What is ‘Support at Home’?
There are significant changes to in-home care being rolled out from July 2025. The new ‘Support at Home’ program will be replacing current Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care. The new program aims to keep older Australians living in their homes longer through a more efficient, responsive and sustainable system. At Feros Care, we’re dedicated to keeping you updated with the latest changes below.
Latest updates to ‘Support at Home’ timeline
Here are the most current updates to the ‘Support at Home’ timeline.
November 26, 2024
Aged Care Bill 2024 Passed through Parliament
The Australian government announced that the Aged Care Bill 2024 has officially passed through Parliament. This means that a new Aged Care Act will start from 1 July, 2025.
On September 12, 2024, the government also shared details of the new Support at Home program, set to launch 1 July, 2025.
In summary, older Australians can expect the following from the new program:
- Shorter wait times to access home care
- More support levels for home care
- Earlier access to restorative care services, which has been extended from 8 weeks to 12 weeks
- Funding for home modifications
- Support for end-of-life care at home
The Government will cover 100% of clinical care services. Older Australians will be required to contribute towards support services like showering, gardening, and meal preparation.
Learn more about ‘Support at Home’
Stay informed
There are a few ways to stay in touch with updates as we receive them at Feros Care.
The ‘Support at Home’ program timeline
Your easy guide to what’s already happened – and what’s next to come
October 2018
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety is established to look into the quality and safety of aged care in Australia.
March 2021
January 2022
The Federal Government releases the overview and proposed program of the Support at Home Program, initially scheduled to start in July 2023. This is later delayed to July 2024, and then again to July 2025, to allow more time for consultation.
January to July, 2022
December 2022
Early 2023
May 2023
The government establishes a new aged care task force to provide advice in critical areas. They also commence trials of a new assessment tool and an assistive technology loan scheme.
June 2023
March 12, 2024
September 12, 2024
The Australian government introduces the Aged Care Bill 2024 to Parliament, setting the foundation for a new Aged Care Act to commence on 1 July 2025.
They also share details of the new Support at Home program, set to launch in 2025.
In summary, older Australians can expect the following from the new program:
- Shorter wait times to access home care
- More support levels for home care
- Earlier access to restorative care services, which has been extended from 8 weeks to 12 weeks
- Funding for home modifications
- Support for end-of-life care at home
The Government will cover 100% of clinical care services. Older Australians will be required to contribute towards support services like showering, gardening, and meal preparation.
November 25, 2024
The Australian government announced that the Aged Care Bill 2024 has officially passed through Parliament. This means that a new Aged Care Act will start from 1 July, 2025.
July 1, 2025
From 1 July 2025, the Support at Home program is expected to replace the existing Home Care Packages (HCP) Program and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Program.
There will be a transition plan to the new program, which Feros Care will keep you updated on.
July 1, 2027
What do we know about the ‘Support at Home’ program so far?
The new Support at Home program is set to launch in 2025, replacing current Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care.
By 2035, 1.4 million older Australians will benefit from this program, which provides tailored, flexible support to help people remain in their homes and communities longer.
The program will provide a budget to older people, allowing them to access services and support.
Key features of the Support at Home program include:
- Eight levels of ongoing tailored support, with funding up to $78,000 per year.
- Pathways for people needing restorative care or end of life care, and an extension to restorative care services, from 8 weeks to 12 weeks.
- Three categories of support – clinical care (such as nursing), independence (such as help with showering) and everyday living (such as cleaning and gardening).
- Shorter average wait times from assessment to receiving support.
- Support for home modifications, with up to $15,000 to make a home safer.
- Faster access to assistive technology like walkers and wheelchairs through a new equipment loan scheme.
Additional resources about ‘Support at Home’
- This fact sheet provides a summary of the Support at Home program that will commence 1 July 2025 and the contributions participants in the program will pay: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/support-at-home-fact-sheet.pdf
- This PDF document includes a number of case studies about the new Support at Home program: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/case-studies-support-at-home.pdf
- General information about Support at Home, upcoming webinars and much more can be found here: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home
Have your say about the ‘Support at Home’ reform
- Get involved with the consultations by emailing [email protected].
- Regular newsletters and factsheets will be published this year to provide information, progress updates and transition processes for older Australians. Sign up for the Feros Scoop newsletter for regular monthly updates as we receive them.
- If you’re a client, we also communicate all key updates through our free web portal and hub, MyFeros. For help and instructions on how to sign up, click here: myferos.com.au/help
Join the Feros Care Consumer Advisory Body
Have your say on care and service quality, and share this feedback with the Feros Care Executive Team.
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