The Australian Government is making big changes to aged care, aiming to offer better support for older Australians who want to stay independent and remain in their homes as they age. These changes, starting from 1 July 2025, are designed to give you more control and confidence in the care you receive while ensuring that the services you rely on remain available and of high quality.
Introduction of the Support at Home Program (Starts 1 July 2025)
The Support at Home program will replace the current Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care Programs, offering more tailored support to meet your needs. It aims to support around 1.4 million Australians by 2035, helping more people remain in their homes and communities longer. This new program provides:
- Clinical care: Fully funded services like nursing, physiotherapy, and other health needs.
- Help with everyday activities: Assistance with tasks such as showering, getting dressed, and taking medications.
- Household support: Services like cleaning, gardening, and meal preparation, which you might contribute to based on your means.
With the new system, there will be eight levels of care compared to the current four, allowing for more flexibility and support options. This means you can get more personalised care that fits your unique needs, with the potential to receive support of up to $78,000 per year, depending on your assessment.
No Worse Off Principle
If you’re already receiving a Home Care Package, you won’t be worse off. The Government’s “no worse off” promise means:
- Your care costs won’t increase, and you’ll continue to get the same level of support you’ve come to rely on.
- Any unspent funds from your current package will carry over into the new system.
- Contributions will remain the same or lower than under your existing arrangements.
Investment in Aged Care
These changes come with a significant investment in aged care:
- $4.3 billion specifically for the Support at Home program.
- $5.6 billion in total for broader aged care reforms, making it the biggest overhaul of the system in over 30 years.
Changes to Funding and Contributions
Under the new program:
- The Government will fully cover the costs of clinical care services (e.g., nursing).
- Contributions towards other services like help with daily activities and household tasks will be means-tested, based on the Age Pension means test.
- A lifetime contribution cap of $130,000 will apply to non-clinical care costs, ensuring no one pays more than this amount.
Home Modifications and Assistive Technology
If you need changes made to your home or special equipment, the new program offers:
- Up to $15,000 in funding for home modifications, like installing rails or ramps.
- Faster access to assistive technology such as walkers and wheelchairs through a new loan scheme, making it easier to move around your home.
End-of-Life Support at Home
We understand the importance of being in a comfortable and familiar environment during life’s final stages. The Support at Home program offers up to $25,000 in extra support during the final three months of life, allowing you to spend your last days at home, surrounded by loved ones.
Improvements to Residential Aged Care
While many of the changes focus on in-home care, there are also improvements for those who need residential care:
- New measures to improve the quality, viability, and funding of residential care.
- Stronger regulations to protect residents, with penalties for breaches and a new independent Complaints Commissioner.
- The treatment of the family home in means testing remains unchanged, providing peace of mind for families.
Transitional Arrangements for Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
If you currently receive services through the CHSP, these will remain in place until 1 July 2027 or later before transitioning to the Support at Home program. This gradual shift allows more time for both providers and clients to adapt to the new system without disruption.
Looking Ahead
These reforms are all about giving you the freedom, choice, and support to live how you want as you age. By combining new investments with continued support, the Australian Government aims to ensure that the aged care system is strong, sustainable, and responsive to your needs now and into the future.
For more information, visit the Australian Government Department of Health website or you can download the Government’s Support at Home Program Handbook here. You can also download the Support at Home Q&As for communication with older people, families and carers – November 2024. And as always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Home Care Assistance Sunshine Coast. We’re here to help you understand what these changes mean for you.
Ref: Australian Government Department of Health website: https://www.health.gov.au/ as at 08.10.24