No more out-of-pocket costs for personal care from 1 October

From 1 October 2026, approved personal care services under Support at Home have no out-of-pocket costs - the biggest change to Support at Home since it launched in November 2025.

Importantly, you must have personal care approved in your support plan and available funding to spend on it.

Most people think personal care services only cover showering, but there's so much more - which we'll explore in this blog.

Want the changes explained in one place? Our updated Quick Guide covers personal care, service categories and how Support at Home funding works.

What is changing on October 1, and what does it mean for you?

From 1 October, personal care moves into the Clinical Supports category for contribution purposes.

That means the government covers the full service cost through your available Support at Home funding, without you paying a personal contribution.

If you already receive approved personal care, you don't need another assessment simply because the contribution rules are changing, although your provider may contact you to update your paperwork.

The Australian Government’s explanation of the change confirms that the services themselves remain the same. What changes is the amount you personally pay for them.

What can personal care help with, beyond showering?

Personal care can provide support with getting changed, personal grooming, eating and other essential routines. 

Depending on your assessed needs and plan, personal care may include:

• Help with dressing, shoes and fasteners.
• Showering, bathing, grooming and oral hygiene.
• Toileting and non-clinical continence support.
• Getting in and out of bed or transferring during personal care.
• Hands-on assistance with eating and drinking.
• Medication prompts and reminders to support self-administration.

These everyday tasks are worth mentioning to your care partner, even if you have been managing around the difficulty for a while.

Explaining what is becoming harder can open up a more useful conversation about support.

Could you receive more personal care?

You can ask to review your services, especially if you previously declined help because of the contribution. Your care partner can check what is approved and work through the options with you.

Personal care still comes from your Support at Home budget, so additional visits need to fit your available funding.

Ask what a proposed schedule would look like alongside the other services you use.

It's also worth checking which type of help you need. Assistance eating a prepared meal can be personal care; cooking that meal is a different service. Cleaning, gardening and transport have their own contribution arrangements, which this change does not remove.

How do you take the next step?

Your Support at Home provider should be keeping you in the loop about changes to the system that affect you. 

If you're not receiving personal care and think you could benefit, reach out to your provider and ask if they could talk to you about the process. 

If you're currently waiting for funding but your needs have changed, reach out to My Aged Care and ask to be assessed for personal care services. 

And of course, we're always here to help you incase you need some specific information on your situation - or you'd be interested in changing to a provider that can keep you updated on the system.

What else might you want to know?

Does this include self-funded retirees?

Yes. From 1 October 2026, self-funded retirees can receive approved personal care without a participant contribution when Support at Home funding is available.

Contributions may still apply to other services. Your provider can help you understand what the change means for your own mix of care.

Do I have to switch providers?

No. The personal care contribution change applies across Support at Home providers, so you can stay with your current provider. If you want to adjust your services, start that conversation with your care partner and ask them to explain your options, approval and available funding.

Will earlier personal care payments be refunded?

The change applies to personal care delivered from 1 October 2026, so contributions for earlier services are not refunded. If an invoice arrives after October begins, check the dates of the visits it covers. My Aged Care explains how the transition works.

Is this the same for people receiving CHSP services?

This change relates to the Support at Home program. If your care is funded through the Commonwealth Home Support Program, ask your provider about the contribution arrangements that apply to you. Similar services can be offered through different programs, but their funding rules are not necessarily the same.

Want to understand what this could mean for your care?

Our updated Support at Home Quick Guide brings the personal care changes and the broader program information together. You can see the types of support available, understand the service categories and prepare questions about your own funding.

Download a copy to read at home or share with someone helping you make decisions.