Support at Home: Key Changes in Aged Care Reforms You Should Know About
The Australian Government is rolling out transformative changes to the aged care system to better serve older Australians wishing to stay in their own homes. Starting on 1 July 2025, these reforms aim to enhance your choice and ensure that the care you receive remains consistent and reliable.
What Is the Support at Home Program? (Effective 1 July 2025)
The Support at Home program will take the place of existing Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care Programs, offering a more personalized approach to meet your needs. It aims to benefit around 1.4 million Australians by 2035, helping them stay in their homes longer. The program includes:
- Clinical support: Fully funded care such as nursing and physiotherapy.
- Help with daily living: Assistance with activities like showering, dressing, and managing medications.
- Domestic support: Services like cleaning, gardening, and meal preparation, with contributions based on individual means.
The new program features eight levels of care instead of four, providing greater flexibility. This allows for care that’s better tailored to your situation, with support amounts potentially reaching up to $78,000 annually based on need.
The No Worse Off Assurance
If you are already on a Home Care Package, you will not face any increase in costs under the new program. The Government’s assurance of “no worse off” means:
- Your care costs will remain stable, so you can keep receiving the same level of support.
- Any remaining funds in your current package will carry over to the new system.
- Your contributions will not increase and may even decrease in certain cases.
Financial Commitment to Aged Care
The Government is committing:
- $4.3 billion specifically to the Support at Home initiative.
- $5.6 billion in total for aged care reform, making this the most comprehensive change in decades.
Funding and Contribution Changes
The updated program will feature:
- Full government coverage of clinical care services like nursing.
- Means-tested contributions for non-clinical services, such as household assistance, based on the Age Pension means test.
- A lifetime limit of $130,000 for non-clinical care costs, providing long-term financial certainty.
Support for Home Modifications and Equipment
For those needing home improvements or specialized equipment, the program offers:
- Up to $15,000 for home modifications, such as installing safety features like handrails.
- Quicker access to mobility aids through a new equipment loan scheme, making day-to-day life easier.
End-of-Life Comfort at Home
The program provides up to $25,000 in support during the final three months of life, enabling individuals to remain in their homes surrounded by family and friends during this important time.
Enhancing Residential Care
While much of the focus is on in-home support, improvements for residential care include:
- New measures to enhance the quality and funding of care facilities.
- Tougher regulations for providers, with penalties for non-compliance and an independent Complaints Commissioner to address concerns.
- No change in how the family home is treated for means testing, offering consistency for families.
CHSP Transition Timeline
If you currently receive services through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), these will stay in place until 1 July 2027 or beyond, before moving to the Support at Home framework. This gradual shift provides time for clients and providers to adapt.
A New Era in Aged Care
The aim of these reforms is to give you the independence, options, and support you need as you age. By investing in new programs and maintaining quality support, the Government is working towards a more sustainable and responsive aged care system.
For more information, visit the Australian Government Department of Health website or you can download the Government’s Support at Home Program Handbook here. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Home Care Assistance Sydney East if you have questions or need more details about these changes.
Ref: Australian Government Department of Health website: https://www.health.gov.au/ as at 08.10.24
