Home Care Packages (HCP)
Were you approved for a Home Care Package before 1 November 2025?
On 1 November 2025, the Australian Government has replaced Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care with the new Support at Home program. Below, we explain what these changes mean for you.
How the changes affect you
The new Support at Home came into effect on 1 November 2025. However, if you were approved for home care funding before then, the key date to note is 12 September 2024, as it determines how Home Care Packages transition to the new system.
Below, we explain what this means for you and how it affects your package. You can also download our Support at Home guide.
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You are considered a 'grandfathered' participant, meaning you're protected under the "no worse off" principle: you make the same contributions, or lower, than you would have had under HCP program arrangements. Here’s what the changes mean for you:
- On 1 November 2025, you were automatically transitioned to the new Support at Home program.
- You stay on your current funding level (split into four quarterly budgets) until you have a reassessment under the Support at Home program.
- Any unspent funds in your HCP will carry over to your new Support at Home package.
- From 1 November, unspent funds are capped at $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget – whichever amount is greater.
For participants approved after 12 September 2024, you will transition into the new Support at Home program as a Hybrid/Transitional Participant. Here’s what the home care changes mean for you:
- On 1 November 2025, you remained on the same Home Care Package funding, now split into four quarterly budget.
- On 1 November 2025, you carried over up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly care budget - whichever is greater. Any unspent funds transitioned with you.
- Starting 1 November 2025, services will be grouped into three categories, with fees based on a percentage of service costs. Learn more about Support at Home service categories and contributions.
Your questions answered
Find the answers to some common questions people have about home care funding, and the transition to the Support at Home program.
If you were receiving a Home Care Package, or on the National Priority System, or assessed as eligible for a Package on or before 12 September 2024, you're a Grandfathered Home Care Package recipient. This means you were automatically transitioned to the new Support at Home program on 1 November 2025 without losing your current funding or benefits.
A ‘no worse off’ principle applies to HCP grandfathering, meaning that you will not be worse off under the Support at Home program, and you won’t make higher participant contributions than you did for your Home Care Package.
Note: Grandfathering arrangements only apply to your participant contributions and primary supplements.
