Home Care Packages are being replaced by the Support at Home program.
Home Care Packages have been replaced by the Australian Government’s new Support at Home program, which represents a major reform to in-home aged care in Australia. Support at Home brings together existing government-funded aged care services, including Home Care Packages and other in-home supports, into a single, simpler, and more flexible system.
The program is designed to improve access to home care services, reduce long waiting times, and provide greater transparency around care and funding. Rather than relying on fixed package levels, Support at Home focuses on an individual’s assessed needs to determine the type and level of support provided. This personalised approach aims to help older Australians remain living safely and independently at home for longer, with care that can adapt as their needs change over time.
Home Care Packages are being replaced to address ongoing challenges within the previous aged care system, including complex administration, long waiting times for approved packages, and limited flexibility when an individual’s care needs change. Many older Australians experienced delays in accessing appropriate home care services, making it difficult to receive timely support.
The new Support at Home program aims to simplify access to in-home aged care, improve transparency around funding and services, and create a more responsive system that can better adapt to changing care needs over time.
The Support at Home program replaces Home Care Packages as the primary government-funded in-home aged care program in Australia. It represents a more flexible and responsive approach, designed to better meet the individual needs of older Australians living at home.
Unlike the previous system of fixed package levels, Support at Home focuses on assessed needs to determine the type and level of support provided. This ensures care is personalised, adaptable, and aligned with each person’s changing requirements over time.
People currently receiving a Home Care Package will move to the new Support at Home program over time.
People currently receiving a Home Care Package will move to the Support at Home program when it commences.
Transitional arrangements are designed to ensure individuals continue receiving support without interruption.
Recipients can maintain access to in-home services while the transition takes place.
The transition process will follow government policy and consider each individual’s unique circumstances.
Home Care Packages will be gradually phased out as the Australian Government introduces the Support at Home program. The transition is designed to ensure continuity of care for older Australians while creating a more flexible and personalised in-home aged care system.
The timing of the transition will vary depending on government implementation schedules and individual circumstances. Recipients and their families will be provided with up-to-date information throughout the process to stay informed, plan ahead, and make the move to Support at Home as smooth and seamless as possible.
While both programs support people to live at home, Support at Home changes how care is assessed, delivered, and adjusted over time.
| Home Care Packages | Support at Home |
|---|---|
| Based on fixed package levels | Based on individual assessed needs |
| Funding and services linked to assigned package level | Care can be tailored, adjusted, and scaled over time |
| Changes often require reassessment or waiting for a new package | Adjustments can be made as circumstances change |
| Multiple in-home programs sit alongside HCP | Combines multiple in-home support programs into one system |
| Can feel fragmented across services | Designed to be more streamlined and coordinated |
| Structured around budgets | Structured around personal care needs |
Access to Support at Home remains assessment-based, ensuring individuals receive care that meets their current needs. Existing Home Care Package recipients may undergo reassessment during the transition, helping align support with the new program. This process is designed to maintain continuity of care, allowing older Australians to continue receiving in-home services without interruption.
The following key points summarise the changes to Home Care Packages and what the introduction of the Support at Home program means for older Australians receiving in-home aged care services.
Understanding what is replacing Home Care Packages can help individuals and families feel more prepared for upcoming changes to in-home aged care. The introduction of the Support at Home program is designed to create a simpler and more flexible system, making it easier to access appropriate support.
Learning how Support at Home works, including assessment processes, funding arrangements, and transition pathways from existing programs, can support informed decision-making. Staying up to date with available information and seeking guidance when needed can help ensure continuity of care and a smoother transition into the new system.
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We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledge their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging.
© 2026 My Guardian Terms & Conditions | Disclaimer
We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledge
their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures
and the elders past, present and emerging.
