Support at Home Just Changed: 3 Things Melbourne Families Need to Know in 2026

Navigating aged care can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when government programs and funding rules evolve. If you or an older loved one are living in Melbourne, you have likely heard about Australia’s new Support at Home program. Replacing the older Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC), this system is designed to provide clearer, more flexible, and more responsive care so that older Australians can continue living safely and independently in the comfort of their own homes.

As we move through 2026, several key milestones are taking effect across Australia, including the new 8-level funding classification and zero out-of-pocket costs for personal care. At Home with Help Homecare, we know how important it is to feel informed, supported, and confident in your care choices. Whether you are already receiving support or just beginning to explore your options through My Aged Care, we are here to guide you every step of the way with compassionate, nurse-led expertise.

To help you understand what these updates mean for your family, we have broken down the three most important things you need to know about the Support at Home program in 2026.

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1. What Is Support at Home, and How Does It Work?

The Support at Home program is Australia’s primary in-home aged care system. It brings together various care types into a single, cohesive framework centered around your personal goals, dignity, and wellbeing.

One of the biggest changes is the move from the old 4 Home Care Package levels to 8 classification levels under Support at Home. This is a significant shift, because it allows care to be matched more closely to your assessed needs instead of fitting you into one of only four package levels.

Support at Home Classification Levels and Funding (2026)

| Classification | Quarterly Budget | Annual Amount | Typical Services | |:--------------:|:----------------:|:-------------:|:-----------------| | 1 | $2,752.50 | $11,010.01 | Light housework, meal delivery, welfare check-ins | | 2 | $4,112.84 | $16,451.35 | Light personal care (dressing, showering, meds), social activities | | 3 | $5,634.20 | $22,536.81 | Regular personal care, mobility aid support, meal prep, cleaning | | 4 | $7,617.13 | $30,468.51 | Daily routines assistance, home modifications, toileting, continence | | 5 | $10,182.38 | $40,729.53 | Daily support, hoists/transfers, medical transport, safety monitoring | | 6 | $12,341.32 | $49,365.27 | Nursing support (wound care, meds), continence, allied health | | 7 | $14,915.00 | $59,660.00 | Intensive daily care, complex health, dementia support | | 8 | $20,034.28 | $80,137.12 | Palliative support, 24/7 availability, specialised equipment, nursing interventions |

Rather than receiving a generic yearly funding pool, your care is structured around:

• Eight distinct classification levels: This is a major change from the old 4-level Home Care Package model, giving older Australians a broader and more flexible range of support options based on need.
• Quarterly budgets: Funds are allocated and released in four quarterly cycles throughout the year.
• Automatic care management: Ten percent of each quarterly budget is dedicated to care management, leaving ninety percent directly usable for your essential services.
• Unspent funds rollover: To give you maximum flexibility, unused amounts (up to the greater of $1,000 or 10% of your budget) roll seamlessly into the next quarter.

This structured yet flexible approach ensures that your care adapts dynamically as your needs change over time. You can learn more about how we tailor our services on our Aged Care Services page.

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2. Personal Care Becomes Completely Free (From 1 October 2026)

Perhaps the most exciting financial shift for older Australians receiving in-home support is the reclassification of personal care.

Starting 1 October 2026, personal care services are officially reclassified from the Independence contributions category into the Clinical supports category under Support at Home.

• Zero out-of-pocket costs: If you are approved for Support at Home and personal care is included in your support plan, the Australian Government fully funds these services. You will pay no co-contributions for approved personal care.
• Automatic application: If you are already receiving home care services, this transition applies automatically. You do not need to reapply or submit new paperwork.
• What is included: Personal care covers essential, dignity-preserving assistance such as showering, dressing, grooming, mobility support, and non-clinical continence care.

Important Note: While contributions for personal care applied under previous rules, all approved personal care delivered from 1 October 2026 onward is fully subsidised. If you are unsure whether your current support plan correctly lists these services, we encourage you to review your plan or reach out to our team via our Contact Us page.

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3. How to Ensure Your Family Is Ready for the Changes

Adapting to new aged care structures doesn't have to be stressful. By taking a few proactive steps today, you can ensure your loved one receives the full benefit of the Support at Home program:

1. Review your current support plan: Check with your provider or My Aged Care to verify your exact classification level, quarterly budget balance, and whether your personal care needs are explicitly documented. 2. Ask the right questions: When speaking with providers in Melbourne, ask how their pricing works and what portion of your services fall under fully funded clinical support. 3. Connect with a trusted local provider: Partnering with a nurse-led organization ensures that your clinical needs are expertly managed alongside your daily comfort and independence.

Whether you need ongoing aged care, restorative support after a hospital visit, learn more about our Post-Hospital Support services, or compassionate guidance through government funding changes, Home with Help Homecare is by your side.

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We Are Here to Support You Every Step of the Way

Change can bring questions, but it also brings wonderful opportunities for greater transparency, security, and person-centered care. At Home with Help Homecare, our family-owned values and clinical foundation mean we treat you with the same warmth, respect, and dignity we would want for our own family members.

If you have questions about the 2026 Support at Home changes, want to discuss your funding package, or need reliable home care in Melbourne, please reach out to our friendly team today. We are here to listen, support, and help you live safely and independently at home.