The new Support at Home Program
Australia’s aged care system has changed with the introduction of the new Support at Home program.
Home Care Packages have transitioned from four funding levels to eight levels of support, allowing care to better reflect each person’s individual needs.
Existing Home Care Package clients will transition gradually, with protections in place to ensure continuity of care.
Umbrella’s Support at Home services provide personalised support with everyday tasks, personal care and health needs, helping you live safely, confidently and independently at home.
What support is available?
Everyone’s situation is different. Some people simply need a little help around the house, while others require more regular assistance to continue living safely at home.
Support may include help with cleaning, shopping, transport, personal care, nursing, physiotherapy, medication support and other everyday tasks that make life easier.
If your needs become more complex over time, higher levels of funding are available through the Support at Home program. Residential aged care is also available for people who can no longer live safely at home.
Additional short-term support
Alongside ongoing support, there are three specialised pathways available:
- Restorative Care Pathway helps people regain their independence after illness or injury through short-term allied health support.
- Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) provides funding for equipment and home modifications that help people live safely at home.
- End-of-Life Pathway offers additional support for people who wish to remain at home in the final months of life.
Please note: While these pathways are part of Australia’s aged care system, Umbrella Community Care currently provides Assistive Technology & Home Modifications only.
What will it cost?
This is different for everyone.
It depends on:
- Your income
- Your assets
- Your financial situation
The Australian Government uses a means assessment through Services Australia to determine whether you’ll contribute towards the cost of your care. This assessment looks at your income, assets and overall financial circumstances.
Generally, people who receive the full Age Pension pay the least, while part pensioners and self-funded retirees may contribute more.
Before your services begin, we’ll explain:
- your approved funding
- any contributions that apply
- your individual care budget
- how your funding can be used.
Our team is committed to making the process simple and transparent, so you’ll always understand your options before making any decisions.
If you are already receiving or were approved for a Home Care Package (HCP) prior to the launch of the Support at Home program, you may be a transitional client.
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Home Care Package (HCP) Client
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Transitioned Clients
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Support At Home Clients
This is you if had a Home Care Package (or at least assessed as eligible) on or before 12 September 2024. You will have a no worse off principle (NWOP) under SAH. This means if you pay no client contributions now, you still won’t under SAH, regardless of the service. If you pay a Income Tested Fee (ITF) your contribution rates will be discounted as the NWOP participants contribution.
Contributions are decided by Services Australia and not Umbrella.
If you are unsure which category you are, please contact your Care Partner at 08 9275 4411.
This is if you have been approved or assessed for a Home Care Package (HCP) after 12 September, 2024. When SAH starts on 1 November 2025, you will automatically become a SAH participant, with the same level of funding. Your care services will be governed under the new Support at Home rules.
If you are unsure which category you are, please contact your Care Partner at 08 9275 4411.
This is you if you are assessed or granted aged care support from 1 November 2025 onwards. Your care services will be governed under the new Support at Home rules.
If you are unsure which category you are, please contact your Care Partner at 08 9275 4411.
Funding changes
Nationally, there are currently around $4 billion in unspent funds sitting in clients’ accounts.
The new funding model will aim to free up these resources so that individuals who need more care can access it sooner.
By introducing client contributions and placing reasonable limits on savings, the system will allow more people to benefit from the care they need.
Existing clients will keep their current balances, but new clients will follow the updated funding structure.
Support at Home will introduce eight levels of funding, allowing clients to better tailor services to their needs.
| HCP LEVELS | SAH Packages (from November 1st 2025) |
| LEVEL 1: $ 10,986.50 | Classification 1: $ 11,010.01 |
| Classification 2: $ 16,451.35 | |
| LEVEL 2: $ 19,319.45 | Classification 3: $ 22,536.81 |
| Classification 4: $ 30,468.51 | |
| LEVEL 3: $ 42,055.30 | Classification 5: $ 40,729.53 |
| Classification 6: $ 49,365.27 | |
| LEVEL 4: $ 63,758.20 | Classification 7: $ 59,660.00 |
| Classification 8: $ 80,137.12 |
Choice and independence
The Support at Home program is built on a foundation called the Wellness and Reablement Approach. The goal of this approach is to give you greater freedom and control over your own life and the services you receive.
For your Wellness, we aim to:
- Do activities with you, rather than for you
- Acknowledge your strengths
- Build up your skills
To support your Reablement, we aim to:
- Achieve specific goals and outcomes with you
- Maintain or regain skills you desire
- Help you to resume everyday activities
More info
Your New Statement of Rights
The new Aged Care Act will include a new Statement of Rights which will replace the Charter of Aged Care Rights, outlining the rights that older people will have when accessing aged care services. The rights will help to ensure that older people and their needs are at the center of the new aged care system.
The statement of rights includes the right for every person to have:
- Independence, autonomy, empowerment and freedom of choice.
- Equitable access.
- Quality and safe funded aged care services.
- Respect for privacy and information.
- Person-centred communication and the ability to raise issues without reprisal.
- Advocates, significant persons & social connections.
You have the right to make decisions about the things that affect your life including decisions about:
- Aged care services you want to use
- Who gives you aged care services
- How you get aged care services
Contact our
friendly team
If you are looking for more information for your loved one, trying to switch provider or looking for more information about our Home Services, contact us using this form or call (08) 9275 4411.
