Support At Home: All Your Questions Answered!

At Rural Lifestyle Options Australia, we are committed to supporting older Australians, particularly those living in rural and remote areas, by providing access to high-quality, tailored aged care services. As the Australian government rolls out the new Support at Home program, we understand that the changes may raise questions and concerns for our community.

To ensure that our participants and their families are well-informed and prepared for these changes, we have created this Q&A. It aims to clarify the key aspects of the new program, including how it works, what services are available, and how the transition will unfold.

Our goal is to provide clear, accessible information so that our clients can make empowered decisions about their care and continue to live independently and comfortably in their own homes.

Question: What is the new Support at Home program, and when will it start?

Answer: The Support at Home program will replace the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme starting from 1 July 2025. It aims to provide upfront supports to maintain independence, such as allied health services, assistive technology, and home modifications. The program will also introduce new classification and budget levels to better meet individual aged care needs.

Question: What happens to the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)?

Answer: From 1 July 2027, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will transition into the Support at Home program. Until then, CHSP will continue to operate separately for existing clients and new clients with low-level needs.

Question: How will people access services under the Support at Home program?

Answer: A Single Assessment System for aged care will be in place starting 1 July 2025 to assess older people for the Support at Home program. Home care recipients will transition to the new program at their current service levels. Older people on the National Priority System will also transition automatically when a place becomes available, without needing a new assessment unless their needs change.

Question: What will participants receive when assessed into the program?

Answer: Participants will receive a notice of decision with an individual support plan, including a summary of their aged care needs and goals, a classification with an associated quarterly budget, and/or approval for short-term supports such as assistive technology, home modifications, restorative care, or end-of-life pathways.

Question: Can participants change the services they receive?

Answer: Yes, participants can change the mix of services they access from the approved list at any time in consultation with their service provider.

Question: How are classification and budgets determined?

Answer: Support at Home will introduce 8 classifications for ongoing services, replacing the 4 Home Care Package levels. New participants will have their classification and budget determined at assessment based on their needs. Existing Home Care Package clients and those awaiting allocation on the National Prioritisation System will be allocated a budget aligned with their current Home Care Package level. If needs increase in the future, participants will be reassessed into a higher classification.

Question: What are the budget amounts for each classification?

Answer: The indicative budget amounts for each classification are as follows:

• Classification 1: ~$2,750 quarterly, ~$11,000 annually

  
  

• Classification 2: ~$4,000 quarterly, ~$16,000 annually

  
  

• Classification 3: ~$5,500 quarterly, ~$22,000 annually

  
  

• Classification 4: ~$7,500 quarterly, ~$30,000 annually

  
  

• Classification 5: ~$10,000 quarterly, ~$40,000 annually

  
  

• Classification 6: ~$12,000 quarterly, ~$48,000 annually

  
  

• Classification 7: ~$14,500 quarterly, ~$58,000 annually

  
  

• Classification 8: ~$19,500 quarterly, ~$78,000 annually

Home care recipients transitioning to Support at Home will have adjusted budgets:

• Classification 1: ~$2,708 quarterly, ~$10,833 annually

  
  

• Classification 2: ~$4,762 quarterly, ~$19,049 annually

  
  

• Classification 3: ~$10,365 quarterly, ~$41,460 annually

  
  

• Classification 4: ~$15,713 quarterly, ~$62,853 annually

Question: How will service providers operate under the Support at Home program?

Answer: Starting 1 July 2025, each participant will have a single service provider responsible for ensuring services meet their needs within the quarterly budget. Service providers will arrange required assistive technology and/or home modifications. Home Care Package providers will transition into the new program and continue delivering services to their existing recipients.

Question: Can participants manage their care themselves?

Answer: Yes, participants can self-manage their care and services, similar to the current system. They can also source care workers directly with the agreement of their service provider.

Question: Will there be a list of services available under Support at Home?

Answer: Yes, there will be a defined service list outlining the services participants can access under the Support at Home program.

Question: How will care management be funded?

Answer: Care management will be funded at the service provider level, with 10% of each participant's quarterly budget set aside for care management. This includes planning, coordinating services, providing clinical advice and checking in on participants’ needs.

Question: What short-term supports are available under the program?

Answer: Participants can access short-term supports to help them stay independent and reduce reliance on ongoing services. This includes end-of-life supports at home.

Question: How does the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme work?

Answer: The AT-HM Scheme will allow participants to access assistive technology and home modifications without using funds from their individual budgets. Funding tiers are available:

• Low: Under $500

  
  

• Medium: Up to $2,000

  
  

• High: Up to $15,000

Participants can access technology that exceeds the $15,000 cap with a valid prescription from a health professional.

Question: What is the Restorative Care Pathway?

Answer: The Restorative Care Pathway focuses on allied health services to help build participants' strengths and capabilities. Support is available for up to 12 weeks, with the possibility of a 4-week extension. This is an increase from the 8 weeks previously available under the STRC program.

Question: What is the End-of-Life Pathway?

Answer: The End-of-Life Pathway provides participants with 3 months or less to live access to higher levels of in-home care, helping them stay at home longer. Eligible participants can access funding up to $25,000 over 16 weeks.

Question: How are participant contributions structured?

Answer: Participants will make contributions based on the type of service they receive. Contributions will vary:

• No contribution for clinical support services (e.g., nursing, physiotherapy)

  
  

• Moderate contributions for independence services (e.g., personal care, assistive technology)

  
  

• Highest contributions for everyday living services (e.g., domestic assistance, gardening)

  
  

• The amount participants pay will depend on their age pension status, with lower contributions for full pensioners, moderate for part pensioners, and higher for self-funded retirees.

Question: Are there any protections for long-term participants?

Answer: Yes, there will be a $130,000 lifetime cap on non-clinical care contributions to protect those who need aged care for extended periods.

Question: What will the payment arrangements for providers look like?

Answer: Service providers will invoice Services Australia based on services provided, with payment made from the participant's budget. Payments will reflect the cost of services or products, minus any participant contributions.

Question: Will there be grants for providers in rural or remote areas?

Answer: Yes, providers in thin markets, such as rural and remote areas, or those specializing in particular participant groups, can apply for grants to cover operational gaps between expenses and revenue from capped service prices.

Question: What is the Support at Home pooled funding trial?

Answer: Starting 1 July 2025, a pooled funding trial will allow older people in group settings (e.g., retirement villages) to use some or all of their funding more flexibly, such as for a mini-bus service. Providers will be invited to apply for this trial.

Question: How will the program address the needs of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?

Answer: Support at Home will provide culturally safe services for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including access to culturally appropriate care and additional funding for care management hours for service providers supporting these participants.

Question: Does Rural Lifestyle Options Australia currently have capacity to deliver Aged Care Home Care services?

Answer: Yes we do! Reach out by calling 1300 032 175 or by emailing enquiries@rloa.org.au today to find out how we can support you or your loved one.