Your Guide to Aged Care Assessments: Understanding Your Options and Next Steps
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Starting 1 November 2025, the Australian Government is launching the Support at Home program - a major reform in aged care designed to help older Australians live independently at home for longer. This new initiative replaces the Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs, streamlining services into a single, simpler system. Support at Home offers tailored assistance with everyday tasks, clinical care, and access to equipment and home modifications. Funding is based on individual needs, delivered through quarterly budgets, giving participants greater flexibility and control over their care.
What are the key changes under the new Support at Home program?
- Program Consolidation: Replaces HCP and STRC with one unified system.
- Improved Access: Easier access to services, equipment, and home modifications.
- Flexible Funding: Quarterly budgets based on assessed needs.
- New Classifications: Eight funding levels for more tailored support.
- Assistive Technology & Home Modifications (AT-HM): Dedicated scheme for mobility, communication, and safety.
- Specialised Pathways: Restorative Care Pathway (short-term allied health support) and End-of-Life Pathway (enhanced support for final months).
- Participant Contributions: Based on income and assets, with protections for existing recipients.
- Price Caps: From 1 July 2026, the government will introduce price caps for different service types. Providers will not be allowed to charge more than these caps, which will include all administrative costs.
- Simplified Fees: Separate package management fees will be removed. Instead, the government will set standard prices for services that include all admin and coordination costs.
- Increased Support for Equipment & Modifications: There will be more funding and faster access to: Assistive technology, Home modifications and Equipment to support independent living
What are the new Service Categories and funding levels under the Support at Home program?
Based on your aged care assessment, you’ll receive a quarterly budget to access Support at Home services grouped into three easy-to-understand categories:
- Clinical Care – Nursing, allied health, nutrition.
- Independence – Personal Care, transport, social support.
- Everyday Living – Cleaning, home maintenance, meals.
There are also additional supports focussing on resorative care, end-of-life care and assistive technology/home modifications.
Support at Home also introduces eight levels of care, replacing the previous four-tier HCP system. This allows for more precise matching of services to individual needs.
To read more, and see a full Support at Home service list, visit our Support at Home funding page which details eveything you need to know about services and classifications.
What do these changes to the aged care system mean for me?
Grandfathered Participants
Grandfathered participants are those approved for a Home Care Package before 12 September 2024.
- Automatically transitioned
- Keep current funding and services
- Protected by “no worse off” guarantee
Transitional Participants
Transitional participants were approved for a Home Care Package after 12 September 2024 but before 31 October 2025.
- Continue under HCP rules until Nov 2025
- Then move to Support at Home with quarterly budgets
New Participants
- Approved after 1 Nov 2025
- Start directly under Support at Home
- Assessed using the new system
How Karista connects you to Support at Home providers
The truth is, sifting through long lists of aged care providers near you and hoping they’ll be a good match can add unnecessary hassle, which we can take care of instead. We know how important it is that you focus on your support and journey towards independence. With Karista, you can expect:
Expert Team: Our Client Services Team will provide you with all the knowledge and support you need while connecting you to the best Support at Home providers.
Customised Support: We’re focused on supporting you exactly how you need it. That’s why we’ll understand your specific needs to ensure the support we match you to is beneficial to your journey.
Privacy: To ensure you’re always protected with Karista, we’ll handle your information with privacy and confidentiality.
Communication: If you have any questions, need our help, or want to get started, we make it easy for you to reach us. You can give us a call, use our live chat or send us an email, and we’ll get to your query right away!
Your wellbeing journey starts with Karista
We simplify the process of accessing valuable support by taking care of every step for you! All you need to do is contact us, so we can identify and match you to the support you need. Whether you need advice, external support or general guidance, we’ll get what you need.
At Karista, we’re passionate about ensuring you have access to guidance and support that is tailored to your needs, so you can focus on achieving independence.
Reach out to our Client Services Team today to find out more.
How does Karista work?
Karista provides a free, independent service connecting you with disability and home care services, therapists and support workers based on your personal needs and goals. Our Client Services team are experienced in finding and connecting NDIS and Aged Care (HCP & SAH) participants to supports with availability.
We prioritise data security with end-to-end encryption, ensuring your information stays private and secure. We guarantee your data will never be shared with third parties, maintaining confidentiality and protecting your privacy at all times.
The Trust We've Earned
Julia from KARISTA is an amazing soul. . I’ve had so much trouble with others in the past. No one could help me navigate the NDIS train Julia was thorough, listened to my questions and needs and followed through. Highly recommend Julia and the KARISTA team. Cheers Anthoula xo
Anthoula
2 weeks ago, Google
From the beginning of my conversation to helping me with all Hanza was so helpful I wish I had done this sooner Thank you so much
Margaret Fonaris
2 weeks ago, Google
Based on my correspondence this morning with carista I would highly recommend them to anyone needing their services very good to work with switched on and get the job done for you
braddo 1972
1 month ago, Google
I liked that the staff here were quick to get me the help I needed and they informed me well and made sure I was on the same page.
Bamby Parker
2 months ago, Google
Chantelle was amazing she listened and got things sorted for both my son’s needs. She also called with updates and all was sorted within a day.
Nina Vlasic
3 months ago, Google
Julia from KARISTA is an amazing soul. . I’ve had so much trouble with others in the past. No one could help me navigate the NDIS train Julia was thorough, listened to my questions and needs and followed through. Highly recommend Julia and the KARISTA team. Cheers Anthoula xo
Anthoula
2 weeks ago, Google
From the beginning of my conversation to helping me with all Hanza was so helpful I wish I had done this sooner Thank you so much
Margaret Fonaris
2 weeks ago, Google
Based on my correspondence this morning with carista I would highly recommend them to anyone needing their services very good to work with switched on and get the job done for you
braddo 1972
1 month ago, Google
I liked that the staff here were quick to get me the help I needed and they informed me well and made sure I was on the same page.
Bamby Parker
2 months ago, Google
Chantelle was amazing she listened and got things sorted for both my son’s needs. She also called with updates and all was sorted within a day.
Nina Vlasic
3 months ago, Google
Julia from KARISTA is an amazing soul. . I’ve had so much trouble with others in the past. No one could help me navigate the NDIS train Julia was thorough, listened to my questions and needs and followed through. Highly recommend Julia and the KARISTA team. Cheers Anthoula xo
Anthoula
2 weeks ago, Google
From the beginning of my conversation to helping me with all Hanza was so helpful I wish I had done this sooner Thank you so much
Margaret Fonaris
2 weeks ago, Google
Based on my correspondence this morning with carista I would highly recommend them to anyone needing their services very good to work with switched on and get the job done for you
braddo 1972
1 month ago, Google
I liked that the staff here were quick to get me the help I needed and they informed me well and made sure I was on the same page.
Bamby Parker
2 months ago, Google
Chantelle was amazing she listened and got things sorted for both my son’s needs. She also called with updates and all was sorted within a day.
Nina Vlasic
3 months ago, Google

