The Australian Government is set to launch the Support At Home program on 1 November 2025, which will take the place of the existing Home Care Package and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs.
As with any significant change, myths and misunderstandings can easily arise. To help you feel assured and well-informed about the upcoming changes, we are dispelling 10 of the most common myths we've seen floating around.
Fact: Starting now could save you money in the long run.
If you began receiving services under the current system before 12 September 2024, you’ll be what’s called a ‘grandfathered participant’. That means you’ll keep your existing fee arrangements when Support at Home rolls out.
This includes paying no fees at all, if that’s your situation now. Anyone approved after that date will transition under the new rules, which require co-contributions based on income and services used.
Delaying could mean missing out on this protection.
Fact: Unspent funds will move with you into the new system.
There’s no need to rush. If you have a balance in your Home Care Package, it won’t disappear. It will carry over when you transition to Support at Home. While the new system won’t allow ongoing accumulation of unused funds, everything you’ve saved up to now is safe and can be used as needed.
Fact: Many people will pay the same, or even less.
Anyone approved for a Home Care Package before 12 September 2024, will be grandfathered. That means your fees won’t increase under the new program.
In some cases, you may even see a reduction. If you’re approved after that date, fees will depend on your income level. The aim is fairness and consistency, not higher charges.
Fact: Monthly care management will still happen, and with more focus.
Care Managers will continue to provide regular support under Support at Home, with an emphasis on structured, goal-based interactions. While there may be clearer definitions around what those check-ins include, the purpose remains the same: to help you stay safe and well at home.
At Homewell, we expect these conversations to be more impactful and more personalised than ever.
Fact: You may actually receive more support for these needs.
Under Support at Home, funding for home modifications and assistive technology will come from dedicated new streams, not your general care budget.
This means you may be eligible for up to $15,000 for home safety improvements, and another $15,000 for assistive technology or equipment, depending on your situation. These changes give older Australians more access to tools that support independence.
Fact: Budgets will be managed quarterly, not monthly.
Support at Home introduces quarterly budgeting, giving you more flexibility. For example, you might spend more one month and less the next without penalty. You’ll also be able to roll over up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly funding into the next period, allowing for changes in care needs.
Fact: Grandfathered participants keep their protections, even with a package upgrade.
Your fee status won’t change if you move to a higher package level. If you’re not paying fees now, you still won’t pay them later. If you are, your costs won’t increase. For people approved after the September cut-off, funding upgrades will still provide more services, with co-contributions based on income and type of care.
Fact: Reducing delays is one of the key goals of Support at Home.
At the moment, it’s not uncommon for people to wait 12 to 15 months for high-level care packages. Support at Home is being designed to fix that. According to the Australian Department of Health, the government is working towards reducing wait times to an average of three months by July 2027 through better funding models and prioritisation systems (Department of Health).
Fact: You’ll still have plenty of choice, just in new categories.
Support at Home will group services into categories like Clinical, Daily Living, and Independence, but that doesn’t mean less flexibility. In fact, there’s still a wide range of options available, including hydrotherapy, allied health, tech support, social outings, assisted shopping, and more. Your Care Manager will help build a care plan tailored to your preferences.
Fact: Good providers are already helping people prepare.
While some final details are still being confirmed, the major features of the program - including rules for grandfathered and transitional participants - have been publicly released.
At Homewell, we’ve already developed resources and support materials to help you understand your options. If your provider hasn’t mentioned Support at Home yet, it might be time for a second opinion.