Instead of four HCP levels, Support at Home has eight funding levels. This is to ensure your government funded support matches more closely to your care needs.
The Support at Home program is the Australian Government’s new in home aged care program that helps older people stay independent at home. As of 1 November 2025, it replaces the Home Care Packages Program and Short Term Restorative Care with CHSP to move across at a later date.
Whiddon is an approved Support at Home provider. Our team works alongside you, your family and your friends to plan the support that fits your goals, using our MyLife relationship based model of care.
At Whiddon, care at home is built on real relationships. Your regular team takes the time to get to know you, understand what matters most and design support around your goals, routines and interests.
We work in partnership with you, and with any family or friends you would like involved, to create a personalised and flexible Support at Home care plan that is transparent, easy to manage and feels truly centred on you.
Personalised and flexible options, with care plans that are developed with you and no hidden costs
Relationship Based Care and a consistent team of local care workers, so that we can get to know you and your family
Peace of mind – we’ve been caring for older Australians for more than 75 years and are Government approved and registered providers of Support at Home Packages and CHSP, and Disability services through the NDIS
Support to find practical solutions to help you stay connected to your family, friends, community and interests
Affordable care management to ensure you’re supported by our expert Coordinators
Access to Whiddon’s award-winning wellbeing programs
Access to our Community Coordinators and Scheduling Teams who support you with your care, service bookings and changes
Invitations to join Whiddon social programs held by Homw Care
Support to access & organise respite care at our nearby Residential Homes
Priority access to Whiddon Retirement Villages and support to organise your move
Assistance to access additional support equipment or assistive technologies
Support at Home is one of the biggest changes to in many years. It replaces the previous Home Care Packages and Short Term Restorative Care programs and introduces a new way of funding and organising home care services. You can see three of the key changes below.
We’ve also created a FAQs About Support at Home blog to help you better understand the key differences between HCPs and Support at Home and address common concerns that you may have.
Instead of four HCP levels, Support at Home has eight funding levels. This is to ensure your government funded support matches more closely to your care needs.
Services are now grouped into clinical supports, independence services and everyday living support
You no longer pay a basic daily fee and only contribute when you use services, with national lifetime caps and protections.
Under Support at Home, your annual care budget will be divided into four quarterly budgets. This makes it easier to plan and review your care throughout the year.
Each quarter, your funding will be available to spend on approved services that meet your individual needs, as identified through your My Aged Care assessment.
For existing HCP clients, your current annual budget will remain in place and you will access those funds on a quarterly basis.
The first step is to understand your options. Talk to your family, support person, GP or a provider like Whiddon to see what types of support services are available and for help with goal planning.
Second step is for people who are looking at subsidised care through a Home Care Package – you can arrange an assessment directly through My Aged Care, or contact us and we’ll assist you for free.
Research your options and shop around – what are you looking for? What do the providers offer? Do they feel like the right fit for you? Ask about fees and costs, the number of hours of service you’ll receive, office locations, care worker qualifications and care and package management fees.
Choose a provider and get started! Meet the team who will support you, create your care plan and talk about what’s important to you and your lifestyle. At this point you should be signing your Agreement and getting started with planning your care and services.
You can carry over the higher of $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget into the next quarter. This change aims to encourage regular use of your funds to support your wellbeing, rather than leaving large amounts unspent.
Moreover, if you are transitioning from a Home Care Package, any current unspent funds will move with you. These funds can be used to top up your quarterly budget or for Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM). They are not subject to the new carryover limits.
A lifetime cap of $130,000 (indexed) applies to all contributions. Financial hardship support will also be available. Based on the “no worse off principle” from the government, people already in aged care as of 12 September 2024 will make the same contributions, or lower, than under the Home Care Packages Program.
If you are already receiving a Home Care Package, you will automatically move into the Support at Home program on 1 November 2025 and remain on your current level of funding. You do not need to reapply or be reassessed unless your care needs have changed significantly.
Your current provider can continue to deliver your services under the new system.
Any unspent funds from your Home Care Package will transfer with you and can be used for Assistive Technology and Home Modifications or to top up your quarterly care budget once it has been used.
You will also receive information from both My Aged Care and your provider before the transition date, outlining your new budget and care arrangements.
Support at Home is designed to help older Australians live independently for longer, with care that is flexible, transparent and centred on individual needs.
Whether you already receive care with Whiddon or are looking for a new provider, our team is here to help you navigate the changes to in-home aged care.
We can talk you through what the new program means for your current services, explain your funding and contribution options, and help you plan care that suits your needs and lifestyle.