Learn what the new Support at Home aged care program means for you and how Five Good Friends can help.
It replaces Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care with a single, simpler system for in-home aged care.
Our purpose at Five Good Friends remains the same: to help you stay connected to the friends, family, homes, and communities you love for as long as you choose.
Under the current Home Care Package program, there are four levels of funding.
The new Support at Home program introduces eight funding classifications, with each annual budget allocated in quarterly amounts.
Home Care Package
Annual budget
Level 1
$10,986
Level 2
$19,319
Level 3
$42,055
Level 4
$63,758
Support at Home
Annual budget
Classification 1
$10,731
Classification 2
$16,034
Classification 3
$21,965
Classification 4
$29,696
Classification 5
$39,697
Classification 6
$48,114
Classification 7
$58,148
Classification 8
$78,106
In addition to your ongoing classification, Support at Home includes flexible pathways that respond to changing circumstances:
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme
What to expect
Practical changes to your home or equipment that support safety and independence. This can include things like grab rails, ramps, or mobility aids prescribed by an allied health professional.
End of Life Pathway
What to expect
Specialist services that help you remain comfortable, supported, and connected at home in the final stage of life. This pathway prioritises dignity, choice, and time with loved ones.
Restorative Care Pathway
What to expect
Up to 16 weeks of short-term support designed to help you get back on your feet after illness, injury, or a hospital stay. It focuses on recovery and regaining independence.
Our AI plan builder shows you what a help plan could look like with your funding. Explore what a week of support might include.
Existing Home Care Package participants retain all unspent funds. They will carry over in full and remain available for use under Support at Home.
You can use your HCP balance to:
Under Support at Home, you can also carry over up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget (whichever is greater) into the next quarter.
It is important to plan to use your funding each quarter so it supports the outcomes that matter most to you.
Support at Home services fall into three categories:
Clinical Supports
Nursing, allied health, therapies, medication support
Independence
Personal assistance, continence, mobility, respite, social support, transport
Everyday Living
Cleaning, laundry, meals, gardening, home maintenance
The government pays the full cost of clinical care. Contributions apply for Independence and Everyday Living services, based on your pension or income status. The national service list defines what is included and what is not. A government calculator will be available to show detailed pricing.
Our Programs for Living Well are designed to help you maximise independence while staying healthy and connected at home.
These evidence-based programs focus on preventative health — building daily habits and routines that support confidence, strength, and wellbeing. They also align with the latest Aged Care Standards, ensuring quality support that meets government guidelines.
Active Life
Improving strength, balance, and mobility to lower the risk of falls and keep people active in daily life
Mealtime and Communication Support
Making mealtimes safer and more engaging through posture, pacing, and safe swallowing techniques
Well Nourished
Personalised meal planning and nutrition support linked to better strength, cognition, and energy
Instead of drawing on services one by one, they bring supports together in a structured way that delivers long-term benefits and helps people remain at home for longer.
You only pay for the services you use. Clinical care is fully funded by the government.
A lifetime cap of $130,000 applies across Support at Home and residential aged care.
If you can’t afford your contribution, you can apply for financial hardship assistance so your care can continue without interruption.
Under the no worse off rule, grandfathered participants will continue to pay the same or less than you do now.
From November 2025, everyone receiving or applying for home support will be part of the new Support at Home program.
People fall into three groups, depending on when they were first approved:
Grandfathered participants
Approved on or before 12 September 2024. Their contribution arrangements are protected by the no worse off rule. They will pay the same as before, or less.
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Transitioned participants (not grandfathered)
Approved after 12 September 2024 but before 1 November 2025. They will move across to Support at Home on the new contribution settings, based on their pension or income status.
New entrants
Approved for the first time on or after 1 November 2025. They start directly in Support at Home under the new rules.
Protected by No Worse Off Rule
Approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 Sept 2024
Patricia is 82 and lives in Rockhampton. She has been receiving a Level 3 Home Care Package since early 2022. As a full Age Pensioner approved before 12 September 2024, Patricia will move into Support at Home as a grandfathered participant. Her supports include nursing visits, online bill payment help, mobility support, and garden maintenance. She wanted reassurance: “Will I have to start paying new contributions?”
The answer is no. As a grandfathered participant, Patricia’s contribution arrangements are protected under the No Worse Off Rule. She will not pay new contributions for Independence or Everyday Living services. Clinical services remain fully funded.
Her support continues seamlessly, with costs unchanged.
Dennis is 79 and lives in Brisbane. He has been receiving a Level 3 Home Care Package since 2021. He receives a part Age Pension and income from superannuation.
Because he was approved before 12 September 2024, Dennis is a grandfathered participant.
Dennis’s supports include podiatry, daily personal care, cleaning, and meal preparation. He wondered: “Will the new contribution tiers affect me?”
The answer is no. Under the no worse off rule, Dennis continues to pay the same contribution he has always paid — or less. His financial settings are protected. Clinical services remain fully funded. Independence and Everyday Living supports continue under his existing contribution arrangements.
Barbara is 80 and lives in Canberra. She has been receiving a Level 2 Home Care Package since 2021. She is a self-funded retiree and not eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
Because she was approved before 12 September 2024, Barbara is a grandfathered participant. Barbara’s supports include weekly physiotherapy, a medication reminder system, social visits, and cleaning. Her concern was: “Will I end up paying more?”
The answer is no. Under the no worse off rule, Barbara will continue to pay the same contribution as before — or less. There are no new fees, no new financial assessments, and no changes to her financial obligations. Under Support at Home, income-tested fees and daily charges are replaced with contributions toward the services provided.
Barbara’s contributions remain stable, her costs are protected, and her support continues without disruption.
Not Grandfathered
Approved for a Home Care Package after 12 Sept 2024 but before 1 Nov 2025
Barry is 85 and lives in a two-bedroom villa near his local shops. He began receiving a Level 2 Home Care Package in February 2025.
Because his package was approved after 12 September 2024, Barry will move across on 1 November 2025 as a transitioned Support at Home participant (not grandfathered).
Barry’s plan includes nursing care, help with home maintenance, and transport to community activities. He wanted to know: “What exactly will I pay?”
As a full age pensioner, Barry is placed in the lowest contribution tier. Clinical services remain fully funded by the government. Independence supports such as transport or home maintenance attract a 5% contribution. Everyday Living supports such as cleaning or meal preparation attract a 17.5% contribution.
Barry does not need to complete new paperwork. Services Australia already holds his pension details, and his contribution rates are applied automatically. His contributions are small, clearly set, and predictable.
Margaret is 76 and lives in Sydney. She began receiving a Level 3 Home Care Package in November 2024. She receives a part Age Pension and income from her superannuation.
Because her package was approved after 12 September 2024, Margaret will move across as a transitioned Support at Home participant (not grandfathered).
Margaret’s plan includes physiotherapy, remedial massage, transport, and domestic support. She wanted clarity: “I need to know how the new categories will affect me.”
As a part pensioner, Margaret is placed in the moderate contribution tier. Clinical services remain fully funded by the government. Independence attracts a 5% to 50% contribution and Everyday Living 17.5% to 80%. How much she pays is based on her means, automatically set by Services Australia. No new means assessment is required unless her circumstances change.
Margaret’s contributions are fair and predictable. She knows exactly what to expect and can continue planning ahead with confidence.
Colin is 80 and lives in Brisbane. He began receiving a Level 4 Home Care Package in October 2024. He is a self-funded retiree and not eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
Because his package was approved after 12 September 2024, Colin will move across as a transitioned Support at Home participant (not grandfathered). Colin’s plan includes COPD management, transport to GP appointments, group respite, and domestic assistance. His question was: “Will my contributions change under the new system?”
As a self-funded retiree, Colin is placed in the highest contribution tier. Clinical services remain fully funded by the government, while Independence and Everyday Living supports attract higher contributions, 50% and 80% respectively. The old income-tested care fee no longer applies. Instead, contributions are paid on the services delivered, and are clear, structured, and applied automatically using the means details already held by Services Australia.
Colin’s services continue without disruption. The new rules give him transparency and certainty about what he will pay, with no hidden charges or unexpected changes.
Approved for the first time on or after 1 Nov 2025
Ron is 78 and rents a flat near his local bowls club. He’s always managed well on his own, but after a few health setbacks, some everyday tasks have become harder.
With his GP’s encouragement, Ron applied through My Aged Care and was approved for Support at Home in November 2025. His plan includes regular nursing visits, help with cleaning and shopping, and transport to appointments. These supports mean Ron can stay safe at home while keeping up with the routines that matter to him.
Ron’s main question was simple: “I just want to be clear on what I’ll pay.”
As a new entrant and a full Age Pensioner, Ron is placed in the lowest contribution tier. The government pays all of Ron’s clinical care costs, with his contributions going towards the things he has always paid for in life — like meals, cleaning, and help around the home. For Independence supports such as transport, he contributes 5%. For Everyday Living supports, he contributes 17.5%.
Services Australia already holds his pension details, so his contribution rates are applied automatically. Each month, Ron receives a statement that shows what has been spent from his budget, which services he has received, and how much he has contributed.
With the right support in place, Ron feels prepared. His contributions are manageable, the funding is transparent, and he has the confidence to remain independent and well supported at home.
As a new entrant and part pensioner, Judith is placed in the moderate contribution tier. Clinical supports such as physiotherapy are fully funded by the government. For independence supports like transport, she contributes 5% -50%. For everyday living supports like cleaning, she contributes between 17.5%-80%.
Judith is 83 and lives in the home she and her late husband bought many years ago. She receives a part Age Pension, along with some income from her superannuation.
Judith noticed that keeping up with her housework and getting to appointments had become more difficult. She applied through My Aged Care and was approved for Support at Home from November 2025. Her plan includes physiotherapy, cleaning support, and transport for medical visits.
Judith’s concern was: “I need to know what my share will be.”
Her contribution level is based on means details already held by Services Australia. Judith doesn’t need to complete any new forms unless her circumstances change significantly.
Each month, she receives a statement showing what has been spent, which services she has used, and how much she has contributed. This makes planning easy and gives her confidence that her contributions are fair and predictable.
Alan is 79 and lives in Melbourne in the townhouse he moved to after retiring. He has managed his finances carefully and draws an income from his superannuation and investments.
Alan applied for Support at Home in November 2025 after noticing his mobility was declining. He was approved for physiotherapy, domestic support, and regular shopping assistance. Alan’s question was: “I just need to understand how much will be covered, and what I’ll contribute myself.”
As a new entrant and a self-funded retiree without a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, Alan is placed in the highest contribution tier. Clinical supports such as nursing or wound care are fully funded by the government. Independence supports like transport and personal care, and Everyday Living supports like cleaning and meal preparation, attract higher contribution rates, 50% and 80% respectively.
His contribution level is set automatically using details already held by Services Australia. He does not need to complete a separate means assessment unless he wishes to apply for a hardship reduction.
Alan receives clear statements outlining his budget, services, and contributions. The funding is structured and transparent, so he knows exactly what to expect. This gives him peace of mind that while he contributes more than pensioners, his costs are consistent and predictable.
This statement sets out what every person can expect: respect, safety, quality, and transparency. Publishing the Statement ensures accountability and helps you understand your entitlements.
Our purpose remains consistent and enduring: to provide services and experiences that keep you connected to the families, friends, homes and communities you love, for as long as you desire.
Our team will help you understand the new program and support you to get the most value and flexibility from your Support at Home budget.
Choose Full Service Membership for coordinated support, or Self-managed Membership if you prefer to organise your own schedule through our app. Both options give you full choice and control under the new Support at Home program.
The Support at Home reforms are designed to make aged care simpler, and with Five Good Friends, it can be. We help you stay connected to the people, places, and routines you love, for as long as you desire.
Let’s get you the right support. What do you need?
