Support at Home Reform 2025Important Update

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March - April 2026

COASIT Newsletter

Caring for our Community

Support Plan Review process

Everyone receiving funding under the Support at Home program will be familiar with the formal Assessment Service process that took place when they were first approved for the funding level they now receive. At an individual level, we can usually adjust your care and services within your current funding level allocation to meet your changing needs, but sometimes, a person's funding is not sufficient, or they may need formal approval to use a different service type. In these circumstances, a formal Support Plan Review by the Single Assessment Service is required.

Education & Resources

Learning, advocacy, and helpful aged care guides.

Concerns about families or supporters cancelling essential care due to out-of-pocket costs

Under the Support at Home program, participants assessed as eligible for government-subsidised funding after 12 September 2024 are now required to make personal financial contributions towards their care. For many people, especially those unaccustomed to paying for such supports, these new costs may seem daunting. And while we understand the financial strain the new contributions may cause, we are also mindful that declining or cancelling these services can place participants at risk by limiting their access to care and services that have been professionally deemed necessary for their safety, comfort, and independence.

Finance & Aged Care Systems

Guidance on costs, funding, and protection.

New arrangements for continence aids funding

Many older Australians rely on continence aids to maintain their comfort, dignity and independence. For years, the Australian Government's Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) has helped eligible people with permanent and severe incontinence to cover the costs associated with these essential products. However, an important change has occurred whereby people receiving Support at Home funding are no longer eligible for CAPS and will need to access continence aids differently. Disposable continence aids now come under the service type known as 'clinical care consumables' and can be accessed directly through the Support at Home program rather than through the separate government CAPS scheme.

Finance & Aged Care Systems

Guidance on costs, funding, and protection.

New confirmation of service delivery requirements

The Support at Home program introduced a range of new measures aimed at increasing transparency, accountability and participant satisfaction for the care and services they receive. This means registered providers must now collect evidence to confirm the delivery of care and services for all participants. This means collecting evidence of services delivered by support workers who are provider employees, as well as third-party contractors and associated providers.

Education & Resources

Learning, advocacy, and helpful aged care guides.

Whistleblower protections for participants and supporters

The new Aged Care Act (2024) introduced a range of strengthened rights and protections for older people using government-funded aged care services. One key protection relates to the way people can expect to be treated if they speak up when they witness or experience wrongdoing by a provider. This process is a way of reporting actual or 'reasonably suspicious wrongdoing' in relation to us as a Registered Provider, noting that the whistleblower option is not meant for matters that can usually be handled as part of a complaints process.

Education & Resources

Learning, advocacy, and helpful aged care guides.

Maintaining service flexibility under Support at Home

One of the most helpful features of the old Home Care Packages (HCP) program was the flexibility it provided to both participants and providers, allowing them to adjust care and services through mutual agreement and negotiation. If a person's care needs or circumstances changed, we could work directly with you to arrange necessary referrals and updates to redirect your package funds to where they were most needed. It is reassuring to know that all HCP participants receiving or approved for a home care package before October 31, 2025, are automatically approved for all service categories and types under Support at Home. This means that your service access and flexibility will not change.

Finance & Aged Care Systems

Guidance on costs, funding, and protection.

Support at Home fee estimator

Most people are now aware of the introduction of personal out-of-pocket contributions that participants are required to pay toward the cost of their care and services under Support at Home. Transitioned home care package participants who have their fee contributions grandfathered will likely make no personal contribution at all, unless they have an income above the full Age Pension.

Finance & Aged Care Systems

Guidance on costs, funding, and protection.

Accessing Assistive Technology and Home Modifications funding

As a participant in a government-funded home care program, you'll know firsthand about how quickly your needs can change, so having access to funding that is responsive to your changing needs is essential. One key change from the previous Home Care Packages (HCP) program to the new Support at Home program, is the separation of funding for Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) from ongoing care hours and services.

Equipment & Technology

Equipment & Technology

Health Spotlight: Fluid retention (Oedema)

If you’ve ever noticed puffiness or swelling of your skin, or skin that looks or feels shiny or tight, you might be experiencing Fluid Retention, also known as oedema. This is a common problem as we age, as the lymphatic system slows down resulting in parts of your body swelling due to a build-up of trapped fluid.

Health & Wellbeing

Care tips for body and mind.

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