Support at Home Program in Sydney and NSW

Support at Home program: What it means for you

• Grandfathered Participants

  If you were either receiving a Home Care Package on the National Priority System, or assessed as eligible for a package on 12 September 2024, you are considered a Grandfathered Participant.

  As a Grandfathered Participant, under the "no worse off" principle, you won't lose any care or funding. This means:

  • Your funding will not decrease 
  • Unspent funds will continue to be available for use
  • Full Pensioners will not pay more in contributions than they do now
  • Part Pensioners and self-funded retirees will continue to pay contributions based on means testing of their income and assets.

  For more information: Support at Home program handbook

• Hybrid/Transitional Participants

  For those newly assessed, you transition into the new Support at Home program as a Hybrid/Transitional Participants, receiving a mix of services from both the former Home Care Package program and the new system. This means:

  • Initially, participants remain on their existing funding levels following the commencement of the Support at Home program on 1 November 2025. Over time, participants move to the eight funding levels, which are designed to better match individual care needs.
  • Any unspent funds from your Home Care Package can be rolled over under the new system. Since 1 November 2025, rollover amounts have been capped at either $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget, whichever is higher.
  • Services are categorised into three distinct areas, with fees based on a percentage of service costs. Your contribution will depend on your income and asset assessments:
    • Clinical Care – Fully funded by the government, meaning no cost to participants.
    • Independence Support – Moderate contributions required.
    • Everyday Living Support – Highest contributions, reflecting limited government funding for these services.

• What is Support at Home?

  Support at Home is a coordinated package of care and services designed to meet the assessed needs of older people who qualify for funded aged care services.   

  Care and services can include ongoing support or short-term interventions, depending upon individual assessed needs.  

  Short term interventions can include restorative care to help regain or maintain independence, assistive technology and home modifications in the home and end of life care for those who need it. Depending on assessed need, the ongoing supports can  include the provision of clinical supports e.g. nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy;  supports to promote independence e.g. personal care, social supports, transport, respite care  and supports for everyday living e.g. domestic assistance, home maintenance and repairs and meals.  

  Support at Home abbreviations for Home Care Services

• Who is eligible for Support at Home program?

  You may be eligible for the Support at Home program if you: 

  • Are 65 years or older (or 50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, or those who are homeless or at risk) 

  • Need help with daily living tasks like personal care, health services, housework, or transport. 

  Eligibility is determined through an aged care assessment based on your individual needs and circumstances.

• What services are available through Support at Home?

  Support is grouped into three areas: Clinical Care, Independence Services and Everyday Living. Services can include nursing, physiotherapy, personal care, respite, transport, cleaning, meals and home maintenance. Fees and contributions depend on your circumstances and the type of care you receive.

  Category	Costs	Examples
  Clinical Care	No contribution/ Free	Nursing, physiotherapy, nutrition, care management
  Independence Services	Requires a moderate contribution	Personal care, mobility aids, respite, transport, social support
  Everyday Living	Needs a higher co-contribution	Cleaning, gardening, shopping, domestic assistance, home maintenance, meals

   

• What are the eight Support at Home funding levels?

  Eight funding classifications for ongoing services have been introduced, with funding from $11,000 to $78,000 per year, based on the outcome of your aged care assessment. These levels are designed to match your care needs—ranging from basic to comprehensive support. 

  Here’s a breakdown of the quarterly funding available at each level: 

  • Level 1 – approx. $2,750 per quarter (basic support for low care needs) 

  • Level 2 – approx. $4,000 per quarter 

  • Level 3 – approx. $5,500 per quarter 

  • Level 4 – approx. $7,500 per quarter 

  • Level 5 – approx. $10,000 per quarter 

  • Level 6 – approx. $12,000 per quarter 

  • Level 7 – approx. $14,500 per quarter 

  • Level 8 – approx. $19,500 per quarter (comprehensive support for high care needs) 

  Grandfathered Participants will stay on the existing Home Care Package funding levels. Hybrid Participants transition to the new eight funding levels.

• Can I switch from my current provider to Catholic Healthcare?

  Yes. You can choose to change providers if Catholic Healthcare better suits your care needs and preferences. As trusted aged care experts with 30 years of experience at Catholic Healthcare we pride ourselves on reliable service and fast response times, so we won't leave you waiting.

  For further information about how we can make changing providers easy, providing you with better care and a bonus click here.

• How much will I contribute/pay towards my care?

  Your contribution depends on factors such as your financial circumstances, the type of care you receive and your individual funding arrangements.  Please find resources below to help you understand fees and contributions.

  • Work out your fees: Use My Aged Care guidance:
    • How much will I pay
    • Help guide for the fee estimator (PDF): Using the aged care home fee estimator
  • Caps on what you pay: See the government’s annual and lifetime fee caps:
    • Changes to aged care fees — annual and lifetime caps
  • If you’re doing it tough: You may be eligible for financial hardship assistance:
    • Financial hardship assistance

  Catholic Healthcare can help you understand the applicable fees and provide guidance on the available options and government fee caps.

  If you’d like help understanding your options or an estimate tailored to you, please call us on 1800 225 474 or complete the form below.