From 1 July 2025, Home Care in Australia will begin to change in several important ways.
These changes are part of the national Aged Care Reform, which aims to make care safer, simpler and more focused on your needs and rights.
At Lutheran Services, our support has always been built on respect, partnership and genuine connection. We’ll walk alongside you — helping you understand what’s changing and what’s not. Importantly, we’ll continue to tailor care that supports your independence, your goals, and your sense of belonging.
The Australian Government is making positive changes to aged care. These changes — known as the Aged Care Reforms — will improve aged care in Australia now and into the future.
Many of the changes are in response to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. The reforms aim to deliver the highest quality person-centred care for older people, where and when they need it.
The changes are designed to achieve six main outcomes:
Not sure what to expect with Support at Home? Come along to our free information sessions hosted by Lutheran Services Home Care and have all your questions answered.
For current Home Care Package (HCP) clients:
These short-term pathways are designed to help Support at Home participants remain independent, without relying on ongoing services, while also providing an option for end-of-life support.
If you are a current Lutheran Services Home Care client and you would like more information about the transition to Support At Home, please contact your local home care office.
If you are new to home care and would like some further information on how to get started, please click the button below to get in touch with our friendly team.
You’ll notice new language being used – reflecting our commitment to partnering with you, including:
If you are a current home care package client:
All aged care services, including CHSP, HCP and Support at Home, will follow the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards from 1 July 2025. These standards aim to:
The new Aged Care Act includes a Statement of Rights for older people accessing aged care services. It gives you the right to:
Make your own life choices
Have your decisions respected
Get support and info to decide
Share what you want and need
Feel safe and valued
Have your culture and identity respected
Support at Home is the Australian Government’s new aged care program designed to simplify and improve access to in-home care services for older Australians.
It will replace the current Home Care Packages (HCP) Program and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme.
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will remain in place until at least 1 July 2027 when it is planned to merge with the Support at Home Program.
Participants can retain and use their Home Care Package unspent funds until they reach a balance of $0. You will not lose your funding when you are re-assessed and there is no time limit on using the remaining funds.
You may choose to use the unspent balance to pay for more services, or you may like to put it towards things like assistive technologies and home modifications, if approved.
Home Care participants and people on the National Priority System who are waiting for a Home Care Package will transition to Support at Home from 1st July 2025. You will not need to be reassessed.
The Support at Home funding that you will receive, will match the same level of funding as your Home Care Package.
Support at Home is scheduled to commence from 1 July, 2025. Until then, existing programs like Home Care Packages will continue.
Eligibility will be similar to the current aged care programs. Older Australians requiring assistance to remain living independently at home will need an assessment through the Single Assessment Service. ACAT and RAS will cease to exist from 1 July 2025.
The program provides flexible, personalised services to meet individual needs. Support at Home expands on the current 4 Home Care Package levels, offering 8 levels of care.
It includes an integrated assessment focusing on an older person’s physical, emotional, social, and mental health to enhance overall wellbeing.
Care levels range from 1 (entry-level) to 8 (high-level clinical care), based on care needs.
Additionally, there are 3 new short-term classifications:
Restorative Care Pathway (e.g., allied health services to improve independence)
End-of-Life Pathway (additional services for those with less than 3 months to live, supporting home care)
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications Scheme (funded separately)
Services are primarily funded by the Australian Government, with participants contributing based on their means and circumstances. Financial assessments will determine the participant’s contribution level. Financial assessments are undertaken by Services Australia.
Clients with a current Home Care Package, will transition over to Support at Home with their current funding and care level in place. They will not transition to a new Support at Home care level, until they are reassessed.
Support at Home aims to be more user-friendly by offering:
Yes, participants will have the freedom to choose their service provider, ensuring they can find a provider that best meets their needs.
The program includes a wide range of in-home care services across 3 categories:
1. Clinical Supports:
2. Independence:
3. Everyday living:
Please click here to find the full Support at Home service list.
Short-term pathways are designed to help Support at Home participants remain independent, without relying on ongoing services, while also providing an option for end-of-life support. These include:
You can apply through My Aged Care, where an assessor will help determine your needs and connect you to services.
You can visit the website here or call them directly on 1800 200 422.
For more details, visit the Support at Home section of My Aged Care, or get in touch with our friendly Home Care team. We’re happy to help guide you through the process.
The new Aged Care Act includes a Statement of Rights for older people accessing aged care services. It gives you the right to:
Make your own life choices
Have your decisions respected
Get support and info to decide
Share what you want and need
Feel safe and valued
Have your culture and identity respected
Stay connected to your community
For more information on the Statement of Rights, please click here.
Lutheran Services has been serving our community since 1935. Since then, we have continued the Lutheran tradition of care, now providing services and support to over 6,000 people every year.
