Australia’s aged care system is changing. If you are an aged care provider, you are already preparing for the change from the Home Care Packages Program to the Support at Home Program. This reform is made to make care delivery easier. It improves care for older Australians and makes it easier for providers like you to understand what is expected.
Understanding what this change means is important for you. The way services are funded, delivered and monitored will look different. The expectations placed on providers will also change.
Let’s help you understand what the Support at Home Program is, why it matters and how it will change aged care services.
Table of Contents
What Is the Support at Home Program
Source: dptraining.com.au
The Support at Home Program is a new aged care model introduced by the Australian Government. It replaces the old Home Care Packages Program and is designed to make care more flexible and based on what each person actually needs.
Instead of fixed service packages, support will be matched to each person’s individual needs. The aim is to help older people remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible. It also makes sure they get the right care at the right time.
For providers, this means clear service types, easy pricing and stronger responsibility for the care they deliver.
Why the Aged Care System Is Changing
The current system has long been criticised for being complex and slow to respond to changing needs. Long waiting times, unused funds and unclear service inclusions have made delivery difficult for both participants and providers.
The new model focuses on:
- Faster access to care
- Better matching of services to needs
- Clearer rules around spending and reporting
- Improved quality and safety standards
For you, this means less ambiguity and a stronger emphasis on outcomes rather than volume of services.
How Service Delivery Will Change for Providers
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Under the Support at Home Program, the way you deliver care will change in practical ways:
- Services will need to fit into clearly defined support categories.
- Care plans will be more flexible, so you can adjust support as a person’s needs change.sans
- You will need better coordination, clear records and regular communication with clients.
- Staff will need proper training to deliver care in a consistent and approved way.
- Quality and compliance will become a bigger part of everyday work.
How Funding Will Change
One of the most significant changes is how funding is structured and monitored. Here are the important differences you should know about:
| Area | Current Model | Support at Home Program |
| Funding Levels | Fixed package tiers | Needs-based funding |
| Flexibility | Limited | Greater flexibility |
| Service Categories | Broad | Clearly defined |
| Budget Use | Often underutilised | Closer tracking |
| Oversight | Moderate | Stronger monitoring |
This structure is designed to reduce unused funds while ensuring services are delivered where they are genuinely needed.
Compliance and Provider Responsibilities
Source: tricare.com.au
With increased flexibility comes equal responsibility. You will need to be clear about your prices, keep correct records and provide services at a consistent quality. Audits and reviews will look at how well you support participants, not just whether the service was provided.
Because of this change, your internal systems, policies and processes need to match the new requirements. Providers who start preparing early will find the transition easier.
What This Means for Business Planning
The Support at Home Program not only changes care delivery, it also affects how you plan and grow your business. You may need to look again at the services you offer, how your team is set up and how you price your services. As participants start accessing services faster, the demand may change. Providers who understand local needs and adjust their services will be in a stronger position.
Clear processes and strong governance are also very important. They help organisations stay accountable and transparent as expectations continue to increase.
Preparing for the Changes
If you are currently delivering home care services, preparation is important:
- Review how you currently deliver home care services and note what needs improvement
- Find if there are any gaps in your processes, systems or service delivery
- Train your staff so they understand the new rules and expectations
- Update policies, procedures and documents to match future standards
- Improve your internal compliance and record-keeping processes
Understanding how the Support at Home Program works so you can make changes calmly and with confidence, not at the last minute.
Summing Up
The Support at Home Program is a big change in how aged care is provided in Australia. For providers, it means clearer rules, regular checks and more focus on providing the best care.
By understanding these changes, you can prepare yourself better. So have proper planning and use the right systems. This will help you meet the needs and support older Australians to live safely and independently.
