27 May 2025

Support at Home: What’s Changing and What It Means for Your Care at Home

From November 2025 (formerly 1 July 2025), the Australian Government will roll out a new aged care program called Support at Home, replacing the current Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs.
 
If you're receiving care — or helping a loved one manage theirs — here’s what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and how Lumia Care will guide you through every step of the transition.
 
At Lumia Care, we’re prepared, we’re informed, and we’re right beside you through this transition.

Why the Aged Care System Is Being Updated

Right now, in-home aged care is delivered through several separate government programs — most commonly:

  • Home Care Packages (HCP): long-term support funded by the government to help older Australians remain independent at home. HCPs are available at four levels, depending on the amount of care needed.

  • Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC): early intervention care that helps individuals regain or maintain their independence after a setback. STRC is time-limited and goal-oriented, usually delivered over eight weeks.

While both programs have supported many Australians, they are being replaced to reduce complexity, ensure better continuity of care, and make the system easier to understand and navigate.

What Is Support at Home?

Support at Home is the new aged care program launching on 1 July 2025. It will combine HCP and STRC into a single, streamlined model. The aim is to provide a more consistent and flexible way for older Australians to access the services they need, without having to navigate multiple programs.

Support at Home will:

  • Simplify how services are accessed and funded

  • Allow care levels to adjust as your needs change

  • Make pricing and available services more transparent

  • Help you remain in control of your care decisions

A New Structure: 10 Funding Classifications

One of the biggest changes is the introduction of 10 funding classifications to better match support to your needs:

  • 8 ongoing care levels, ranging from basic assistance to complex care needs

  • 2 short-term pathways:

    • Restorative Care Pathway: for temporary, goal-based support

    • End-of-Life Care Pathway: for people who wish to remain at home during their final stages of life

This new structure is designed to make sure you receive the right amount of care at the right time — without needing to move between programs.

What Else Is Changing?

Support at Home brings a number of key improvements:

  • Simplified access: a single entry point for assessments and services

  • Clearer service options and pricing: a national service list and price caps help ensure transparency

  • More flexibility: adjust your level of support as your needs change

  • Better access to equipment and home modifications: Support at Home connects with the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme. This provides separate funding for eligible aids like grab rails, personal alarms, ramps, walkers and other tools that help you stay safe and independent in your home.

If You're Already Receiving a Home Care Package

If you’re already receiving services under the Home Care Package, Commonwealth Home Support Programme, or STRC, there’s no need to worry. You won’t need to start over, and there will be no disruption to your care.

Here’s what you can expect:

  • Your current funding level will carry over

  • No reassessment required

  • Any unspent funds will roll over into the new program

  • Contribution fees will remain unchanged under the 'No Worse Off' policy

  • Your Lumia Care team will continue delivering your services

The transition will be handled behind the scenes to keep things simple and stress-free for you.

Key Dates to Know

  • Now – June 2025: Continue receiving your current care

  • May 2025: Your Lumia Care Manager will meet with you to explain the changes and review your care plan

  • 1 July 2025: Your services will officially transition to Support at Home

Want to Know More?

Whether you’re already receiving care or just starting to explore your options, we’re here to make the transition to Support at Home simple and stress-free.

If you’re an existing client, your Care Manager is ready to guide you through what’s changing and ensure your plan continues to meet your needs.

If you’re new to aged care, we’d love to help. Call us on 1300 79 68 76, contact us, or click here to learn more about how Support at Home works — and how Lumia Care can support you every step of the way.

References

https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home/about
https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/support-at-home-fact-sheet.pdf
https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home/features
https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-02/support-at-home-program-handbook.pdf
https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home/assistive-technology-and-home-modifications-at-hm-scheme

Please Note

This information is current as of 27 May 2025 and is based on publicly available details about the upcoming Support at Home program. The Government is still in the process of finalising the program, so some aspects may evolve over time. At Lumia Care, we’re committed to keeping you informed — and we’ll continue to update you as more details become available.

Update 04/09/2025

The Australian Government has released 20,000 new Home Care Packages to reduce wait times. If you’re awaiting Support at Home—or need more help now—this boost could bring your start date forward and expand interim supports. Read our explainer to see what this means for you and how to secure a package: 20,000 new Home Care Packages—what this means for you.