Navigating Change: What the New Support at Home Program and Strengthened Quality Standards Mean for You

Australia’s aged care system will undergo a major reform from 1 July 2025. The introduction of the Support at Home Program and Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards marks a significant step in how care is accessed, delivered, and evaluated.



At FOCUS Connect, we embrace this change with the same commitment to dignity, inclusion, and personalised support that has long defined our services.

What is the Support at Home Program?

The Support at Home Program will combine the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and Home Care Packages (HCP) into a single, streamlined system. This reform is designed to:

• Simplify access to aged care services
  
• Deliver more flexible and coordinated care
  
• Focus on what matters most to older Australians—their goals, lifestyle, and independence
  
  

FOCUS Connect is actively preparing to ensure a smooth and supportive transition for all participants as a provider of in-home and community-based aged care.

What Are the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards?

Also taking effect from 1 July 2025, the Strengthened Quality Standards redefine what safe, high-quality aged care looks like. There are seven standards, each focused on key areas of service and care, including:

1. The Person
   
2. The Organisation
   
3. Care and Services
   
4. The Environment
   
5. Clinical Care
   
6. Food and Nutrition
   
7. The Residential Community
   
   

Each standard includes:

• A clear intent
  
• An expectation statement (what participants can expect)
  
• Measurable outcomes
  
• Specific actions providers must take to demonstrate compliance

The applicable standards are 1 through 5 for providers like FOCUS Connect operating under Registration Categories 1–5. While Standards 6 and 7 apply only to residential care settings (outside our current scope), we remain focused on exceeding expectations in all other relevant areas.



What Does This Mean for Participants?

These reforms reflect many of the principles already embedded in delivering care at FOCUS Connect. Your right to make choices, feel respected, be safe, and remain independent are central to our service model and the new national standards.

What you can expect:

• Ongoing access to flexible, person-centred support
• An emphasis on shared decision-making, with your goals guiding your care

We will continue to keep you informed throughout the transition. Our team is here to answer questions, guide you through changes, and ensure your services remain reliable, empowering, and consistent.

What Does This Mean for Providers?

These changes bring both responsibility and opportunity to aged care providers across Australia. At FOCUS Connect, we view this transition as a chance to strengthen our work and leadership in the sector.

Key implications include:

• A single registration system based on service complexity and risk, with clearer audit expectations
• A greater focus on workforce capability, leadership, and organisational accountability
• Outcome-level audits, requiring clear, documented evidence of quality care and continuous improvement
• Early alignment with the standards, positioning providers to deliver uninterrupted, high-quality support beyond July 2025

FOCUS Connect’s Commitment

As always, we remain committed to:

• Transparent communication with participants, families, staff, and volunteers
  
• A culture of continuous improvement and innovation
  
• Upholding the principles of dignity, independence, and equity for all
  
  

We are walking into this reform prepared and united, and we’ll continue to share updates and resources to support every member of our community. 

If you’re looking for a support-at-home aged care provider in Campbelltown, FOCUS Connect offers personalised, government-funded home care services to support your independence and well-being.  Call us on 02 4627 1188. We’re here to help.