Funding and fees explained – Support at Home
The Support at Home program is designed to give you clear, easy to understand information about your funding, including any contribution you may need to make.
Government funding
Your funding level will be determined by an Independent Assessment using the Government’s Independent Assessment Tool (IAT), based on your individual needs.
Care management fee
A standard 10% care management fee applies to your package.
Participant contribution
Government subsidies and your personal contributions work together to support your services. Services Australia assesses your income and assets to help determine what you may need to contribute.
Here is a guide to the participant contribution rates:
| Age pension status | Clinical care | Independence | Everyday living |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full pensioner | 0% | 5% | 17.5% |
| Part pensioner and eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card | 0% | Between 5% and 50% depending on income and assets | Between 17.5% and 80% depending on income and assets |
| Self-funded retiree | 0% | 50% | 80% |
Table source: My Aged Care
Grandfathering provisions
If you were approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024, the government has applied a ‘no worse-off’ guarantee.
This means you’ll automatically move to the Support at Home program on 1 November 2025, and your funding will match what you currently receive under your Home Care Package. If you’re a full pensioner currently paying no fees, you’ll continue to pay no fees under Support at Home.
No worse off principle
Our aim is to provide clear and transparent information about your personalised budget and any contributions required, ensuring you understand your options.
No worse off principle contribution rates:
| Age pension status | Clinical care | Independence | Everyday living |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full pensioner | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Part pensioner and eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card | 0% | Between 0% and 25% depending on income | Between 0% and 25% depending on income |
| Self-funded retiree | 0% | 25% | 25% |
Lifetime cap
There is a lifetime cap of $130,000 on total individual contributions. Once this cap is reached, you will not be asked to pay any further individual contributions.
Notification of participant contributions
It is the responsibility of the Australian Government to determine and communicate any contributions you are required to make. ACH Group will support you through this process and provide a personalised budget outlining these costs.
Assistive technology and home modification scheme
This program includes a dedicated scheme to assist with the cost of essential assistive technology (e.g., mobility aids, communication devices) and necessary home modifications (e.g., grab rails, ramps).
This funding helps enhance your safety, independence, and overall quality of life at home.
The funding tiers are based on your assessed needs:
- Low: up to $500
- Medium: up to $2,000
- High: up to $15,000 (additional amounts over $15,000 for assistive technology may be accessed with evidence of need)
Restorative care funding
Funding is available for Restorative Care initiatives aimed at maximising your independence and functional ability.
If eligible, under the Restorative Care Pathway, you may access additional Allied Health services for up to 16 weeks to help you regain and maintain your physical function, confidence and nursing services.
End-of-life care
The End-of-life Pathway provides additional support for home care customers nearing the end of their life.
This funding is available for 12 weeks, with an option to extend for an additional 4 weeks.
ACH Group is here to support you every step of the way
Our experienced team will help make applying and coordinating your Support at Home package a simple and stress-free process.
