The Australian Government is making changes to in-home aged care.

Support at Home is replacing the Home Care Packages program. The new program is designed to help you remain independent in your home and community for longer.

The introduction of Support at Home applies to every provider of aged care services across the country, including UnitingSA. Everyone who uses in-home aged care services – no matter their provider – will transition to Support at Home.

Support at Home commences on 1 November 2025.

If you are a current client with us, simply read the letters that you will receive from the Australian Government and UnitingSA explaining the changes.

Next, you can expect a call from one of our Care Partners to arrange a time to talk through the new Support at Home services and what changes may impact you.

If you had an existing Home Care Package provided by UnitingSA prior to 12 September 2024, you will continue to receive the same funding level as your previous Home Care Package.

Under Support at Home your annual budget will be managed quarterly. If you do not spend your quarterly budget you can carry over a maximum of $1,000 or 10 per cent (whichever is greater) to the next quarter.

If you had an existing Home Care Package provided by UnitingSA prior to 12 September 2024, you will be protected by the Government’s “no worse off” provision.

Services Australia will tell you what you may need to co-contribute to the cost of your services. Services Australia may ask for your income and asset information to do this.

Because everyone’s situation is unique – your Care Partner will be able to tell you exactly what your contributions will be from 1 November 2025.

Yes. Under the new model, fees will be more closely linked to the individual services that you use.

The good news is that the Government will cover 100% of all clinical care services.

From 1 November 2025, older Australians will be required to contribute towards non-clinical services. Individual contributions will be based on the type of services used, as well as the person’s income and assets.

Please refer to UnitingSA’s Support at Home pricing schedule for more information.

Perhaps the biggest change in the new program is that care and package management is decreasing to 10%. So this means, you’ll be charged less for package management – and you’ll have more to spend on services.

This change has a flow-on impact to the price you’ll pay for services. Costs that were previously covered in the management fee, now need to be recovered within the service fees.

So while fees for services may have increased, this should be offset by the lower amount you will be charged for package management.

While Support at Home is new … we’re the same.

UnitingSA is still your local, not-for-profit home care provider with over 75 years of aged care experience.

Our team will still be committed to helping you stay independent, healthy and happy in your own home.

Yes. We can’t change your services or fees without getting your consent.

When you meet with your Care Partner they will provide a new agreement for you to sign.

As always – we’re here to support you. We can work with you to ensure that we’re providing the services that best meet your needs.

Call your UnitingSA Care Partner: (08) 8448 6250

Visit the My Aged Care Website: myagedcare.gov.au/improving-australias-aged-care-system