Are there different eligibility criteria for the different levels of Home Care Packages?

With the Support at Home Program coming on 1 November 2025, the core eligibility principles will remain largely consistent with what we have now, focusing on your assessed care needs, age, and Australian residency rather than introducing a new framework.

If you're currently receiving a Home Care Package, you'll transition automatically to the Support at Home Program when it launches. There's no need to reapply or undergo a new assessment unless your care needs have substantially changed. Your existing funding level will be matched to an equivalent classification under the new program, ensuring you continue receiving appropriate support without disruption.

The "no worse off" principle

The "no worse off" guarantee ensures that your financial contributions under the new program will be the same or even less than what you're currently paying. This applies during the initial transition and if you're reassessed and reclassified in the future.

One notable change already underway is the implementation of a new Single Assessment System and the introduction of the Integrated Assessment Tool. The goal of this tool is to make the assessment process simpler, more consistent, and more efficient for everyone. This streamlined approach reduces the need for multiple assessments as your circumstances change, making it easier to access the right support at the right time.

For those who haven't yet entered the aged care system but might need to in 2025 or beyond, the eligibility criteria will follow the familiar pattern – you'll generally need to be 65 or older (50 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and have an assessed need for assistance with daily tasks.

While the eligibility rules remain consistent, the Support at Home Program does bring some structural improvements:

• The expansion from four Home Care Package levels to eight classification levels will allow for more precise matching of funding to individual needs.
• The introduction of dedicated pathways for restorative care and end-of-life support acknowledges that different care needs require different approaches.

Throughout these changes, the fundamental purpose remains the same – to provide appropriate, person-centred support that helps older Australians maintain their independence, dignity, and quality of life while living in their own homes. The program's changes reflect a commitment to improving how this support is delivered rather than changing who can access it.