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Home care reforms
(Support at Home)

The Home Care Package (HCP) program has been replaced with Support at Home. We’re here to guide you and explain how these changes affect you or your loved ones.

Looking for changes in aged care homes? Visit our Residential Aged Care Reforms page. For WMQ news and community stories, head to our News page. 

Key changes

At Wesley Mission Queensland we welcome these reforms as a positive step toward a more person-centred, transparent, and flexible aged care system.

Support at home replaced Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-term Restorative Care (STRC).
Home care subsidy changed from $10,588 (Lvl 1) and $61,440 (Lvl 4) per year, to $10,731 (Classification 1) and $78,106 (Classification 8).
A new means-tested system makes aged care more affordable for those with less. High earners will pay higher service contributions.
The 'no worse-off' principle ensures home and residential aged care recipients keep their existing services and benefits.
Clinical care services are fully funded by the Government, regardless of your income.
Stricter compliance and monitoring systems ensure nursing homes meet standards.
Faster access to assistive technology and home modifications thanks to dedicated funding.
Mandatory individual contribution was introduced, including to those receiving full pensions.

Home care reforms articles

Stay informed with Wesley Mission Queensland, committed to building trust and enhancing the quality of aged care.

Featured article

Updated June 2025

Aged Care Reforms - Home Care image

What you need to know about home care changes
(Support at Home program)

We explain the changes and how they may affect you.

Transitioning from HCP to Support at Home Aged care reforms

What you need to know about transiotioning ftrom Support at Home transition

Tags: Home Care

Aged care reform - home care changes
Support at Home webinar for seniors, families and carers Aged care reforms

Watch this Government webinar and read the key points.

Tags: Home Care

Support at home government webinar
Government releases the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications list Aged care reforms

A new equipment loan scheme has been designed to provide faster access to assistive technologies, with funding of up to $15,000.

Tags: Home Care, Residential Aged Care, Aged care reforms, Dementia

Aged care reform - home care changes
Staged price caps in new Support at Home Program Aged care reforms

Government announces a phased introduction of price caps for the new home care program.

Tags: Home Care

Aged Care reform - Home Care Price Caps
A new Aged Care Single Assessment System replaces ACAT today Aged care reforms

The Single Assessment System aims to simplify aged care assessments.

Tags: Home Care, Residential Aged Care

Aged care reform - single aged care assessment system
Home care reforms (Support at Home) - what you need to know Aged care reforms

We explain the proposed changes to home care and how they may affect you.

Tags: Home Care

Aged care reform - home care changes
Aged care reforms key milestones Aged care reforms

From the establishment of the Aged Care Taskforce to the planned implementation of the new Aged Care Act.

Tags: Home Care, Residential Aged Care

Aged care reform key milestones
Aged care reforms: all you need to know Aged care reforms

We explain the proposed changes and how they may affect you.

Tags: Home Care, Residential Aged Care

Aged care reform - What you need to know

Official government information

Explore official information about aged care reforms:

Reforms overview Support at Home Fact sheets

Support at Home FAQs

Yes. On 1 November 2025, Support at Home replaced the Home Care Packages (HCP) program. The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) will transition later, in 2027. Read more: Transitioning from HCP to Support at Home. 

The Short-Term Restorative Care program has also been replaced by the Restorative Care Pathway, under the Support at Home program. Read more here.  

The Support at Home program is the new system replacing Home Care Packages (HCP), Commonwealth Home Support Program CHSP and the Queensland Community Support Scheme (QCSS). It offers more flexible, personalised home care for older Australians. 
Support at Home is the new aged care program that replaces Home Care Packages from 1 November 2025. Support at Home will simplify the system by combining multiple programs (including HCP and CHSP) into one. It introduces 8 levels of care and changes to how services are delivered and funded, aiming to provide more flexibility, transparency, and consistency. To learn more, view our dedicated Support at Home page. Learn more at What is Support at Home?

The Short-Term Restorative Care program has now been replaced by the Restorative Care Pathway under the Support at Home program. This new pathway offers up to 16 weeks of intensive allied health and nursing care to help you get back on your feet, regain independence, and prevent higher level of ongoing care. The pathway its own funding, rather than be part of you Support at Home budget for ongoing services. Learn more about changes to home care at What is Support at Home.

You don’t need to reapply. If you were approved for a Home Care Package before 12 September 2024, you will transition under your existing conditions and won’t pay more out of pocket. If approved after 12 September 2024, your financial contribution will be assessed under the new funding model. Services Australia will notify new clients about any co-contributions based on their individual financial situation. Read more about transitioning from HCP to Support at Home. 
The government is increasing the maximum home care subsidy amounts, as well as the number of levels of care. Currently, subsidies range from about $10,588 per year for Level 1 care up to $61,440 for Level 4 care. Under the new system, subsidies will increase to approximately $11,000 for Classification 1 care and up to $78,000 for Classification 8 care. This change means more flexibility with more funding available to better meet high care needs. 

No. You won’t lose your care, and services will continue without interruption. Most people have transitioned from a Home Care Package automatically. You will only be reassessed if your current care needs change and, consequently, your budget can no longer support your required level of care. You will always go up a level when being reviewed. The new program uses 8 levels of funding, compared to 4 under the current HCP system. Any unused HCP funds will carry over and be used to support your care under Support at Home.

A trained assessor will look at your current care needs, usually by talking with you and your provider. They’ll check if your current support level and funding still meets your needs under the new system. Your care won’t stop during this process. Read more about the new Single Assessment System.

Services Australia or My Aged Care is contacting participants directly explaining what’s changing and what steps to take.  Your provider may also contact you to discuss any updates to your care or funding. 
No, you stay on your current funding when transitioned from HCP to Support at Home. After November 2025, when you exhaust your funding, you will need to apply for a review. If your care needs increase, you will be reassessed – and you will always move up a level when reviewed in the new system. Read more about transitioning from HCP to Support at Home.
Your fees — the amount you pay for each service — may change but it's capped, with protections in place to prevent unfair charges by providers. If you were approved for a Home Care Package before 12 September 2024, you will transition under your existing conditions and won’t pay more out of pocket. If approved after 12 September 2024, your financial contribution will be assessed under the new funding model. Services Australia will notify new clients about any co-contributions based on their individual financial situation.
You’ll continue to receive help with cleaning, meals, transport, personal care, and more — all tailored to your needs. The main change is how these services are funded and subsidised. Clinical care — such as nursing, allied health, and therapy — will be fully funded by the Government. However, some services may require a co-contribution which will be dependant on your income and assets, assessed by Services Australia, with type of services determined on your individual care plan.  
The CHSP will continue as usual until 2027 and will be merged into Support at Home no sooner than 2027. In November 2025, only the Home Care Packages (HCP) will transition to Support at Home. CHSP services may change in how they’re delivered once merged in 2027. The Short-Term Restorative Care program will also be replaced by a new program in November 2025, the Restorative Care Pathway.
Yes, if your provider is approved under the new system and offers the services you need. 

General Aged Reforms FAQs
(new Aged Care Act)

The new Aged Care Act 2024 is a new law that changes how aged care is delivered and funded in Australia. It gives older people clearer legal rights, requires providers to meet higher standards, and introduces programs like Support at Home starting 1 November 2025.
The reforms focus on making aged care fairer, safer, and more transparent. They aim to give older people clearer rights, improve how care is assessed and funded, and strengthen complaint processes.
Most reforms are now in effect under the new Aged Care Act 2024, including Support at Home and the single assessment system. The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) will transition in 2027.
The reforms aim to make aged care safer and fairer by giving older people clearer rights, using independent assessments to determine care needs, increasing fee transparency, setting price caps, strengthening complaint processes, and updating funding models for home and residential care. Under the reforms, Home Care Packages are been replaced by the Support at Home program.
A new single assessment system was introduced in December 2024 to simplify how care needs are assessed for home care and residential care. This replaces multiple assessments, including ACAT, to make access easier.
Residents in care on 1 Nov 2025 keep their fees. For new residents, means-tested fees are removed, funding is still assessed, and contributions for Hotelling and non-clinical care apply. Providers must explain all fees, with price caps protecting residents.
The new reforms make aged care more transparent by requiring providers to clearly explain all fees and services. There are price caps to stop overcharging, stronger rules about what care must be delivered, and more government checks to make sure providers do the right thing. You should also have better access to information about your rights and how to make a complaint if needed.
The government says people already receiving aged care will not lose access to support when the new system starts. This means your services should continue at a similar level, but they may be adjusted based on your care needs and available budget under the new rules.
Yes. These reforms are the government’s response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which called for a fairer, safer, and more person-centred aged care system.
The new Aged Care Act includes a Statement of Rights for older people. You can learn more about your rights on the Department of Health website.
You can raise concerns with your provider, contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, the aged Care advocacy service (Older Persons Advocacy Network - OPAN) or seek support from an aged care advocate.

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Home Care Brisbane - Client welcomes staff in his QLD home - WMQ