The new Support at Home Program will be delivered in two stages to minimise disruption and ensure continuity of care for older people.
From 1 July 2025, Support at Home will replace the existing Home Care Packages (HCP) Program and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme.
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), which provides lower levels of support to older people to help them remain at home, will transition to the new program no earlier than 1 July 2027.
The staged approach will give all CHSP providers time to change their business systems and adjust to new payment arrangements. This will ensure they can operate successfully under Support at Home and avoid disruptions for their clients.
Under Support at Home there will be improved access to services, equipment and home modifications to help older people to remain healthy, active and socially connected to their community.
The Department of Health and Aged Care will continue to work with HCP and STRC providers to ensure they are prepared to transition to Support at Home well ahead of 1 July 2025.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Aged Care, Anika Wells:
“The Albanese Government continues to be ambitious for aged care and is committed to delivering a world-leading Support at Home program that will serve the needs of our older people in Australia, now and into the future.
“We will continue to work with in-home aged care providers to deliver a Support at Home program that will simplify and improve access to services for older people.
“I have listened to CHSP providers who have advocated for more time to prepare for reforms to ensure they can transition their operations and clients smoothly. “
