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From 1 October 2026, you won't pay a contribution for approved personal care on Support at Home. Here's what it means for you and your budget.
From 1 October 2026, you will no longer pay a contribution for approved personal care under Support at Home. That means help with things like showering, dressing and getting ready for the day won't cost you anything out of your own pocket.
It's one of the most meaningful changes to Support at Home since the program began. For many Members, personal care is the support that makes the biggest difference to staying safe, comfortable and independent at home. Now it's easier to get the help you need, without worrying about the cost adding up.
In this blog, we explain what's changing, what stays the same, and how you can make the most of it.
What's changing with Support at Home personal care contributions?
Under Support at Home, most services attract a contribution based on the type of service and your personal circumstances. Services fall into three groups: clinical supports, independence and everyday living.
Until now, personal care sat in the independence group, meaning most people have needed to pay a contribution towards it. From 1 October 2026, the Australian Government includes personal care in the clinical supports group. Clinical supports are fully funded by the Government, so there's no contribution to pay.
In plain terms, you won't be out of pocket for personal care if:
- personal care is approved in your support plan, and
- you have Support at Home funds available in your budget
The change applies to personal care delivered on or after 1 October 2026. Personal care delivered before that date still has a contribution, even if it shows up on a later statement.
What counts as personal care?
Personal care is hands-on help with everyday tasks that keep you clean, comfortable and well. Under Support at Home, it includes help with:
- assistance with self-care activities of daily living, such as showering and bathing
- dressing and getting ready for the day
- personal hygiene and grooming
- eating and drinking
- non-clinical continence management
- assistance with taking your own medication
What counts as personal care isn't changing. If you're unsure whether a service is included, your provider can help you clarify.
What this means for you
The biggest difference is simple: more of your own money stays with you. Here's how that can help.
Get the personal care you need, without holding back. Some people cut back on help with showering or dressing because of the cost. Now cost doesn't need to be part of that decision. If you need an extra shower a week, or help getting ready each morning, you can talk to your provider about adding it.
More room for the other services you value. Contributions still apply to services like cleaning, gardening, meals and transport. With no personal care contributions to pay, the money you save can go towards those services instead. That can mean more help around the house, more trips out, or more time with your Helper.
Clearer, more predictable costs. With no contribution for personal care, your monthly costs are easier to plan for. That's good news for you and for family members who help manage your finances.
Dignity comes first. The Government made this change to support dignity, hygiene and access to essential daily care. Feeling clean, dressed and ready for the day is a basic part of feeling like yourself, and it shouldn't come down to cost.
How much could you save?
You only pay for the services you use, and clinical is fully funded by the government. How much you contribute for other services depends on your personal situation.
Before 1 October 2026, personal care was classified as an independence service. From 1 October, itpersonal care moves under clinical support. So, depending on your situation, you’ll save between 5% and 50% of the cost of every personal care visit.
A quick example
Margaret is a full pensioner. She has help with showering three mornings a week and a fortnightly clean. Before 1 October, she paid 5% of the cost of her showering help and 17.5% of the cost of her cleaning. From 1 October, she pays nothing towards her showering help, and her cleaning contribution stays at 17.5%. Her care is still paid from her Support at Home budget, but her out-of-pocket costs drop. She uses some of that saving to add a weekly trip to the shops with her Helper.
If Margaret were a self-funded retiree, the saving would be even bigger: she'd no longer pay 50% of the cost of her showering help.
Example only. Your contributions depend on your own circumstances and support plan.
What's not changing
A lot stays exactly the same, so there's nothing you need to do to keep receiving your care.
- Your care is the same. The same Helpers can support you in the same way.
- Personal care still comes from your budget. The government funds it through your Support at Home budget, so it still uses your available funds. It just no longer adds a contribution on top.
- You still need approval. Personal care must be approved in your support plan, and you need funds available.
- Other services still have contributions. Services in the independence and everyday living categories, like cleaning, gardening, meals and transport, still attract a contribution.
Because personal care now has no contribution but other services still do, you may see a mix on your statement.
Already a Five Good Friends Member? Here's how to make the most of it
Your care will continue as normal from 1 October 2026. The change will be applied automatically, and you'll see it on your statements for care delivered from that date.
This is also a good time to check your support still fits your needs. You might want to talk to your care team if:
- you've been holding back on personal care because of the cost
- you'd like help with showering or dressing more often, or on different days
- you want to use your savings towards other services, like cleaning, gardening or social outings
- you're not sure personal care is approved in your support plan.
Your care team can review your care plan and budget with you, and make sure any changes fit within your available funds. Just give us a call on 1300 787 581
New to Support at Home, or thinking of switching providers?
If you or someone you love has been approved for Support at Home, this change makes personal care more affordable than ever. And if you've been putting off getting help because of the cost, now is a good time to look again.
At Five Good Friends, we help you get the most from your Support at Home budget. You'll have:
- a dedicated care team who helps you plan your support and understand your costs
- Helpers you choose and get to know, who support you with personal care and other everyday tasks
- the Five Good Friends app, so you and your family can see visits, costs and your budget in one place.
You can switch providers at any time. We'll help you through every step, so there's no gap in your care.
Let's talk about your care
This change is a real win for senior Australians living at home. Whether you're already a Member or just starting to explore Support at Home, we're here to help you make the most of it.
Already a Member? Talk to our care team about reviewing your support plan.
New to Five Good Friends? Call us on 1300 787 581 or make an enquiry to find out how we can help.
For more on the change, visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
