Support at Home explained: what aged care in 2026 means for you

If you or someone you love gets a little help at home, you have probably heard that aged care is changing. There is a new Aged Care Act, and a new program called Support at Home. It is a lot of new words at once, so let us make it clear and calm.

Here is what has changed, what it means for you, and how we help you make the most of it. You stay in control. We are simply here to help.

What has changed, in one breath

On 1 November 2025, the new Aged Care Act 2024 began. On the same day, a new program called Support at Home replaced the old Home Care Packages and the Short-Term Restorative Care programme.

If you were already on a Home Care Package, you did not have to do a thing. You moved across to Support at Home automatically, and your budget was matched to the package you had. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme is staying as it is for now and will join Support at Home no earlier than July 2027.

Support at Home, in plain language

Support at Home is built to help you keep living in your own home, your way, for longer. A few things are genuinely better:

• More funding levels. There are now eight levels of funding, ranging from around $11,000 to about $78,000 a year. That means the help can fit your needs more closely than the old four levels did.
• Budgets you can see. Funding comes in quarterly budgets, so it is clearer what is available and easier to plan.
• Three simple service groups. Your supports sit in three easy-to-follow buckets: Clinical Care (like nursing and physiotherapy); Independence (like help with showering, dressing or managing medication); and Everyday Living (like cleaning, gardening and meal preparation).

The aim is straightforward: more of the right help, matched to what matters most to you.

Stronger standards, for your peace of mind

The new Aged Care Act also raises the bar for quality and safety. Providers now work to the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, which put your rights, your dignity and your say at the centre of your care.

For you, that means clearer expectations of your provider and more confidence that the support coming through your door is safe, respectful and built around you.

What this means for you and your family

Change can feel like a lot, so here is the steadying bit:

• If you were already getting a Home Care Package, your supports continued, and your budget came with you.
• If you are new to in-home aged care, Support at Home is the program you will hear about, and the place to start is a free assessment through My Aged Care.
• The biggest improvements are more funding levels and clearer budgets, so help can be shaped more closely around your life.

A good next step is simple: think about what would make daily life easier and safer at home, and talk it through with someone who knows the new system well.

Live well at home, with greater support

You know your home and your routine better than anyone. Our job is to help you stay in it with comfort, confidence and a little more ease, and to take the confusion out of the new rules along the way.

Our team across New South Wales and Queensland is right across the Support at Home changes. Whether you are sorting out a new arrangement, moving across from a Home Care Package, or helping a parent work out their options, we are here to explain it kindly and clearly.

Want to know what Support at Home could look like for you? Reach out to our friendly team. We will help you take the next step with confidence.

This article is general information only and reflects what was known in June 2026. Aged care rules and timelines can change. For the latest official detail, visit myagedcare.gov.au or speak with your provider.