What Every Home Care Client Should Know in 2025

From November 1st 2025, Australia’s aged care system has changed for the better.

A new program, called Support at Home, has replaced the old Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care programs. If you were receiving care under either of these, you don’t need to worry. You’ve automatically transitioned to the new system.

We understand however that changes like this can be confusing, even overwhelming. So, we’ve put together an overview of the changes, why they’re being made, and how they affect you. We hope it helps you and your family more comfortably navigate the new systems, and understand them better.

The Home Care Package and Short-Term Restorative Care programs helped many older Australians stay independent at home. For many, the process was confusing and often hard to understand with slow response times. 

Based on recommendations from the 2021 Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the Federal Government began working on plans to upgrade the system. The result was Support at Home, a unified, simpler, and fairer program designed to make aged care easier to use and more responsive to user needs.

The aim was not to cut services but to make the system work better for everyone. It has:

• Reduced red tape
• Improved service quality
• Provided more user control over your own care

So what exactly did change on November 1st with the introduction of Support at Home? Here’s a recap:

• It merged the Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care programs into a single streamlined program.
  
  
• It introduced a new Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) to assess care needs. The tool is more consistent, and also easier to understand.
  
  
• Your funding arrangements also changed. Instead of a monthly budget, you now receive your funding quarterly. You can also carry over up to $1,000, or 10%, of your unused funds each quarter.
  
  
• All services and products must now be on the approved Support at Home Service List to be eligible for funding. This reduces guesswork and standardises service and product quality.
  
  
• The list of approved services has been expanded. This will give you access to more support, and different types of support including allied health, clinical care, and home modification services.
  
  
• Care Managers are now called Care Partners to better reflect their ‘partnership' role in your care. The support they provide however remains the same.
  
  
• You automatically transitioned to the new system if you received a Home Care Package as at November 1st, 2025 without loss of funding or services.
  
  
• The new pricing structure means lower Care Management Fees, the abolition of Package Management Fees, and updated service costs.
  
  
• You’re now able to pause or suspend your services for up to 12 months without losing access to funding.
  
  
• The Charter of Aged Care Rights has been superseded by a new legal document called the Statement of Rights. The document is embedded into all aged care contracts and sets down what you have the right to expect from your care.  Specifically, it focuses on your right to:

1. 1. Dignity, respect, and independence
   2. Make decisions about your care
   3. Feel safe and heard
   4. Culturally appropriate and inclusive services

• A new Aged Care Code of Conduct is now legally enforceable, and included in all contracts. It applies to everyone who works in aged care including service providers, staff, volunteers, and contractors. It sets down how they must behave, and the standards they must meet. This includes:

1. 1. Respectful and kind behaviour
   2. Safe, competent, and honest service delivery
   3. Zero tolerance for abuse, neglect, or exploitation
   4. Accountability for actions and decisions

Although many things about our aged care system have changed for the better, some things haven’t.

• Eligibility age is still 65 or older (or 50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).
  
  
• You can still choose your service provider
  
  
• Income-tested contributions may still apply in certain circumstances. The government will let you know if it applies to you, and how much this is per service or support category.
  
  
• The focus is still helping you remain independent, safe, and well in your own home.

Although the Support at Home program officially started on 1 November 2025, and your services have already transitioned, it’s not too late to organise things.You can still:

• Review your current services and make sure they’re still meeting your needs.
  
  
• Keep tabs on your budget and ensure you’re using it effectively.
  
  
• Make sure your contact information and preferences with Aged Care Services are up to date.
  
  
• Talk to your service providers about your goals and preferences moving forward. Now is a good time to implement changes.
  
  
• Ask questions. Check how your provider is managing your transition, and your budget and services under the new system.
  
  
• Consider what new services, equipment, or home modifications you might need, and start the conversation now. Early planning helps avoid delays and ensures your funding is used wisely.

Most importantly – remember you’re not alone.

Your provider, like Aunty Grace, is there to guide you through the changes. We’re available to explain your options, and help you make informed decisions that support your independence and wellbeing. We’ll ensure your transition to Support at Home is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Here’s what you can expect with Aunty Grace as your home care service provider:

• Expert Care Partners will support you with the same care and attention we’ve always provided.
  
  
• Transparent pricing that reflects the new rules, with lower fees and transparent service costs.
  
  
• Help with navigating the new system, understanding your budget, and getting the most from your funding.

Why not reach out to our team here at Aunty Grace and let us help you learn how the Support at Home program works.