Support at Home is now in place, and a government update is changing what participants pay for personal care. From 1 October 2026, approved personal care services are fully government funded within your available Support at Home budget.
At Centacare, we’re here to help you understand what these changes mean for your care, whether you already receive support from us or are exploring in-home aged care for the first time.
Support at Home is now operating
Support at Home replaced the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme on 1 November 2025.
The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) continues to provide entry-level support. The government has announced that CHSP grant funding will be extended to 30 June 2029, while it consults on the future of entry-level in-home aged care.
What has changed for personal care
For services delivered from 1 October 2026, you no longer pay a participant contribution for personal care if the service is approved in your support plan and you have available Support at Home funds. Personal care includes help with showering, dressing, eating, personal hygiene, non-clinical continence management and self-administering medication.
For contribution purposes, personal care has moved from the Independence category to the Clinical Supports category. This does not change the services included or who can deliver them. Personal care still draws on your available Support at Home budget. The change removes your contribution; it does not provide an unlimited amount of care. Personal care delivered before 1 October 2026 remains subject to any applicable contribution, even if it is billed or claimed after that date.
What this means for other services
The personal care update does not remove contributions for all Support at Home services. Contributions may still apply to other independence services, such as transport and respite care, and everyday living services, such as cleaning and gardening.
The amount you contribute depends on the services you receive and your individual circumstances, including your income and assets. Eligible people who were receiving or approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024 have contribution protections under the government’s no worse off principle.
More information for Centacare clients
Your Centacare Care Partner can help you understand your approved services, available budget and any contributions that apply. Please contact them if you have questions about how the personal care change affects your support.
How to apply for Support at Home
An aged care assessment determines your eligibility and the services you can access. You can apply through My Aged Care. Once funding is available, you can choose a provider and agree on services to meet your assessed needs and budget.
To talk with Centacare about in-home aged care or the assessment process, call 1300 236 822. You can also contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au.
This article is current as at 1 October 2026. It provides general information based on Australian Government guidance. Your services and contributions depend on your assessment, support plan, available funding and personal circumstances. Program arrangements may change.