What is ‘Support at Home’?
A major in-home aged care reform, called ‘Support at Home’, is set to be rolled out from July 2025. You may have seen this reform in the news, as it’s been in the works for some time. The key goal of this reform is to keep older people supported in their homes, through a more timely, efficient, responsive and financially sustainable system. At Feros Care, we’re consistently preparing for the changes, and look forward to seeing our clients reap the rewards of the new system.
Latest updates to ‘Support at Home’ timeline
Here are the most current updates to the ‘Support at Home’ timeline.
March 12, 2024
Aged Care Taskforce Final Report released
The government released the Aged Care Taskforce Final Report. The Council of Ageing (COTA) highlights that among the report’s recommendations, it addresses access to aged care for all – regardless of their capacity to pay, as well as improved consumer protections.
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.
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.
The ‘Support at Home’ timeline
Your easy guide to what’s already happened – and what’s next to come
October 2018
March 2021
January 2022
January to July, 2022
July 2022
December 2022
Early 2023
May 2023
June 2023
The Australian Government releases a roadmap on all reform activity. The roadmap runs through indicative timelines for reform elements from October 2022 to July 2025, including consultation activities and events. Click here to find the roadmap.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission announces that all providers are required to introduce Consumer Advisory Bodies for consumers and their representatives. Click here for more information, or click here to express your interest.
February 27, 2024
Support at Home Q&A webinar
1:00pm – 2:30pm AEDT, Tuesday 27 February 2024
Hosted by Nick Morgan, Assistant Secretary of Support at Home Reform Branch, this online Q&A session will give seniors, families, and carers the chance to ask questions about the new Support at Home program. Questions may be submitted prior.
March 12, 2024
Aged Care Taskforce Final Report released
The government released the Aged Care Taskforce Final Report. The Council of Ageing (COTA) highlights that among the report’s recommendations, it addresses access to aged care for all – regardless of their capacity to pay, as well as improved consumer protections.
July 2024
Several initiatives come into effect, including:
- The new Aged Care Regulatory Model
- The new National Worker Screening for Aged Care requirements
- The new Rights-Based Aged Care Act
- The strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards
The aged care Single Assessment System will also commence.
July 1, 2025
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 ‘Support at Home’ so far?
The consultation process continues; however, key information on the reform so far indicates the following changes are being considered:
- The new program will see clients having an assessment at home or in hospital. An independent assessor will then meet with a client to jointly set an initial support plan, with a quarterly budget plus a 25% funding pool for additional requirements that occur.
- Clients can either access short-term support for independence or ongoing supports at home.
- Short-term support includes goods, assistive technology, home modifications, short-term allied health and specialised support services – including equipment loan schemes.
- Ongoing support can be with one provider or multiple, and services can be adjusted within the quarterly budget. Any unspent funds will be returned to the government and not retained by the client for future use.
- Goods and equipment funding will be separate to home care funding.
- Client contributions will likely be set by capacity to pay.
- The ongoing support includes clinical care partners for those who need help to manage their plans, access to extra services for temporary needs, and regular reports on services and budget.
- There is a recommendation for a flexible model for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Additional resources about ‘Support at Home’
- The 2023 Engagement Calendar goes through a list of planned government activities. View 2023 Engagement Calendar
- The Older Australian Fact Sheet No.1 helps to prepare older Australians who are supported by Commonwealth funded in-home aged care services, their families and carers to transition to the new program. Download Older Australian Fact Sheet
- The Department’s discussion paper outlines the issues raised, the areas of focus for process design, and an indicative model of what the new program could look like. Read in-home aged care discussion paper
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
Stay informed of reform updates
Fill in the form below to subscribe to our Feros Scoop email newsletter. Receive monthly updates about ‘Support at Home’, as well as feel good stories and other great tips and resources.
