Support at
Home Program.
Support at Home Program.
What is the Support at Home Program?
The Australian Government is launching a new funding initiative, Support at Home, beginning November 1st 2025. This program will replace both the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Program. Additionally, from no earlier than 2027, the Support at Home program will also replace the Commonwealth Home Support Program, bringing all home care systems together under one name and structure.
Support at Home provides a wide range of services to help you stay well and independent at home. Based on your aged care assessment and eligibility, you’ll access a list of approved services and choose a mix that fits your needs and budget.
Under the Support At Home you will have better access to services, products, equipment and home modifications to help you remain healthy, active and socially connected.
Designed to deliver more tailored and high-quality care, Support at Home introduces a new structure aimed at better meeting individual needs. Key changes include:
- More funding levels for complex needs
- Better access to assessment and reassessments as your needs change
- The Restorative Care Pathway, to maintain and improve your independence through allied health services
- The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme for access to products, equipment and home modifications to meet your assessed needs
- The End-of-Life Pathway, with extra funding to support older people to stay at home in their last 3 months of life.
Based on your aged care assessment and eligibility, your provider will discuss with you the mix of services to meet your needs and budget.
How will the Support at Home changes effect you?
If you were approved for a Home Care Package before the 12th September 2024, key changes you will see include:
- Funding – You’ll be automatically transitioned to a Support at Home classification level that aligns to your current Home Care Package level – no reassessment needed. Additionally, you will move to the Support at Home contribution model from November 2025.
- Budget – Your annual budget will shift to a quarterly budget from November 2025.
- Unspent funds – Any unspent Home Care Package funds you may have will carry over to your Support at Home package. From November, any new unspent funds will be capped at $1,000, or 10% of your quarterly budget – whichever is greater.
Support that can be accessed through the SAH Program
Support may include:
- Clinical Supports – nursing, allied health, continence care, nutrition
- Independence – personal care, social support, respite
- Everyday living – cleaning, gardening, shopping, home repairs/maintenance, and meals
There are 8 ongoing service classifications, each with a quarterly budget based on your assessed needs. If these needs change, you can request a reassessment.
Restorative Care Pathway
The Restorative Care Pathway helps you stay independent, reduce your need for ongoing services, and support you in enjoying daily activities.
End-of-Life Pathway
The End-of-Life Pathway helps you remain at home during your final three months of life. You can be referred for a high-priority Support Plan Review, even if you’re not already in Support at Home.
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme
The AT-HM scheme provides access to products, equipment, and home modifications to meet your assessed needs. You can use this funding over 12 months, with more available for specific needs.
Care Management
Care management helps you get the best outcomes from your aged care services. If you receive ongoing services, 10% of your quarterly budget goes to your provider for care management—this applies even if you self-manage some or all services.
- Care planning – Assessing your needs, setting goals, developing and reviewing your care
- Service coordination – Managing communication, budgets, and transitions between care settings
- Monitoring & review – Tracking your needs, evaluating outcomes, and addressing risks
- Support & education – Helping you make informed decisions, access resources, provide feedback, and navigate the system
Am I eligible?
The SAH program is for Australian residents or citizens over 65 years of age or, an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander over 50.
You may be eligible if you have:
- noticed a change in what you can do or remember
- been diagnosed with a medical condition or reduced mobility
- experienced a change in family care arrangements, or
- experienced a recent fall or hospital admission.
To find out if you are eligible for services, the first step is to have an assessment. Assessments are done in person, usually at your own home.
How to enter the support at home program
If you are not already receiving services through My Aged Care, the first step is to check your eligibility for an assessment. You can do this online at www.myagedcare.gov.au, or by calling 1800 200 422.
If your application is successful, you will be referred for an assessment. Assessments are done in person, at your own home.
When assessed as eligible for the Support at Home program, you will receive a Notice of Decision letter and an individual support plan to share with your provider. This will contain:
- a summary of your aged care needs and goals
- a classification with an associated ongoing quarterly budget and a list of your approved services; and/or
- an approval for short-term supports, which may include funding for:
- Assistive Technology
- Home Modifications
- Restorative Care Pathway
- End-of-Life Pathway.
Contributions, Classifications & Budgeting
Support at Home is designed to be fair and sustainable, with tailored care based on your needs.
- You only pay for the services you receive
- Clinical care (e.g. nursing, physiotherapy) is fully government-funded, with no cost to you
- Contribution rates are based on an income and asset assessment, similar to the age pension means test
Use the fee estimator at: MyAgedCare.gov.au/support-at-home#fee-estimator
Your classification is set during your aged care assessment and determines your eligibility and quarterly budget
Unspent funds can carry over each quarter — up to $1,000 or 10% (whichever is greater)
Assistive Technology & Home Modifications (AT-HM) funding is separate and provided over a longer timeframe if approved.
Take a look at our fees below.
Aged Care Price List
Schedule of current service pricing per hour of service.
Clients will have their approved services assessed and outlined in their care plan/budget.
| Standard Rate / Per Hour | Evening Rate (8pm to 6am) Per Hour | Saturday Rate / Per Hour | Sunday Rate / Per Hour | Public Holiday / Per Hour | Care Management | $140.00 | - | - | - | - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Care | $115.00 | $126.50 | $162.15 | $208.15 | $255.30 |
| Social and Community | $115.00 | $126.50 | $162.15 | $208.15 | $255.30 |
| Respite | $115.00 | $126.50 | $162.15 | $208.15 | $255.30 |
| Domestic Assistance | $115.00 | $126.50 | $162.15 | $208.15 | $255.30 |
| Direct Transport | $115.00 | $126.50 | $162.15 | $208.15 | $255.30 |
| Nursing Care Services | $137.50 | $151.25 | $193.88 | $248.88 | $305.25 |
- External suppliers known as “associated providers” may charge a higher hourly rate, and this will need to be agreed with you before services commence.
- All Interchange Australia services are charged at a minimum of 30 minutes.
Upcoming changes to fees
From October 1st, 2026, the following hourly rates will apply for transportation above 30km per hour of service.
SCHADS award Transport Cost = $1.01/km × Average Distance
Total Cost = Transport Cost + Worker Cost
| Distance Range (km) | We will charge an average distance of km/hour | Transport Cost ($) Per KM | Additional Transport Costs ($) | Support Service Base Rate Per Hour | New Suppot Service Base Rate Per Hour (Inc. kms) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZONE 1 | 31 - 50 | 10 | $1.01 | $10.10 | $115 | $125.10 |
| ZONE 2 | 51 - 70 | 30 | $1.01 | $30.30 | $115 | $145.30 |
| ZONE 3 | 71 - 90 | 50 | $1.01 | $50.50 | $115 | $165.50 |
| ZONE 4 | 91 - 110 | 70 | $1.01 | $70.70 | $115 | $185.70 |
If you have any questions about the new pricing or would like to discuss how these changes may affect your services, please contact our office on (02) 4868 6688. Our team will be happy to assist you.
PURPOSE
These Guidelines explain how services are delivered and billed when using Interchange Australia Pty Lltd employees or associated providers for in-home care and support. They outline the approach to pricing, client contributions, and how services are coordinated to ensure your
care needs are met.
Our goal is to provide you with high-quality, coordinated support that is tailored to your needs, giving you the information, tools, and services you require to live well and safely at home. This includes care management, coordination of clinical and everyday living services, and ongoing
communication and education to help you make informed choices.
STATEMENTS AND INVOICING
Services you receive will continue to be charged against your SAH budget and invoiced to Services Australia following delivery. You will receive a monthly statement showing:
- The date of service and number of service units/hours delivered;
- A clear description of the services provided;
- The price charged for each service;
- The government contribution;
- The client contribution and/or any GAP amounts to be invoiced.
CLIENT CONTRIBUTIONS AND GAP CHARGES
Under the Support at Home program, some services may attract a client contribution (co-contribution). This is assessed by Services Australia based on your income and assets.
GAP charges apply if the full cost of a service exceeds your allocated Support at Home budget, or if you choose services outside your package that incur additional fees.
REVIEW OF FEES CHARGED
Clinical Supports: Do not attract a client contribution = 0%
Independence: service categories may attract a client contribution of between 5% – 80%
Everyday Living: services may attract a client contribution of between 5% – 80%
Care Management: 10% of a client’s quarterly Support at Home budget is automatically
allocated to care management activities and paid to Interchange Australia to ensure appropriate planning, coordination, and review of your services.
Care management includes a combination of direct and indirect activities, and will vary depending on your individual needs.
Care management may include:
- Helping you plan and review your care and budget;
- Organising and coordinating your services and supports;
- Regular check-ins with you, including face-to-face visits, phone calls or emails;
- Talking with your family, carers or other providers (if you want them involved);
- Arranging referrals to other services or supports;
- Working with health professionals through case conferences, if needed;
- Helping organise equipment or assistive technology;
- Keeping records and managing documentation and reporting;
- Monitoring your budget and services to make sure everything stays on track;
- Sharing education and support through a quarterly newsletter, keeping you informed and empowered;
- Giving you information so you can make informed choices;
- Helping to keep you safe and supported at home.
SERVICE TIME AND CANCELLATIONS
Please note that Care Management requires a minimum of 15 minutes per month to ensure your care and support needs are met.
If a scheduled service is cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice, the full-service fee will apply.
THRD-PARTY INVOICES AND ADDITIONAL CHARGES
Occasionally, we may arrange goods or services from third-party suppliers on your behalf, such as Assistive Technology (AT) or Home Modifications (HM). You will only be charged the actual cost invoiced by the supplier for these items or services.
Administration and coordination fees for AT and HM are capped to keep costs fair:
- Assistive Technology: up to 10% of the item cost or $500, whichever is lower
- Home Modifications: up to 15% of the item cost or $1,500, whichever is lower
Change to personal care contributions from 1 October 2026
What is changing?
From 1 October 2026, the Australian Government will fully fund approved personal care services under Support at Home.
If you are approved for personal care services in your support plan and have available Support at Home funds, you will no long pay contributions for personal care services delivered from 1 October 2026. Personal care services will continue to be funded from your available ongoing budget
Personal care included support with daily tasks such as;
- Showering
- Non-clinical continence management
- Dressing
- Eating
- Personal hygiene
- Assistance with self-administration of medication.
What is not changing?
- Your eligibility for personal care services is not changing.
- Your provider, care workers and existing care arrangements will stay the same.
- Contributions for other Support at Home services are not changing.
- If you are already approved for personal care services, you do not need a reassessment because of this change.
- Contributions will still apply to personal care services delivered before 1 October 2026, even if they are claimed after that date.
Do you needed to do anything?
You do not need to do anything now. The change will happen automatically.
Before 1 October 2026, we may contact you to update documents such as your service agreement, care plan, budget, statement or invoices.
Need support or more information?
If you have any questions about your personal care services or would like to discuss your care plan or budget, please contact your account manager or Interchange Australia Aged Care Operations Manager Sam Conlon on 02 4868 6688.
You can also seek advice via the below
- Visit the My Aged Care website https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/news-and-updates/support-home-personal-care-contribution-changes
- Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422
- Ask for help from an aged care advocate, like the Older Persons Advocacy Network https://opan.org.au/
- Ask a trusted family member, friend or care partner for support.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Support at Home Program, please contact us on 1300 112 334 to speak to one of our friendly Support at Home experts!
Resources
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