Everyday Living services.
His contribution rate is automatically calculated by Services Australia using his existing financial information. There are no income-tested care fees, and no additional paperwork unless he applies for a hardship review.
Douglas receives regular statements showing what’s been spent and what remains available. The clear structure of Support at Home gives him transparency and confidence in managing his funding.
Statement of Rights
Under the Aged Care Act 2024, every approved provider must share a Statement of Rights.
This Statement helps you understand what you can expect when receiving care - things like being treated with respect, feeling safe, receiving quality services, and being supported with honesty and transparency.
It’s there to protect you and ensure your provider is accountable for delivering care that upholds these standards.
Support at Home – Frequently Asked Questions
Support at Home is the new government program that replaced the Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care programs. It brings all in-home aged care under one simpler, more flexible system, helping older people stay independent, healthy, and connected at home.
Anyone aged 65 or older (or 50 and older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) who needs support to live safely and independently at home can apply through My Aged Care.
Services fall into three categories - Clinical, Independence, and Everyday Living supports. These can include nursing, allied health, personal care, transport, meal preparation, home cleaning, and home maintenance.
Your funding is based on an assessment of your care needs and provided as a quarterly budget. You can adjust your services if your needs change, and unused funds can roll over into the next quarter.
The government covers the full cost of clinical care. You may contribute a small amount for Independence and Everyday Living supports depending on your pension type or income. Contribution rates are managed automatically through Services Australia.
If you were approved for a package on or before 12 September 2024, you’re considered a grandfathered participant. Your fees stay the same or may even reduce under the No-Worse-Off Rule.
You can apply for financial hardship assistance if your circumstances change. This ensures your care continues without interruption.
Start by contacting My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visiting myagedcare.gov.au to complete an assessment. Once approved, a provider can help you choose the right mix of services to suit your lifestyle and goals.
Switching to Salveo HomeCare is simple and stress-free. Once you let us know you’d like to transfer, we’ll guide you through every step, including notifying your current provider, updating My Aged Care, and setting up your new care and services.
There are no penalties or lost funds when changing providers. Your unspent balance transfers with you, so your care continues seamlessly without interruption.
We’ll handle the paperwork, you just choose when to start