On 1 November, the Australian Government’s long-awaited Support at Home program was officially launched, marking a major reform in how older Australians receive care and support in their own homes.
Following the recommendations of the Royal Commission into aged care, the reforms aim to deliver higher quality, and more consistent care while giving older Australians greater choice and independence in their daily lives.
“Essentially, it’s an upgrade of the whole aged care system,” says Geoff Aigner, executive director at CatholicCare Sydney Home Care Services.
“The system is focused on what the Department is calling ‘enablement’ – keeping people able, capable, and connected in their homes.”
For CatholicCare Sydney Home Care and Commonwealth Home Support Program clients, the reforms have brought both hope and questions.
“Families were understandably eager to understand how these changes would affect the care they rely on every day,” Aigner said.
The reforms introduce a streamlined system designed to put older Australians in control, with increased transparency and a strong focus on independence.
In practical terms, this means a higher emphasis on quality of care, with Home Care providers encouraged to work closely with clients to ensure services meet their individual needs.
Changes to the fee structure aim to reduce administrative costs, allowing more of a person’s funds to go directly toward services.
Co-contributions are now means-tested: full pensioners pay very little, while self-funded retirees contribute more.
Clinical services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, exercise programs, and speech therapy will remain free for the lifetime of the program.
Another key feature of the reforms is the introduction of quarterly budgets, encouraging participants to plan and use their funds within each quarter to get the most from their Home Care Package.
To address the growing waiting list, the government has released 20,000 additional Home Care Packages, yet more than 100,000 Australians are still waiting for their packages to be approved.
“CatholicCare Sydney Home Care Services is committed to supporting older Australians every step of the way,” said Aigner.
“We are here to help people navigate the system, access the care they need, and remain independent in their home for longer.”
The Support at Home reforms represent a significant step toward a more responsive, person-centred aged care system, giving older Australians the tools and support they need to live safely and independently.
CatholicCare Sydney has spent the past year preparing both clients and staff for the Support at Home Program transition. Their focus was on clear communication, continuity of support workers, and reassurance for anyone worried about what would come next.
With over 363,000 instances of care delivered across more than 2,300 homes in Sydney over the past five years, CatholicCare Sydney is well-placed to guide older Australians through this important change, helping them continue to live safely, comfortably, and independently at home.
Tips for applying for Support at Home:
- Apply through My Aged Care early. Obtaining approval is a long process and can take over a year to have government approval for a home care package.
- Watch out for price. This is almost always an indicator of quality and care. Choose quality and be mindful of an increase in providers with little aged care experience.
- Ask questions about continuity – am I going to be seeing the same set of people. Will they understand me? Can they speak my language?
- Ask your potential provider how they think about “enablement”
- Who are their workers? Are they contractors or staff and what is their training?
CatholicCare Sydney is currently offering a $500 service credit to eligible Home Care package recipients who switch from another provider. For more information call 13 18 19, or visit www.catholiccare.org/