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Posted: 15th May 2025
As we approach the implementation of the Support at Home program on 1st July 2025, many providers and clients are asking:
What types of services will be available? and How much will clients need to contribute?
To help clarify, services under Support at Home are grouped into three broad categories: Clinical Supports, Independence Supports, and Everyday Living Supports. Each has its own funding and contribution rules based on a client’s income and pension status.
In order to be able to be eligible to receive certain services, these services must be outlined in the Notice of Decision and Support Plan – participants are not automatically eligible for all services on the list.
Transitioned clients refer to clients who, on 12th September 2024, were either:
Transitioned clients who have not been reassessed under Support at Home are eligible to access any service on the Support at Home service list, provided it meets their needs.
If a transitioned client undergoes a reassessment, they will receive a Notice of Decision and a Support Plan outlining the approved Support at Home services that they are eligible to receive.
Under Support at Home, a client contribution refers to the amount a client may be asked to pay toward the cost of their care and services. This replaces what was previously known as the Income-Tested Fee (ITF) under the Home Care Package (HCP) program. The new approach aims to simplify the system while ensuring clients contribute to their care based on their financial capacity.
Contribution percentages are set by Services Australia via an Income Assessment. A brief overview of client contributions is below - read on for more detail.
| Income and assets assessment outcome | Clinical supports | Independence | Everyday living |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full pensioner | 0% | 5% | 17,5% |
| Part pensioner OR self-funded CHSC holder | 0% | 5-50% | 17,5-80% |
| Self-funded non CHSC holder OR those who do not disclose income | 0% | 50% | 80% |
*Contributions applied on a tapered rate based on the participant’s income and assets assessment.
Under Support at Home, there are three categories of services:
Good news for clients: Clinical supports are fully funded under Support at Home. That means no matter a person’s income or assets, they will not be asked to contribute to the cost of clinical services.
These supports include essential care such as:
These services are typically delivered by regulated professionals and are designed to meet complex health needs. Some exclusions and eligibility rules apply depending on the service.
Independence supports are aimed at helping older people manage daily tasks and stay active in their communities. These supports require client contributions, with rates ranging from 5% to 50% depending on a person’s income and pension status.
Key services include:
The goal here is to keep clients living independently at home for as long as possible, while sharing costs fairly based on financial capacity.
This category covers services that help maintain a clean, safe, and liveable home. Because these supports are considered less clinical in nature, client contributions are generally higher - ranging from 17.5% to 80%, again based on income and pension status.
These services include:
It’s important to note that while these supports are still subsidised, clients who are self-funded or partially funded may pay a larger share compared to other categories.
Important notes for clients and providers
If you’re unsure how your current services will be affected or how your contributions will change, now is the time to prepare. For providers, this may include reviewing client income status, updating service offerings, and training staff on new pricing structures.
For full service definitions, contribution thresholds, and eligibility guidance, visit the Support at Home Program Manual (May 2025) and the Support at Home service list.
Please note that this information is current as of time of writing, and is subject to change without notice.
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