24 Aug 2026

Support At Home Fee Changes From 1 October 2026

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Key Takeaways

• Personal care becomes fully funded from 1 October 2026: Showering, dressing, and continence support will move from the Independence category to Clinical care under the Support at Home program.
• No new assessment is required: If personal care is already approved in your support plan and you have available funding, the change applies automatically.
• You will no longer pay out-of-pocket contributions for eligible personal care: This applies to showering, bathing, dressing, continence assistance, personal hygiene, eating assistance, and help with daily medications.
• Contributions still apply to other services: Cleaning, gardening, transport, and other everyday living or independence services are not affected by this change.
• This change is for Support at Home participants only: People receiving services under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) are not affected.
• Check your October invoice: Ensure personal care no longer appears as a participant contribution for services delivered from 1 October 2026.

 

Understanding aged care fees can be a constant source of stress for families. That is why the upcoming change to how personal care services are funded under the Support at Home program is welcome news for many older Australians and their families.

From 1 October 2026, the Australian Government will fully fund personal care services under Support at Home. This means you or your loved one will no longer pay out-of-pocket contributions for essential daily assistance such as showering and dressing.

What Is Changing From 1 October 2026?

Personal care is currently classified under the Independence category of the Support at Home program, which attracts a means-tested participant contribution. From 1 October 2026, these services will move into the Clinical supports category, which is fully funded by the Australian Government.

This change removes participant fees for essential daily tasks, making in-home personal care more affordable for older Australians across the country.

Which Personal Care Services Will Be Fully Funded?

From 1 October 2026, if personal care has been approved in your support plan and you have available funding, the following services will be fully covered by the government:

• Showering and bathing
• Dressing and undressing
• Continence support and toileting assistance
• Help with eating and maintaining personal hygiene
• Assistance with self-administration of daily medications

 

It is important to note that this change applies specifically to personal care tasks. Other types of in-home support, such as domestic assistance, gardening, or transport, will still require a participant contribution.

Understanding the Three Support at Home Categories

Support at Home divides services into three main categories, each with a different funding arrangement. From October 2026, the table below reflects how contributions will apply:

Clinical supports (including personal care from 1 October 2026): Fully funded, no participant contribution.

Independence services (transport, social support, some assistive supports): Moderate means-tested contribution applies.

Everyday living services (cleaning, gardening, meal preparation): Higher means-tested contribution applies.

A lifetime cap on contributions continues to apply across Support at Home

Do You Need a New Assessment?

No. You do not need a new aged care assessment to benefit from this change. If personal care is already approved in your support plan and you have available funding in your Support at Home budget, the new funding rules will apply automatically from 1 October 2026.

You will not need to complete any new forms or contact My Aged Care to receive this benefit. Your care plan will continue as normal, and your home care provider will simply update how they bill you for personal care services delivered from that date.

What About Other Services Such as Cleaning or Transport?

The October 2026 change applies only to personal care. Contributions will still apply to other services under the Independence and Everyday Living categories.

If you are unsure which contributions apply to your situation, it is worth speaking directly with your home care provider or contacting My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 for personalised guidance.

What Should You Check With Your Provider?

To make sure the change is correctly reflected in your care arrangements, consider taking the following steps:

• Confirm your support plan: Check with your provider that personal care is officially included in your current plan.
• Ask about other fees: Clarify exactly which services you will still be asked to contribute towards.
• Review your October invoice: Check that personal care no longer appears as a participant contribution for services delivered from 1 October 2026.

 

Is This Change for CHSP Participants Too?

No. This funding change applies only to Support at Home participants. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) operates under a different funding model and is not affected by the October 2026 change. CHSP is expected to transition into the Support at Home program no earlier than 1 July 2029.

How This Fits Into the Broader Aged Care Reforms

Support at Home replaced the Home Care Packages program in November 2025 as part of the Australian Government's ongoing aged care reform agenda. The program categorises services to determine what the government funds and what participants contribute.

The move of personal care into the Clinical supports category reflects the government's recognition that daily hygiene and personal assistance are essential health-related supports, not discretionary lifestyle services.

How The District Nurses Can Help

At The District Nurses, we are committed to keeping our clients and their families informed as the aged care landscape continues to evolve. Our team can help you understand how these fee changes affect your care plan and ensure your services remain well-coordinated and responsive to your needs.

With more than 130 years of experience supporting Tasmanian families, we provide personalised home care that spans nursing, personal care, domestic assistance, social support, transport, and allied health. We are here to help you make the most of the support available to you.

Contact The District Nurses today to understand how the October 2026 fee changes may affect you.