Find a Clinic

Support at Home information and updates

Did you know that upcoming changes to government funding for home care packages may mean you could be eligible for support to access high-quality allied health services from home?

What is the Support at Home Program?

Starting 1 July 2025, the Support at Home Program is a landmark reform in aged care which will replace the Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs.

The program aims to create a simplified, equitable system that enables older Australians to receive personalised care services based on their individual needs.

The focus is on maintaining independence, promoting early intervention, and providing higher levels of care for individuals with complex needs with services such as allied health, personal care, assistive technology, and home modifications.

This transition to a unified program ensures a seamless experience for participants, offering better access to services and clearer guidelines for care providers.

Summary of key changes

One of the most transformative features of the new program is that allied health services, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics, and exercise physiology, will now be fully funded by the government.

Under current systems, participants could pay out-of-pocket contributions for these services, which can deter many from accessing essential care.

The Support at Home Program eliminates this financial barrier, ensuring that everyone has access to high-quality, clinically supervised care.

By focusing on prevention and management of health conditions, this change is expected to improve overall health outcomes and reduce hospitalisations and residential care admissions.

The program introduces a separate funding scheme for Assistive Technology (AT) and Home Modifications (HM).

Previously, participants had to use their aged care packages to pay for items like mobility aids, grab rails, or ramps, which limited the funds available for other services.

Under the Support at Home Program, dedicated funding of up to $15,000 annually (based on assessed needs) will be available for these items.

AT includes equipment like walkers, wheelchairs, and communication devices, while HM covers structural changes like ramps or accessible bathrooms.

This ensures that funds in care packages can now be used solely for allied health and daily living support.

The government plans to release the AT-HM funding list in early 2025, along with price guidelines in February 2025.

This separate funding ensures faster access to equipment, promoting safety and independence.

Navigating aged care services can be overwhelming, particularly with multiple assessment pathways for different programs.

The Support at Home Program introduces a Single Assessment System, which will use the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) to streamline the process.

This system will provide a consistent and transparent framework for determining eligibility and classifying funding levels.

It ensures that older Australians receive care based on their needs, rather than navigating the complexity of multiple assessments.

Participants will receive an individualised support plan outlining their approved services, goals, and funding, ensuring clarity and reducing delays.

This new approach benefits both participants and care providers by eliminating redundancy and improving coordination.

Under the new program, participants will receive their funding in quarterly budgets.

This structure offers predictable funding to help manage care services more effectively throughout the year.

A significant improvement is the ability to roll over limited unspent funds—up to $1,000 or 10% of the quarterly budget (whichever is higher)—to the next quarter.

This flexibility means participants can accommodate unexpected needs, such as extra personal care or transportation when their informal carer is unavailable.

It also reduces the risk of funds being wasted due to timing issues, as participants can plan ahead without losing access to unused budgets.

By providing this balance of predictability and flexibility, the program empowers participants to tailor their care to their changing circumstances.

The new Restorative Care Pathway builds on the existing Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) program by increasing access and duration.

Previously limited to 8 weeks, restorative care will now be available for up to 12 weeks, with funding of approximately $6,000 per episode.

In cases requiring additional support, the funding can double to $12,000.

Restorative care focuses on intensive allied health services aimed at helping participants regain independence.

This might include physiotherapy, exercise programs, or occupational therapy to address functional decline.

Participants will work with a restorative care partner to set goals and develop a tailored plan.

This pathway is particularly valuable for individuals recovering from illness or injury, providing them with the resources to stay independent at home rather than moving into residential care.

The End-of-Life Care Pathway is a new initiative within the Support at Home Program, designed to meet the needs of individuals with a life expectancy of three months or less.

It provides up to $25,000 over a three-month period to support participants who wish to remain at home during their final months.

Services under this pathway include personal care, meal preparation, and assistance with daily living.

Unlike other classifications, funding in this pathway can be used more flexibly to accommodate urgent needs.

Participants will also have access to assistive technology and home modifications to enhance their comfort and safety.

By enabling individuals to spend their final days surrounded by family in a familiar environment, the pathway supports dignity and quality of life at the end of life.

Under the current system, participants can face long delays to access assistive technology and home modifications, as they need to save up individual care budgets or wait for assessments.

The new program eliminates this barrier by providing immediate access to funding for AT and HM.

Items such as walkers, shower chairs, and grab rails will be funded upfront based on assessed needs, ensuring participants receive support as soon as possible.

This change is critical for safety, as it reduces fall risks and enhances mobility, allowing participants to live independently without unnecessary delays.

Please note this information is accurate at the time of publication however please refer to the Support at Home Program website for the most up to date information.

Additional resources about Support at Home:

How these changes might affect you

If you’re already receiving home care support, you may be wondering what this means for your ongoing services, costs, and provider choice.

Here’s what we know so far:

  • Current services will continue during the transition – The government has assured that no one will lose access to their current care arrangements immediately. There will be a transition period to ensure that people continue receiving support while moving into the new system.
  • More individualised funding and support – The new model aims to tailor services more precisely to what you need. This could mean greater flexibility in choosing support options rather than being locked into a set package level with allocated funds.
  • Changes to how services are billed – The funding structure will shift to a more fee-for-service model, ensuring that people only pay for the services they actually use. However, details on how these payments will be structured and what costs (if any) will be passed onto clients are still being finalised.

What can you do to prepare?

  • Stay informed – Keep up to date with official government announcements and changes through your provider.
  • Talk to your provider – At Lifecare Homecare, we are working with your provider to ensure a smooth transition and can help you understand how these changes will impact your care.
  • Plan ahead – If you’re considering adjustments to your care plan, it may be worth discussing your future needs now to ensure a seamless transition when the changes take effect.

If you do not yet receive home care support, but intend to start enquiries soon these changes may have limited impact on you.

We do, however, strongly recommend you commence the initial eligibility assessment as soon as possible as the process can be lengthy.

How to access government-funded homecare support:

  • Reach out to My Aged Care: Begin by contacting My Aged Care either through their website or by calling the national contact centre on 1800 200 422 to express the need for home care services.
  • Undergo an initial phone screening: Provide details about health, daily living requirements, and the type of assistance needed during the preliminary phone screening with My Aged Care.
  • Assessment by an Aged Care Team: An in-person assessment will be arranged with the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) to evaluate care needs and eligibility.
  • Approval for care: Upon qualifying, an approval letter will be issued which outlines the approved level of care.
  • Choose a Provider: Once approved, a selection can be made from a list of approved home care providers, such as Lifecare Homecare.
  • Care Plan development: Work with the chosen provider to create a customised care plan that meets all required care needs.
  • Navigating the waiting period: Be aware of any waiting times that may apply before home care services can start, and consider arranging for interim services if immediate support is necessary.

How we can help

The Lifecare Homecare team are here to help you navigate these changes and get the assistance that you need.

We will come to you, evaluate your requirements, create a tailored therapy plan, and deliver one-on-one therapy sessions in the comfort of your own environment.

For information about how we can assist you with your home care requirements please get in touch below or our friendly team are available on 08 9424 0200.

Our highly experienced team support independent living for older people.

Our services include:

  • Physiotherapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Exercise physiology
  • Podiatry
  • Dietetics
  • Lymphoedema services

Enquire now

Use the form to send an enquiry, or click here to send a referral for your client, family member, or yourself.

    I would like to understand more about Lifecare Homecare and how it can support me with my home care requirements:

    First name *

    Last name *

    Phone *

    Email *

    Address *

    Do you have a current home support package?

    Message

    click below to send us a referral for your client, family member or yourself
    Send a referral

    Frequently asked questions

    Firstly, one of our practitioners takes the time to listen to your story and get to know you.

    We want to understand what you need assistance with and what your goals are.

    The next step is to explain how we can help you achieve those goals.

    Then we make an assessment, which includes some questions, and, depending on the service, could include an assessment of your environment, and/or some functional tests.

    Next, the practitioner will explain a proposed plan of action, and if it’s agreeable, we put it into action.

    Our mobile therapists deliver in-home services throughout the greater Perth and Mandurah areas.

    Most of our services are available without waitlists, ensuring that you receive care promptly and efficiently.

    We provide assistance to individuals aged 18 and above, including older adults and adults with disabilities, with a range of clinical conditions and functional limitations.

    Learn more about Homecare

    Learn more