Training Example: Aged Care Decisions – Review the Data, Give Your Score & Compare to the Real AI Evaluation

[H4] FREE SUPPORT

[H1] Helping Families
Find Aged Care

Receive a Free Customised List of Home Care Providers or Residential Aged Care Room Vacancies.

Find home care

Find Aged Care

Find home care

find aged care

[H2] 100% FREE SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES

[H2] Make Informed Decisions in Aged Care

Aged Care Decisions is Australia’s Largest Home Care Provider & Residential Aged Care Comparison Service.We take the stress and running around out of finding the best provider in your area.

[H3] Find Home Care Providers
Aged Care Decisions helps match elderly Australians looking for in-home care services with home care providers.

[H3] Find Aged Care Homes
Get Vacancies in Aged Care Facilities and make an independent and hassle-free decision with no stress, for FREE!

[H3] Find Urgent Respite Care
A short-term respite care stay an aged care facility can help you decide if a permanent move is the right choice for you.

[H3] Need Aged Care Help?
We will assist in any way we can and are always ready to take your call. You can contact us at 1300 775 870 or fill in this form.

[H2] Find Home Care Providers
Aged Care Decisions helps match elderly Australians looking for in-home care services with home care providers.

[H3] Find Aged Care Homes
Get Vacancies in Aged Care Facilities and make an independent and hassle-free decision with no stress, for FREE!

[H3] Find Urgent Respite Care
A short-term respite care stay at an aged care facility can help you decide if a permanent move is right for you.

[H3] Need Aged Care Help?
We will assist in any way we can and are always ready to take your call. Call us on 1300 775 870 or fill in this form.

[H2] 100% FREE

[H2] Service for Families

Aged Care Decisions is a fast, free and independent service that works with families to assist in finding both home care providers & residential aged care for a loved one.

FIND AGED CARE

FIND HOME CARE

FIND AGED CARE

FIND HOME CARE

100% FREE

[H2] Service for Families

Aged Care Decisions is a fast, free and independent service that works with families to assist in finding both home care providers & residential aged care for a loved one.

Find home care

Find Aged Care

NEED HELP WITH AGED CARE FINANCES?

[H2] Understand Aged Care Fees, Costs, Finances and Funding

Confused about aged care costs? Means testing, government contributions, home care costs and residential aged care fees can feel overwhelming. Our aged care funding guide explains the key costs and funding options, so you can feel more confident when planning care for yourself or a loved one.

VIEW THE AGED CARE FUNDING GUIDE

[IMG: Older couple reading the Support At Home costs and fees report]

ABOUT US

[H2] Bringing Together Care Providers & Families

Our Placement Specialists will prepare a customised list of home care providers or residential aged care room vacancies that match the family’s care needs, budget, preferred location and timeline. This allows families to make an independent and hassle-free decision with less stress, all for FREE!

our Story

What’s Changing in Aged Care?

[H2] Discover the new Support at Home Program

Have you heard about the big changes to in-home aged care? The Support at Home Program has replaced Home Care Packages, offering more flexibility and choice for families. Curious how this could affect you or your loved ones? Learn more about Support at Home today.

Take me to the support at home hub

[H2] HOW CAN WE ASSIST YOU

[H3] Every Step of The Way

Our Placement Specialists are ready to take your call and assist with your search for home care providers or residential aged care room vacancies near you.We also support aged care and support at home providers with placement services and assist Health Care Referrers, such as Social Workers, GP’s and other Health Professionals with urgent patient placement.

[H3] Placing a Family Member

[H3] A Home Care Provider

[H3] An Aged Care Provider

TESTIMONIALS

[H2] What our Families
Say...

Aged Care Decisions is a fast, free and independent service that works with families to find Home Care Providers & Residential Aged Care for a loved one.Our trained Aged Care Specialists will prepare a customised list of providers within your area, matching the needs and preferences of the person entering residential, respite or home care.

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Trustpilot

AGED CARE DECISIONS

[H2] Find Aged Care with Ease

Our fees are paid by aged care providers. This means that families are always in control and every decision is made by you.

FIND AGED CARE OPTIONS

Our fees are paid by aged care providers. This means that families are always in control and every decision is made by you.

FIND AGED CARE OPTIONS

[H2] SAVE TIME

We match your preferences to suitable options, so that you receive a customised list of Aged Care or Home Care Providers within seconds.

[H3] REDUCE STRESS

We provide a 100% Free of charge service with personalised advice, nursing home vacancy shortlists, aged care fees information, and decision making tools.

[H3] YOUR DECISION

You can compare and choose from aged care facilities or home care providers, to make the best decision for your family.

[H3] CUSTOMISED

We will send you a completely tailored, aged care services options report based on your specified needs and requirements.

[H3] SAVE TIME

We match your preferences to suitable options, so that you receive a customised list of Aged Care or Home Care Providers within seconds.

[H3] REDUCE STRESS

We provide a 100% Freeof charge service withpersonalised advice,nursing home vacancyshortlists, aged carefees information, anddecision making tools.

[H3] YOUR DECISION

You can compare andchoose from aged carefacilities or home careproviders, to makethe best decision foryour family.

[H3] CUSTOMISED

We will send you a completely tailored, aged care services options report based on your specified needs and requirements.

[IMG: smiling happy old woman]

Trusted Nationwide Coverage

[H2] We Work with the Largest Network of Home Care Providers in Australia

We work with more than 70% of metropolitan home care providers across Australia. This gives you access to a wide range of providers in your local area, so you can compare options and choose what feels right for your family.Our network includes providers in:SydneyMelbourneBrisbanePerthAdelaideCanberraHobartDarwin

Not located in a capital city? We work with providers across Australia and can help you find the right care wherever you’re based.

FIND OPTIONS

INFORMATION

[H2] Latest News & Articles

At Aged Care Decisions we have created a convenient location to deliver the latest news and articles for information on Home Care and Aged Care.

Start reading

[H2]
Ageing at Home Cost: Does Support at Home Funding Cover Everything?

Support at Home program offers vital assistance for older Australians, but rarely covers all expenses. Funding gaps frequently leave families to privately finance essential extras, making ageing at home a growing, self-funded co-contribution model.

READ MORE

[H2]
Age Pension Gifting Rules: How Much Money Can You Gift?

Did you know gifting money to your children or grandchildren could affect your Age Pension and aged care fees? Centrelink’s gifting rules can have a bigger impact than many families realise.

READ MORE

[IMG: Get your copy of the Winter 2026 Australian Carers Guide]

[H1] Support at Home Program: Everything You Need to Know

[H4] CONTENTS

Jump to the section you need

Introduction to SAH

What is the SAH Program?

What’s Changed?

Where You Fit? New

Transitioned HCP Classifications New

What if I already have a Home Care Package?

Home Care Package vs Support at Home

New Support at Home Categories

New Short Term Pathways

New Support at Home Levels

How to Access Support at Home

Eligibility Criteria

Fees & Contributions

Choosing the Right Provider

FAQs

Support At Home Resources

Support At Home Guide  New

[H2] Support at Home Program

The Australian Government launched Support at Home in November 2025, replacing previous home care systems to give older Australians a fairer and more flexible way to access care. Designed to help you live independently, safely and comfortably, the program provides tailored funding budgets to suit your specific needs.Support at Home continues to evolve, with the government recently announcing that  showering, dressing and continence support will be fully funded and exempt from co-contributions from October 2026.Whether you are already receiving Support at Home services, transitioning from an older package or exploring care options for the first time, this guide explains everything you need to know about the program.

Last Updated: 23/04/2026

New to Support At Home

Existing HCP recipient

[H2] What is the Support at Home Program?

The Support at Home program is part of the Australian Government’s plan to improve in-home aged care, helping older people live independently at home for longer.This new model was developed following the Royal Commission into Aged Care, which identified gaps in the industry that needed to be addressed.Support at Home is designed to:Provide simpler access to in-home aged care servicesOffer greater flexibility to tailor support to individual needsEnsure consistency and fairness across the systemStrengthen quality and safety standards for older Australians

[IMG: a nursing home cost in Australia]

For more information, visit:health.gov.au/support-at-homehealth.gov.au/our-work/hcphealth.gov.au/our-work/short-term-restorative-care-strc-programmeCHSP vs Support at Home

[H2] What changed with Support at Home?

In November 2025, Support at Home officially replaced the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Program. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will transition into Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027.The program gives older Australians easier access to services, equipment and home modifications that support their health, independence and community connections.Key features include:Restorative Care Pathway – multidisciplinary allied health services to maintain and improve independence.Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme – funding for products, equipment and home modifications to meet assessed needs.End-of-Life Pathway – dedicated funding to support people to remain at home in their last three months of life.In short, Support at Home aims to create a more transparent, responsive and person-centred aged care system, making it easier for older Australians and their families to navigate and receive the care they need.Get in touch with us here for more.

[H2] Support at Home Transition Dates& Where You Fit

[IMG: The Support at Home Transition Categories: Grandfathered Participants, Transitional Participants & New Participants]
Three participant pathways exist for Support at Home transition: Grandfathered participants approved before 12 September 2024 automatically transition with no-worse-off protections; Transitional participants approved after that date but before 1 November 2025 enter under new pricing arrangements; New participants approved from 1 November 2025 onwards face full Support at Home application requirements with mandatory contributions unless hardship approved.

[H2] If You’re Transitioning from a Home Care Package

[IMG: Home Care Packages to Support at Home 2025]
From 1 November 2025, Home Care Packages will transition to the Support at Home program expanding from four funding levels with annual budgets ranging from $10,931 to $63,440, to eight classifications with an annual budget of up to $78,106 per year. This change represents increased funding flexibility and higher maximum support for eligible participants.

[H3] Grandfathered Participants

If you were assessed or approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024, you will have been grandfathered into the new Support at Home program on 1 November 2025. Grandfathered participants are protected by the ‘no worse off’ principle (NWOP), meaning the percentage of costs you are asked to contribute will not increase under Support at Home.You will automatically transition to the new program without needing to reapply or undergo reassessment. You will retain your existing package level and any unspent Home Care Package funds, which can continue to be used for services available under Support at Home, including assistive technology and home modifications where appropriate. There are transitional classifications for HCP recipients: for example, an HCP Level 1 becomes “Transitioned HCP Level 1” under Support at Home, with a defined quarterly and annual budget.

[H3] ‘No worse off’ Principle (NWOP)

If you were assessed or approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024, you will be covered by the ‘no worse off’ principle (NWOP). The percentage of costs you are asked to contribute will stay the same or be lower:

If you don’t pay fees for your Home Care Package,you will never pay fees for Support at Home, evenif you are re-assessed to a higher classification.If you do pay fees for your Home Care Package, youwill pay the same or lower under Support at Home.The $86,185.23 lifetime cap (indexed) remains in place.

[H3] National Priority System
If you are on the National Priority System awaiting a Home Care Package, you will move to the Support at Home Priority System. Your budget will be allocated once a place becomes available, and it will match your assessed HCP funding. A new assessment is only required if your care needs change.

[H3] Service Prices May Differ
Service prices may differ under Support at Home, but government protections ensure costs are fair and transparent. Providers will communicate any changes to your in-home care arrangements ahead of time. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is working closely with providers to make the transition as smooth as possible and minimise any impact on your care.

Read More: What you need to do to prepare to move to Support at Home.Read More: Find out where you fit in with Support at HomeRead More: Support at Home price list

[H2] Transitioned Home Care Packages Classifications

Existing Home Care Package (HCP) participants before 1 November 2025 will maintain their current funding when they move to the Support at Home program. Each person will be assigned a corresponding Transitioned HCP Level 1, 2, 3 or 4, with the same annual funding provided on a quarterly basis. From 1 November 2025, new participants in Support at Home will be assessed under the new eight classifications.

[H2] Home Care Packages vs Support at Home: What’s Changed?

The Support at Home Program is designed to bring together multiple home support programs into one streamlined system. Its goal is to reduce confusion, cut red tape, and give older Australians more choice and control over the services they receive.

[H3] Home Care Packages (HCP)
Home Care Packages (HCP) catered to older Australians who needed long‑term support to live independently at home. The program offered four levels of care and provided services such as personal care, domestic assistance, nursing, and allied health, tailored to each person’s specific needs.

[H3] Support at Home (SAH)
Designed to deliver flexible funding and high-quality care, this program replaced the Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs on 1 November 2025. It is split into eight classifications of tailored support, allowing for a more individualised approach to care.

Learn more: Home Care Package vs Support at Home

[IMG: A table comparing the differences between the Support at Home Program and Home Care Packages]
Support at Home introduces significant reforms including a shift from 4 funding levels to 8 classifications plus short-term pathways, increased maximum funding to $78,106, quarterly budgets with rollover provisions, capped care management at 10%, means-based contributions replacing income tests, separate Assistive Technology-Home Modifications Funding (AT-HM), enhanced short-term and end-of-life support, and an Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) replacing the previous ACAT system.

[IMG: Find a Home Care Provider that you will love! Contact Aged Care Decisions today.]

[H2] The 3 Support at Home Categories

Support at Home provides funding for services that help seniors stay safe, healthy and independent in their own homes. The program covers medical care, everyday living assistance and social support, ensuring older Australians can maintain their quality of life while staying connected to their communities.

From October 2026 showering, dressing and toileting will be fully funded under Clinical Care

[IMG: The 3 Support at Home Categories: Clinical, Independence & Everyday Living & what the services included]
Support at Home services are organized into three categories: Clinical covers nursing, occupational therapy, restorative care, continence support and nutrition; Independence encompasses personal care, respite services, social support, transport services and home safety modifications; Everyday Living includes domestic assistance, meal preparation, gardening, home maintenance and shopping, with contribution requirements varying by category and participant funding status.

[H2] The Support at Home Categories Explained

[H3] Clinical Care
This category is fully funded by the government and covers essential medical and health services. It includes nursing (like wound care & medication management), allied health services (physiotherapy & occupational therapy) continence support and nutritional management.From October 2026 showering, dressing and toileting will be fully funded under Clinical Care.Clinical care ensures seniors receive the professional medical support they need to stay healthy at home.

[H3] Independence Support
These services help seniors maintain daily independence and social connections, though some costs may apply. Services include general personal assistance ( like mobility support & eating), social support (group outings & technology assistance), therapeutic services (massage & art therapy), short-term respite care and transport options.From October 2026 showering, dressing and toileting will be fully funded under Clinical Care.Independence support helps seniors live safely and actively while remaining connected to their communities

[H3] Everyday Living
This category covers practical help to keep a home safe and functional. Services include domestic assistance (cleaning, laundry & errands), meal preparation, minor home maintenance, and gardening. It also includes funding for assistive technology (wheelchairs, walking aids & smart home devices) and home modifications (ramps, handrails & accessible bathrooms).Special programs, like restorative care and end-of-life care, provide extra support for recovery or staying at home in later stages of life.

[H2] The 2 New Short-Term Pathways

[H2] Restorative Care Pathway
The Restorative Care Pathway helps seniors regain independence with daily activities, supporting them to continue enjoying the things they love and potentially reducing the need for additional services.

Through this program, you can:Access up to 12 weeks of restorative care. Receive an extra budget of around $6,000 (or up to $12,000 if needed) for allied health services.Use restorative care on its own or alongside your ongoing Support at Home services.Access assistive technology and home modifications through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme if required.

Learn more about the new Restorative Care Pathway and and how it can support your independence, wellbeing, and access to essential aged care services.

[H2] End-of-Life Pathway
The End-of-Life Pathway helps seniors remain at home during their final three months of life. You can be referred for a high-priority Support Plan Review to access this pathway, even if you are not currently receiving Support at Home.

Through this program, you can:
Access urgent, higher-level funding for in-home aged care services if diagnosed with three months or less to live.
Use assistive technology through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme if needed.
Receive up to $25,000 in funding over 12 weeks, with up to 16 weeks to use the funds for flexibility.

If additional services are needed beyond 12 weeks, an assessment can be requested to continue receiving Support at Home services. This pathway complements other in-home palliative care provided by state and territory governments.You can also learn more about Support at Home’s End-of-Life Pathway here.

[H2] Support At Home Classifications

[IMG: what support at home will pay for]

[H3] The 8 Classifications & Budgets

The shift from four Home Care Package levels to eight Support at Home Classifications reflects the government’s commitment to tailoring services more precisely to individual care needs. By offering more detailed tiers, the program better aligns funding and services with a person’s evolving health, mobility, and daily living challenges. These eight classifications bridge the gap between basic assistance and complex in-home care, ensuring that Australians receive the right type of support at the right time, reducing risks of hospitalisation and premature entry into residential care. Each classification comes with a defined budget, allocated quarterly and annually, allowing recipients to access approved services tailored to their care needs.Below is an overview of the types of care typically provided at each Support at Home Classification, alongside the indicative annual funding amounts.

[IMG: A table with the 8 Support at Home Classifications, the quarterly budget, annual budget and care overview]
Support at Home introduces significant

[H4] THE REAL COST OF AGED CARE:

[H1] Aged Care Fees, Costs, Finances & Aged Care Funding Guide

Aged care costs can feel overwhelming, especially when families are trying to understand home care costs, residential aged care costs, government aged care funding and what they may need to pay out of pocket. This guide cuts through the complexity so you can understand the main aged care costs, how fees are calculated and how to plan for care with more confidence.

Get Your Free Aged Care Provider Options & Costs Report

[IMG: Older couple reading the Support At Home costs and fees report]

[IMG: Rachel Lane Partnership banner]

Aged Care Decisions has partnered with aged care finance expert Rachel Lane to answer your fees, finances and funding questions, so you can make confident decisions for your family.Read More >>

[H4] What's In This Aged Care Funding & Cost Guide

Jump to the section you need

How Much Does Aged Care Cost in Australia?

The Real Cost of Staying at Home

Support at Home Costs & Fees: What You May Need to Pay

Support at Home Short Term Support Options

Hidden Aged Care Funding Gaps

Residential Aged Care Costs: 5 Main Fees to Understand

RAD Vs. DAP: The Key Accommodation Decision

What Is The Aged Care Means Test?

What If I Cannot Afford Aged Care?

How Most Families Actually Fund Aged Care

About the Partnership

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources New

[IMG: Author Stephanie Burdett]

[H1] Stephanie Burdett

Content Writer · Aged Care Decisions

Disclaimer: This page provides general information only and is not personal financial advice.Page last updated 17/06/2026

Read the video transcript

Andrew Henderson: Welcome, Rachel, and thanks for joining us here today. Really excited to talk about the partnership between Aged Care Gurus and Aged Care Decisions. For context, for those watching, my name is Andrew Henderson. I’m the Co-Founder and CEO of Aged Care Decisions. More importantly, you’re the Principal of Aged Care Gurus, an organisation which broadly helps people through the maze of financial decisions in the aged care sector. Rachel Lane: Yeah, that’s it. That’s our passion. Our passion is to demystify what things are going to cost, what the impact will be on their pension, whether or not they’re eligible for rent assistance, their contributions towards Support at Home, residential aged care — the numbers to it. Andrew Henderson: Yeah. And I thought it’d be important to share with you because I’m actually keen to hear your story. When we started Aged Care Decisions, Ken, my business partner, and I had two very separate, very independent experiences in the aged care sector, but both impacted our families quite deeply. We knew each other at the time, of course, and we came together and said, surely there must be something we could do to make the journey in aged care less stressful and a little bit easier for families going through that decision. That’s sort of what gave birth to Aged Care Decisions for us. I’m keen to hear how you arrived in the sector and why you do what you do. Rachel Lane: Oh goodness. I arrived in the sector 22 years ago as a very young financial planner and fell into this space around retirement living and aged care. I think the reason I loved it so much, and loved the clients so much, was because I’d grown up with my grandmother. I just loved the clients, and they loved me. It was something that drove me to still work in the sector 22 years later. Andrew Henderson: And you would have seen it change a lot over that time. Rachel Lane: It has. Unfortunately, the complexity has gotten worse, I think, over that period of time. That’s really what we’re passionate about — making sure that before people sign on the dotted line, they understand what it’s going to cost them. Andrew Henderson: Just from the perspective of what Aged Care Decisions does, we help thousands of families every single month. The main thing we focus on is helping them understand the decisions they’re going to have to make and ultimately driving towards making sure we help them find a provider or a home that they love. The one thing we don’t do a lot of work in, because it’s not our area of expertise, is the financial side and some of those financial decisions and considerations that they have to think about. So, I’m keen to hear a little bit more about your organisation and, in particular, what sort of help you can provide and what some of the fears and concerns are that people present with. Rachel Lane: Yeah. This is why we’re so excited about this partnership. We really want people to be well-informed about these decisions. We have the Village Guru software, where people can get a Village Guru report about Support at Home, retirement villages, land lease communities and residential aged care. It crunches the numbers, so it will tell them what it’s going to cost in ongoing outgoings, and it provides them with an estimate of their age pension and rent assistance payments, and also their contributions, whether that’s Support at Home or residential aged care. We also have a fantastic national network of financial advisers who specialise in retirement living and aged care, and they can provide really great advice to those customers who need it. Andrew Henderson: Do you find there’s a big difference between a family that prepares up front versus those who are almost forced to do it last minute? And what does that preparation look like? Rachel Lane: Oh, huge difference. I guess the most common question that people come to me with is, “Should I sell my house or keep my house?” There’s not really a simple answer to that. You need to understand how it’s going to impact your contributions. Normally, this question is asked if they’re moving into residential aged care, but sometimes it’s being asked in relation to Support at Home because they’re downsizing to get access to their Support at Home and private care services as a top-up. That question has so many mechanisms. You can keep your house and have an exemption applied to it for pension, but if you keep your house, it’s assessed up to a capped value for residential aged care. There are lots of moving parts. That’s probably the most common question we hear when it comes to finances. But now with Support at Home, and even to a lesser extent residential aged care, because it is so tightly linked to age pension means testing, we find that these decisions really do turn multiple wheels. When you’re doing something that can improve your pension, you are doing something, as a general rule, that will reduce your Support at Home or your residential aged care contributions. Andrew Henderson: The amount of assistance that you can provide families — as I said, I know what we do, but just hearing the complexity of what you’re talking about, families really do need to get that help, don’t they? Rachel Lane: They do. I guess that’s one of the reasons why, with the Village Guru reports, we try to set that information out really simply, and we try to make it as informative as we can. Ultimately, even if they’re going to go and speak to Centrelink, their accountant, their financial adviser or their lawyer, we want them to have that understanding of what it is that they’re contemplating doing and what that’s likely to cost them before they start going down the road of making big decisions, like whether to keep or sell the family home. Andrew Henderson: As you said, signing on the bottom line. Rachel Lane: Yeah. You’d be amazed at how many people sign on the dotted line before they know the cost. It’s truly frightening to me. Andrew Henderson: One thing we’re particularly excited about — and you talked about your unique software — is the adaptation we’ve done for the Support at Home co-contribution calculator. Rachel Lane: Yeah, a long name for a really important tool. Andrew Henderson: We’ve been able to adapt that together, so thank you for accommodating our clients. For our viewers’ sake, the way that’s going to work is once they connect with the aged care specialists and we go through finding out their care needs, preferences and some of their budget requirements, that gives us a better picture. The software we’ve developed is then going to be able to give them an estimate on their contribution. Fortunately for them, we’ve just called it the Home Care Report, so they don’t have to remember that it’s a Support at Home co-contribution calculator. Rachel Lane: It’s a far better name. Andrew Henderson: We see this advantage on three fronts. Number one, it’s free for families. Together, we’re making this available free for families. That’s always been very important for Ken and I when we started Aged Care Decisions — that the help is available to anyone, regardless of their means. Number two, talking about the preparation side of things, it does allow people to forward plan because it’s an estimate. It’s not to the dollar, but it gives them the thought of, “What am I going to have to think about as I go into this?” The third, and I think a really important one, is that it stops families being blindsided last minute by costs they weren’t prepared for. Do you find that happening? Rachel Lane: Absolutely. They get sticker shock when they get the price. Their initial knee-jerk reaction is to stop the services, and of course, that’s the worst thing. But it can be very difficult because of the complexity of the means testing. It can be very difficult to estimate those costs. There’s such a wide range. You’re talking about between 5% and 50% on your independent services, and between 17.5% and 80%. Naturally, people go, “Am I at the 17.5% end or the 80% end?” because that’s a very wide range. Andrew Henderson: We’ve had families, as you exactly said, pause or stop their services altogether because they’ve gone in and said, “My friend was a classification four, I’m a classification four, so I thought I’d just be paying what they’re paying.” As you said, it depends on the type of services you’re going to get. It’s means tested and there’s a whole raft of other things. I think that ability for them to plan ahead is really important. We’re really excited about providing that tool — the Home Care Report. I know we’re a little bit limited on time, but I did want to talk about two hot topics in each of these sectors — residential care and home care. Firstly, residential aged care. As a backdrop to it all, it’s a difficult area to navigate at the moment. I’m not sure if you’re seeing it with your clients, but the difficulty in finding a bed is becoming more and more of an issue. In terms of where we’re headed in the next five years, we’ve got hundreds of beds being added per year, but thousands of beds being required per year. An average home takes about five years to build, so we’ve got a problem ahead of us. Rachel Lane: There are 80,000 people turning 80 every year for the next decade. Andrew Henderson: Right. Rachel Lane: The government announced in the budget this year, I think, funding for an extra 5,000 residential aged care beds every year, but we need about 10,000. Andrew Henderson: At least we’re seeing the government’s push and support for people to stay at home longer. That’s a desire for most people — they want to stay at home — but sometimes it’s just not possible. So we do have a difficult time ahead for families that need residential aged care. Then, on the home care front, November 2025 rolled around, and lots of changes came about. I was a little relieved it wasn’t 1 July, to be honest, because 1 July is my birthday and they always make these monumental changes on the 1st of July. At least last year on my birthday, I got to go out for lunch. Rachel Lane: I think the entire sector was relieved that it wasn’t 1 July. Andrew Henderson: What are some of the observations you’ve had since the changes, whether it be home care or residential aged care, but more specifically on the home care or Support at Home front? Rachel Lane: To be honest, under the old world, a lot of people didn’t pay very much, if anything at all, towards home care. There was a basic daily fee that was often waived, and the income-tested care fee that sat on top often didn’t get triggered. You could earn a lot of income before you were paying too much. When it comes to home care, we’ve really gone from this scenario where people are paying very little, if anything, to some pretty high co-contributions. In fact, particularly in the everyday living bucket, where people are paying for gardening and things of that nature, and they’ve got, say, self-funded retirees paying a contribution at 80%, you’ve really got to wonder: is it worth buying those services through your Support at Home package, or are you going to get a better deal just buying it privately? Andrew Henderson: We see many families asking the exact same question, and that’s not an unreasonable question at all. Rachel Lane: I think there really is a shift around how people think about Support at Home, which services they want to access through their Support at Home package, and which ones they don’t. Using that self-funded retiree example again, accessing Support at Home to pay for physiotherapy might make a lot more sense than using your private health insurance, where you’ve still got a gap. Physio is covered under clinical care through Support at Home. It really is about getting in touch with specialists who can help you work out what the funding is, what the fees are, and what the smartest way is to structure this so that you get the care you need, but you’re paying for it in the smartest way you can. Andrew Henderson: Just in that answer, I’m sure many people realise, number one, how complicated it is because there are so many machinations to this. But also, number two, the expertise that you can bring to the table to help families make the right decisions, or at least apply the right thinking to their decisions. Rachel Lane: I think the thing that sometimes gets lost is that this is someone who is navigating the system for the first time. We’ve been doing this for years, and sometimes it can seem complex even to us. I can only imagine how complicated it is when this is not something that you live and breathe every day. Andrew Henderson: We say to our clients all the time, because even talking with friends and friends of friends, they ask about Aged Care Decisions and say, “Who are your clientele?” I say there is no way to describe the clientele. Whether they’re from a white-collar profession, blue-collar profession, stay-at-home background, it does not matter. It’s equally as complicated for everyone simply because it’s the first time, or maybe only the second time, they’ve done it in their lives. Rachel Lane: I’ll tell you who our biggest demo

[H1] Schedule of Aged Care Fees & Charges | Residential & Home Care

From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home Program replaced the Home Care Package Program, introducing new ways to deliver and manage home care services. At the same time, the New Aged Care Act brings significant reforms to residential aged care delivery and management.For more information please refer to our Support at Home Hub and Residential Aged Care Hub.

Aged care fees and charges change on 20 March and 20 September each year.Here is a summary of the Schedule of Fees and Charges for Residential and Home Care as of 20 March 2026.

[IMG: Aged Care Fees and Charges]

[H2] How Much Does Aged Care Cost in Australia?
Home and residential aged care contributions depend on how much income and assets an individual has. Costs change regularly due to indexation against the Age Pension and CPI. Fees are indexed on 20 March and 20 September each year.
[H2] What If I Can’t Afford Aged Care?
In Australia, the aged care system is set up so that everyone can access quality care regardless of their financial situation. There may not be as broad a choice of facilities for people with fewer assets, but there are always options, and contributions can be deducted directly from pension payments.Find out more about what happens if you can’t afford aged care.See answers to 7 frequently asked questions about aged care fees.
[H2] Fees and Charges for Support At Home
Support at Home replaced the four-level Home Care Packages program from 1 November 2025. There is no basic daily fee under Support at Home. Instead, participants contribute a percentage of the cost of each service they receive, based on the service type and their income and assets
[H2] Support at Home Service Categories & Contributions
All Support at Home services fall into one of three categories, each with different contribution rates.

[IMG: The Support at Home contributions for the 3 different service categories: Clinical, Independence & Everyday Living]

[H2] How Is Your Contribution Rate Determined?
Services Australia conducts an income and assets assessment (also called a means assessment) to determine your contribution rates. Your pension status is the main factor. Full Age Pensioners pay the lowest rates, while self-funded retirees pay the maximum. You can still access Support at Home without an assessment, but you may be charged at the maximum rate.For people who are not on the Age Pension, contribution rates for Independence and Everyday Living services are also affected by non-pension income. The thresholds below show where income testing begins to affect contribution rates.Non-Pension Income ThresholdSingleCouple (combined)Couple, Illness Separated (combined)Minimum threshold (contributions begin)$5,668$9,880$9,880Maximum threshold (full contribution rate applies)$101,105$161,768$202,210Between the minimum and maximum thresholds, contributions are calculated on a sliding scale. Above the maximum threshold, the full contribution rate for your category applies.Read our simplified guide to income and means assessments in aged care.
[H2] Lifetime Cap For Support at Home
Once you reach the lifetime cap, you will no longer be asked to pay contributions for non-clinical services, regardless of how long you continue to receive Support at Home.Cap TypeAmount New participants (from 1 Nov 2025)$137,917.01Grandfathered HCP participants (approved before 12 September 2024)$86,185.23Lifetime caps are indexed on 20 March and 20 September each year.

Note: Any contributions you paid under an old Home Care Package or under Support at Home count towards the combined residential aged care lifetime cap.

[H2] The “No Worse Off” Principle (Grandfathered Home Care Package Recipients)
If you were approved for, or were receiving, a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024, you are protected by the “no worse off” principle:If you did not pay fees under your Home Care Package, you will never pay contributions under Support at Home, even if you are later assessed at a higher classification.If you did pay fees, your contributions under Support at Home will be the same or lower than what you paid previously. Find out about the “no worse off” principle.
[H2] Support At Home Classification Budgets
Your Support at Home classification determines the maximum government budget available to fund your care each quarter. Provider prices and administration costs are drawn from this budget. You pay your contribution percentage on top of what the government subsidises.ClassificationQuarterly BudgetAnnual BudgetTypical Care Level1$2,683$10,732Minimal support — light housework, welfare check-ins2$4,008$16,035Light personal care, medications, social activities3$5,491$21,966Moderate support — regular personal care, meal prep, cleaning4$7,424$29,696High-frequency support — daily routines, continence care5$9,924$39,697Daily support and health coordination6$12,028$48,113Comprehensive care — nursing, wound care, allied health7$14,536$58,147Intensive daily care — complex health, dementia support8$19,526$78,106Highest level — palliative, specialised equipment, nursingBudget amounts are subject to indexation and Government amendment. Accurate as at November 2025.Find out what you can spend your Support at Home budget on.
[H2] Service and Management Fees
Support at Home providers cannot charge separate package management or administration fees. All provider costs (including administration, coordination and travel) must be included in the all-inclusive service price. This means your contribution is simply your percentage of the total service price.Read our guide to Support at Home service agreements and how provider pricing works.
[H2] Financial Hardship Assistance for Support At Home
If you cannot afford your assessed contributions after covering essential living costs (housing, food, utilities, medical), you may be eligible to apply for financial hardship assistance through Services Australia.For more information on how to apply see our 8-step guide to applying for financial hardship support under Support at Home.
[H2] Transition Care Program
Transition care helps older people get back on their feet after a hospital stay. It provides short-term care for up to 12 weeks, including social work, nursing support, personal care, and allied health care.State and territory governments are the approved providers of transition care. The aged care schedule of fees relating to this is outlined below.Maximum Daily FeeRateTransition care delivered in a home or community setting$13.75Transition care delivered in residential aged care$66.80

[H2] Find Support At Home Providers In Your Area
Aged Care Decisions offers a FREE and independent service to help you find and compare Support at Home providers that suit your care needs and budget. We also provide valuable support and advice for all stages of your aged care journey.

[IMG: Find a Home Care Provider Banner]

[H2] Residential Aged Care Fees and Charges
In Australia, residential aged care fees and charges are broken down into three areas: the Basic Daily Fee, Care Contributions (means tested), and Accommodation Fees.Read our guide to nursing home costs in Australia.
[H3] Basic Daily Care Fee
This covers basic living costs such as food, laundry, cleaning and power. The basic daily fee is not means tested. Everyone entering residential aged care pays it.The basic daily fee is set at 85% of the single basic Age Pension and is indexed on 20 March and 20 September each year.Maximum Basic Daily FeeRateResidential aged care$66.80Additional costs for residents in designated remote areasAn additional $1.06 per day may applyAt $66.80 per day, the basic daily fee equates to approximately $24,382 per year. This fee can be transferred directly from your pension.
[H3] Care Contributions (Means Tested)
From 1 November 2025, how much you contribute to your care costs in residential aged care depends on which fee arrangement applies to you.
[H3] Means Tested Care Fee (1 July 2014 to 31 October 2025 Fee Arrangements)
Residents who entered care between 1 July 2014 and 31 October 2025 pay a means tested care fee in addition to the basic daily fee. This fee is calculated based on income and assets, including the resident’s home if they own one.The means tested care fee is calculated based on:Marital statusHome ownership status and who is living in the home (e.g. a partner, carer or close relative)Annual incomeTotal financial assets including superannuationDebts or loansMeans tested fees are determined by a means assessment coordinated by Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
[H3] Means Tested Care Fee Caps
The maximum amount any individual will pay towards means tested care fees is:Means Tested Care Fee CapsRateAnnual cap$35,910.43Lifetime cap$86,185.23Both caps are indexed on 20 March and 20 September each year.
[H3] Non-Clinical Care Contribution and Hotelling Contribution (1 November 2025 Fee Arrangements)
Residents entering permanent residential aged care from 1 November 2025 are on new fee arrangements with two separate contributions replacing the means tested care fee.ContributionMaximum Daily RateHotelling contribution (covers hotel-style daily living costs)$22.15 per dayNon-clinical care contribution (contributes to personal and nursing care)$107.32 per dayServices Australia advises the exact amount each resident is asked to pay based on their means assessment.
[H3] Non-Clinical Care Contribution Caps:
Non-Clinical Care Contribution CapAmountDaily cap$107.32Four-year time-limited capThe fee ceases after a cumulative total of 4 years (1,460 days) of paying the non-clinical care contribution, even if the lifetime cap has not yet been reachedLifetime cap$137,917.01Both the daily cap and lifetime cap are indexed on 20 March and 20 September each year. The four-year time-limited cap is measured in days, not dollars, and is therefore not indexed.Contributions paid under Support at Home or previous home care income-tested fees count toward the lifetime dollar cap, but not toward the 4-year time-limited cap.
[H3] Residential Care Means Test —Income and Asset Thresholds
The table below outlines how much income an individual can earn per year before they must contribute means tested fees for residential aged care.Income Free Area For:RateSingle person$35,313.20Couple, illness separated (single rate)$34,585.20Couple, living together (single rate)$27,310.40If an individual earns less than these amounts, their income is excluded from the income component of the residential aged care means test. This means they will only pay the basic daily care fee.After income exceeds the lowest threshold, there are stages of income that determine how much you are asked to contribute:Income thresholdRate single personRate couple, illness separated (single rate)Income free area$35,313.20$34,585.20First income threshold$87,947.60$87,219.60Second income threshold$101,105.00$101,105.00Third income threshold$117,230.20$117,230.20Fourth income threshold$141,252.80$138,340.80
[H3] Residential Care Means Test — Asset Thresholds and Home Exemption Cap
Asset thresholdRateAsset free area$64,500.00First asset threshold$214,884.00Second asset threshold$258,000.00Third asset threshold$361,366.66Fourth asset threshold$536,384.00Home exemption cap (per person) — the net value of the home above this amount is excluded from the value of the resident’s assets.$214,884.00Use the My Aged Care fee estimator to work out how much you will pay in means tested fees for residential aged care.
[H3] Accommodation Fees
The cost of a room in a residential aged care facility can be paid via a Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD), a Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP), or a combination of both.
[H3] Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD)
The average RAD in Australia is about $470,000, but prices vary greatly depending on location and facility type. The RAD is often an advertised price and is negotiated between the resident and the aged care facility.Not everyone pays a RAD to enter residential aged care, as this payment is means tested against income and assets.A resident with annual income over $86,185.23 and more than $214,884.00 in assets will generally be asked to pay the full RAD.If a resident has income below $35,313.20 and assets below $64,500, the Australian Government will pay the accommodation costs.The maximum RAD that can be charged without prior pricing authority approval is $758,627.
[H3] Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP)
If your income and assets are above the threshold for government support, but you cannot, or do not want to pay a Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) upfront, you can choose to pay a Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) instead. The DAP covers the cost of your room on an ongoing basis (usually paid fortnightly or monthly) and is not refundable.The DAP is calculated by multiplying the room’s RAD by the Maximum Permissible Interest Rate (MPIR) set by the Australian Government, and dividing by 365 days.As of 1 April 2026, the MPIR is 7.96%. For example, the Daily Accommodation Payment for a room with a RAD of $500,000 would be:$500,000 × 7.96% ÷ 365 = $109.04 per dayThe DAP is based on the MPIR applicable on the day the accommodation price is agreed. It does not change with future movements in the MPIR unless you move to a different facility or enter into a new accommodation agreement.From 1 November 2025, for residents entering under the new accommodation arrangements, DAPs are also indexed twice yearly (on 20 March and 20 September) in line with CPI. This means that while the MPIR component remains fixed, the payable DAP may increase over time due to indexation.You can choose to pay for your room using a combination of a RAD and DAP.
[H3] Thresholds For Refundable Deposits and Daily Payments
ThresholdRateMinimum asset level after paying RAD (assets protected)$63,000Maximum RAD without pricing authority approval$758,627
[H2] Two Examples of How Residential Aged Care Fees and Charges Are Calculated
[H3] Meet Bill.
Bill is a widower in his nineties. He is less mobile than he used to be, and after discussions with his family, he has decided to move into a residential aged care facility.Bill paid off the home he lives in many years ago and owns an investment property outright. This property generates an income of $35,400 per year. Bill has $75,000 in the bank and $125,000 in superannuation. The market value of his home is $1,350,000.Based on a means test, Bill will pay the basic daily care fee and a means-tested care fee (subject to annual and lifetime caps). He will also pay an accommodation payment, which can be structured as a RAD (lump sum), a DAP (daily payment), or a combination of both.Bill may decide to sell his home and pay for his accommodation as a RAD. Alternatively, he could retain or rent out the property and use t