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Support at Home
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Support at Home
About the Support at Home Program
- 8 new classification levels and associated funding.
- More funding for those with complex needs.
- Clearer assessment and reassessment pathways to meet your changing needs.
- A restorative care pathway to improve and restore independence.
- Specific funding for assistive technology and home modifications.
- Additional funding to support older people in their last 3 months of life.
What has changed?
As of 1 November 2025, Australia’s aged care system transitioned to a new model called Support at Home.
This replaces the previous:
- Home Care Packages (HCP) program
- Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) program.
Under this program, funding moved from the 4 previous Home Care Package levels, to 8 Support at Home. Classifications, as follows:
Client Types
From November 2025, everyone receiving or applying for home support will be part of the new Support at Home program.
Clients fall into three groups, depending on when they were first approved:Â
Grandfathered clients
If you were approved on or before 12 September 2024 your contribution arrangements are protected by the no worse off rule. You will pay the same as before, or less.
Transitioned clients (not grandfathered)
If you were approved after 12 September 2024 but before 1 November 2025 you will move across to Support at Home on the new contribution settings, based on your pension or income status.
New clients
If you were approved for the first time on or after 1 November 2025 you will start directly in Support at Home under the new rules.
If you were previously accessing the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program, you will move to Support at Home and keep the same level of funding to access services from the service list. You can be re-assessed to a higher classification level in the Support at Home program if your needs change.
Based on your aged care assessment and eligibility, your Pearl Home Care team will discuss with you the range of services to best meet your needs and budget. You will be supported to choose the mix of services you can access within your budget, including support for:
- Clinical care, such as nursing care, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
- Independence, such as help with personal care, taking medications, transport and social support.
- Everyday living, such as home maintenance, shopping or meal assistance.
Learn more about the Support at Home Program via the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission here.
Additional short term funding pathways
1. Assistive Technology and Home Modifications Scheme
Through the new AT-HM scheme, you can receive funding to help you get the products, equipment and home modifications you need, to help you keep living at home. This funding is based on your assessment. It doesn’t come out of your ongoing Support at Home budget.
2. Restorative Care Pathway
The Restorative Care Pathway provides short-term funding for intensive allied health or nursing. You can use this service to help you get back or keep day-to-day functioning and prevent decline.
3. End-of-Life Pathway
The End-of-Life Pathway provides more care and services if you have 3 months or less to live, and want to stay in your home.
What This Means for You
- More choice & control: You’ll have a more flexible budget and can decide how to use it for different kinds of care.
- Improved independence: With better access to assistive technology and home modifications, you can live more safely and comfortably.
- Better support in difficult times: Whether you're recovering from illness or facing end-of-life, there’s a clear pathway for extra help.
- Financial certainty: Protections like the lifetime cap and regulated fee structures help make costs more manageable.
Pearl Home Care will help You with
Individualised care plans to suit your needs
Ongoing communication
Transparency in all aspects of care
Quality Consumer Advisory Board
Additional short term funding pathways
1. Assistive Technology and Home Modifications Scheme
Through the new AT-HM scheme, you can receive funding to help you get the products, equipment and home modifications you need, to help you keep living at home. This funding is based on your assessment. It doesn’t come out of your ongoing Support at Home budget.
2. Restorative Care Pathway
The Restorative Care Pathway provides short-term funding for intensive allied health or nursing. You can use this service to help you get back or keep day-to-day functioning and prevent decline.
3. End-of-Life Pathway
The End-of-Life Pathway provides more care and services if you have 3 months or less to live, and want to stay in your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Support at Home
Support at Home is the Australian Government’s new aged care program, starting 1 November 2025. It combines and simplifies the existing Home Care Package Program. The aim is to make it easier to access the right services when you need them.
If you are already receiving services, you will be set up directly under Support at Home when it begins. You will be automatically transferred.
No. Your current care and support will continue. Any changes will be carefully planned with you so your services continue to meet your needs under the
new system.
The types of services available are set by the Government. Within these, your Care Partner will work with you to choose services that best meet your goals and needs.
A Care Partner is a staff member who will work with you to plan your care. They will make sure your budget is used in the best way to support your health, independence, and wellbeing.
Fees and Contributions
From 12 September 2024, all new approvals for care packages are assessed under the Support at Home rules. This includes income-based co-contributions if Services Australia determines you are required to contribute. This ensures fairness and consistency for all new clients entering the system.
No. If you were already receiving services before 12 September 2024, your existing income-tested care fees will continue to apply. You will not pay more than what Services Australia has already assessed for you unless your financial circumstances change and you receive a new assessment.
Your contribution depends on your income. Services Australia assesses this and will tell you what, if anything, you need to pay. If you already have an income assessment, this will continue. Your contribution will be collected by your Pearl Home Care provider.
Yes. If Services Australia assesses you to pay income-tested fees, this will continue under Support at Home.
Yes. You can always review your services with your Care Partner to prioritise what matters most to you. Different services have different co-contribution rates. Clinical services are exempt from co-contributions.
Under Support at Home, the billable hourly rate may look higher than before. This is because it now includes all the costs of delivering your care – administration, supervision, travel, insurance, and training. This creates greater transparency so you can clearly see the full cost of your care.
Budgets and Agreements
Yes. You will have a clear new budget under Support at Home that shows the total funds available, including any contributions you make. The focus will be on fully using your budget to support your care needs. Instead of a budget provided once a year, your care money will be given in three monthly blocks.
Under Support at Home, the focus is on utilisation of your full budget. You can roll over up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget, whichever is greater, into the next quarter to cover additional needs.
Any funds you currently have unspent (saved) will remain available to you for your ongoing support.
Yes. You will receive a new agreement under Support at Home. It will clearly explain your budget, your services, and your rights and responsibilities.
Services and Care Planning
Yes. Your Care Partner will review your needs regularly. If they change, you can request extra support or a reassessment to make sure your care meets your needs.
Registered Providers have a responsibility to ensure you receive the services that best support your health and wellbeing. Clinical services (like nursing, allied health, or monitoring health conditions) help keep you safe and independent at home.
It’s about supporting you to stay independent for as long as possible. This might include short-term help to regain skills, therapy programs, or equipment that makes daily tasks easier.
Services can include:
- Personal care (showering, grooming, dressing)
- Domestic assistance (cleaning, laundry, shopping)
- Transport and community access
- Nursing and allied health (e.g. physiotherapy, podiatry)
- Social support and companionship
- Meal preparation and nutrition support
- Aids, equipment, and home modifications
Yes. If you need it, a separate budget will be available for home modifications and assistive technology. This is designed to support you to remain safe and independent in your home. If you have accrued unspent funds under your existing Home Care Package, you can utilise these.
Extra Common Questions
No. You will continue to have a Care Coordinator who knows you and supports your care planning. Under the Support at Home Program this is referred to as a Care Partner.
No. The focus of Support at Home is to continue supporting your needs. Any adjustments will be discussed with you, and no one will have services taken away without consultation.
Your Care Partner will review your services with you regularly - at least once a quarter, or sooner if your needs change.
Case management fees will be 10% of your budget and Services Australia will monitor this in a separate account to your budget. Your supports will remain the same.
Will I Have to Pay Any Additional Costs?
Why Choose Pearl Home Care
When it comes to finding a reliable home care provider in Australia, families and individuals turn to Pearl Home Care for professional, affordable, and compassionate support. Backed by decades of aged care experience, we offer services that are guided by strong values, personalised care, and local commitment.
What Sets Us Apart
The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights outlines the rights that clients, or someone that they care for, can expect when receiving health care. These rights are designed to ensure that all individuals are treated with respect and dignity when receiving care.
- Diversity and inclusion – we are here to help everyone, no matter their background, and will do everything we can to support you or your loved one to feel included, supported, connected and cared for, regardless of religion, race, gender or sexuality.
- Affordability and flexibility - we offer affordable and flexible at-home care plans, with no lock-in contracts, so that home care can be as accessible to as many Australians as possible.
- Flexible and tailored packages and plans - ageing comes with its own set of challenges, and the last thing we want to do is add to your concerns. That’s why our packages are designed to be simple, flexible and tailored to your needs as they change.
With Pearl Home Care, you are not only guaranteed competitive rates but also:
No sign-up fees
Value for money
No hidden charges
No lock in contracts
Our Services
Pearl Home Care’s In-Home Supports
Staying independent in the home
Support to be social & access the community
In-home Nursing Care
Trusted In-Home Care, Delivered with Dignity and Respect
We are highly qualified professionals with a passion for caring
Pearl Home Care provides trusted, professional in-home aged care (under Support at Home and private pay) and disability care (under the NDIS) to more than 3500 clients across Australia. We’re a national network of locally-owned teams, committed to helping individuals live safely, independently and comfortably in their own homes - with the respect, dignity and personal attention they deserve.
Care Where You Live, Support You Can Trust
Support at home
Everyone’s needs are different, but the comfort of home is universal. Pearl Home Care offers tailored support that comes to you, so you or your loved one can remain in familiar surroundings while receiving the care you need. From assistance with every day activities to specialised support, our locally based teams are here to help you live well, your way.
Speak with Someone Who Understands
Making decisions about care can be challenging—but you’re not alone. At Pearl Home Care, we offer personalised advice that’s thoughtful, clear, and grounded in real understanding. Contact your local Pearl Home Care for an obligation FREE, in-home assessment and care plan estimate.
