When Support at Home begins on 1 November 2025, people who are already receiving a Home Care Package will not be disadvantaged. Here’s what is assured:

• Same funding level: If you currently have a Home Care Package, your transition to Support at Home will start with an equivalent level of funding.

• Supplements retained: If you currently receive supplements (for example, for dementia and cognition, oxygen, or enteral feeding), those will continue under grandfathering arrangements while you remain at your existing funding level.

• Unspent funds roll over: Any unspent Home Care Package funds you hold will be carried forward and available under Support at Home. They aren’t lost or cancelled.

• Automatic entry / transfer: You won’t need a brand-new assessment if you are an existing HCP client. You will automatically transition to Support at Home and maintain your service provider unless you choose otherwise.

From 1 November 2025, the New Aged Care Act gives you stronger rights and protections.

• You will have a Statement of Rights. Read the Statement of Rights Here
  

  • feel safe,

  • get good quality care,

  • keep your independence,

  • have your culture and identity respected,

  • and speak up if something is wrong without being punished.
    

• This means you must always be treated with respect, dignity, and fairness. You have the right to:

• You can choose a registered supporter. This is a person you trust who can help you make decisions about your care. They can speak with My Aged Care on your behalf, help explain your options, and make sure your choices are respected. Read more about the changes to a registered supporter role here
  

• There are changes to participant contributions (the amount you may pay towards care). You will pay based on the services you actually use.
  

  • Clinical services (like nursing) are fully funded by the government.

  • Other services may have a cost depending on your income and assets.

  • People on pensions usually pay less.

  • People who already had care before September 2024 will not pay more than under the old rules.

Discover more by reading the Exploring Aged Care booklet. This booklet is aimed at older people and their families and carers. It contains information about the changes to aged care and how these changes will improve aged care in Australia now and into the future.

If you have any unspent Home Care Package (HCP) funds by the time you move to Support at Home, you will keep those funds—they will carry over in full.

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How You Can Use Your Unspent Funds

You can use your unspent HCP funds to:

• Cover additional approved services when your quarterly Support at Home budget is used up.

• Purchase equipment or home modifications that are assessed as needed, or assistive technology.
  

Caps and Carry-Over of New Unspent Funds (Under Support at Home)

For funds that become unspent after you move to Support at Home:

• You will be allowed to carry over into the next quarter up to 10% of your quarterly budget or $1,000, whichever is greater.

• Unspent funds that are older (i.e. from your HCP period, prior to transition) are not subject to this quarterly carry-over cap.
  

Using Unspent Funds First

• Before applying for funding through the AT-HM scheme for equipment or modifications, if you have unspent HCP funds available, those unspent funds must be used first.
  

Duration of Unspent Funds

• These unspent funds remain yours until they are used up or you exit the Support at Home program.

From 1 November 2025, under the new Support at Home program, how much you contribute toward your in-home care will depend on both the type of service and your financial circumstances. Government will fully fund clinical services (like nursing and physiotherapy). For other services—such as help with everyday tasks or products and equipment—you’ll share in the cost, with your contribution calculated as a percentage of the service fee.

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The more concessional your pension status, the lower your contribution will be; for part-pensioners, self-funded retirees and others with higher means, the contribution rate may be higher. However, there’s a “no-worse-off” guarantee: if you were receiving or approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024, you will not pay more under Support at Home than you did under the previous system.

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There is also a $130,000 lifetime cap on non-clinical contributions to help protect people who need care for many years. If you ever face financial hardship, you can apply for assistance to reduce your contributions.

For more information, please call us on 1300 336 488 and our Aged Care Experts will guide you through what applies to you.

You can also use the government’s fee-estimator tool to get an idea of your likely contribution.

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Source: Support at Home Participant Contributions​

From 1 November 2025, under the new Support at Home program, there are important changes to how care management works. These changes affect how your funds are used and what support you receive.

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• 10% of your monthly services budget will be set aside for care management. Each participant’s quarterly budget will now include a 10% allocation specifically for care management, leaving the remaining 90% for direct services.
  

• What care management includes (and what it doesn't). Care management covers things like: • developing, reviewing, and adjusting your care plan and quarterly budget • coordinating and organising your services • monthly check-ins to make sure services are meeting your needs, including arranging practical help or clinical advice if your needs change • education and support for you (and possibly your family/carer) so you can understand your care plan and use your services well. Care management does not mean the full service itself (for example, providing a carer to assist with daily tasks) or paying for all your services — those are funded separately via the rest of your budget. Care management is about planning, oversight and support.
  

• How and when the care management funding is allocated. The care management amount (10%) is taken at the start of each quarter from your overall ongoing services budget. Providers will use that allocation to support your care partner in delivering the management activities listed above throughout the quarter.

From 1 November 2025, the new Aged Care Act introduces a role called a registered supporter. This is someone you choose — like a family member, friend or carer — who can help you understand information, talk through your options, and share your decisions with My Aged Care or Omnicare.

A registered supporter does not make decisions for you. Their role is to help you stay in control by supporting your decision-making. You can choose more than one supporter, and you can change or remove them at any time.

Having a registered supporter makes it easier for someone you trust to speak with us on your behalf, while still keeping your wishes front and centre. It’s about giving you extra help to navigate aged care, without taking away your independence.

If you already have a My Aged Care representative, they will transition into a registered supporter under the new program.

From 1 November 2025, you can choose to self-manage parts of your aged care under the new Support at Home program.

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What self-management means

• You take more control over organising some of your services.

• You can choose which providers or workers to use, and how services are delivered.

• You still have support — we (Omnicare) will oversee your care to make sure everything is safe, good quality, and follows the law.
  

Care management and your budget

• Every participant will have 10% of their quarterly budget set aside for care management.

• Care management includes things like making and reviewing your care plan, coordinating services, and supporting you to make the most of your care.

• Your care partner will check in with you at least once a month to make sure your care is on track.
  

Quality and safety

• Any services or workers you choose must still meet government standards and safety rules.

• Omnicare is responsible for making sure your services are delivered safely and in line with program requirements.

From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program will include a special budget for Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM). This funding helps you access equipment or changes to your home that keep you safe and independent — like ramps, rails, bathroom changes, mobility aids, or specialised equipment.

How it works

• AT-HM has its own separate budget, different from your day-to-day services.

• If you are moving from a Home Care Package, any unspent funds you already have can be used for AT-HM items — and these don’t count toward the usual caps.

• The government may ask you to make a small contribution toward some items, depending on your circumstances and the type of equipment.

• For “wrap-around” services (like delivery, set-up or training), there is no client contribution.

Why it matters

AT-HM gives you access to the tools and changes that can make living at home easier, safer, and more comfortable. And if you have unspent funds from your current package, you can use those first before drawing on new funding.

From 1 November 2025, you have the right to speak up if something is not right with your care.

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Talk to Omnicare First

• If you are unhappy, tell your care partner or another Omnicare staff member.

• We will listen and try to fix the problem quickly.

• You will not get into trouble for speaking up.
  

If You Still Have Concerns

You can make a complaint to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

You can do this:

• Online on their website

• By phone: 1800 951 822 (free call)

• In writing (letter or email)
  

Who Can Complain

• You (the person getting care)

• Your family or carer

• Someone you trust who speaks for you

What Happens Next

• The Commission will listen and ask questions.

• You can choose to keep your name private.

• They will decide how serious the issue is and what action to take.

• They will keep you informed about what is happening.
  

What You Can Complain About

• The quality or safety of your care (like medication, hygiene, services)

• How staff treat you, including respect and communication

• Fees or charges you do not understand or agree with
  

Your Rights

• Complaints must be handled fairly and respectfully.

• You have the right to speak up without punishment.

Find additional information here.

• If you were already receiving a Home Care Package, or on the waiting list (National Priority System), or assessed as eligible by 12 September 2024, then under the new Support at Home your contributions (what you pay) will be the same or lower, not higher than under the old system.

• This guarantee applies even if later your assessed needs change and you move into a higher classification — you still won’t pay more than what you would have under Home Care Packages.