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Support at Home Pricing 2026: Fees, Contributions and Funding Explained
FOCUS Connect • 27 April 2026
Australia’s aged care system is continuing to shift toward a more streamlined, consumer-focused model under the Support at Home program. If you or a loved one is receiving care at home, or about to apply, one of the biggest questions is simple:
How much will it cost, and how do I compare providers fairly?
Understanding Support at Home pricing can feel complex at first. There are government contributions, personal contributions, service categories and provider fees to consider. This guide explains everything clearly, so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
The Two Layers of Support at Home Pricing
Support at Home is the Australian Government’s updated in-home aged care program, designed to help seniors live independently and safely in their own homes for longer.
It replaces the old Home Care Package system and is designed to:
- Make pricing clearer
- Make services easier to understand
- Protect people from paying more than they should over their lifetime
If you already had a
Home Care Package before 12 September 2024, special protections may apply so you are not financially worse off under the new system.
Understanding costs becomes much easier when you realise there are two separate parts to pricing.
1. The Provider’s Service Price
This is the amount your chosen provider charges to deliver a service.
It may be charged:
- Per hour (for example, personal care)
- Per visit (for example, a nursing assessment)
- Per item (for example, assistive equipment)
Each provider sets their own prices. However, they must:
- Publish their prices clearly
- Keep pricing reasonable
- Agree to costs with you in writing before services begin
You always have the right to see a provider’s full price list.
2. Your Personal Contribution (If Required)
Some people may need to contribute towards the cost of certain services.
You do not pay a flat fee. Your contribution is calculated as a percentage of the service price.
How much you contribute depends on:
- Your income and assets assessment
- Whether you receive a full or part Age Pension, or are self-funded
- The type of service you receive
The government pays the remaining amount directly to your provider.
The Three Service Categories And Why They Matter
Support at Home divides services into three categories. This affects whether you contribute and how much.
| Service Category | Full Pension | Part Pension | Self-Funded | Examples of Services Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical services - are fully funded by the government. You do not make a personal contribution for approved clinical care. | 0% | 0% | 0% | Nursing Care, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Restorative Care and other supports depending in person's apprioed services |
| Independence - Full pensioners usually pay a lower percentage than self-funded retirees. The government pays the remaining amount directly to your provider. | 5% | 5–50% | 50% | Personal Care, Respite Services, Social Support, Therapeutic Services, Transport Services |
| Everyday Living - Because these services are considered general living expenses, contribution rates can be higher than independence supports. The percentage you contribute depends on your financial assessment. | 17.5% | 17.5–80% | 80% | Domestic Assistance, Meal Preparation, Gardening, Home Maintenance, Shopping |
How Means Testing Works
Means testing does not determine whether you are eligible for Support at Home. It determines how much you may contribute.
Services Australia conducts an income and assets assessment, similar to the Age Pension means test. Based on this assessment, you are assigned a contribution percentage for relevant service categories.
Your actual dollar amount depends on both your percentage rate and your provider’s service price.
Below is an overview of what each Support at Home classification may typically cover, along with the indicative budgets.
The 8 Support at Home Classifications & Budgets
Support at Home classifications are funding levels. They decide how much government funding you receive based on how much help you need. Under the old system, there were four package levels. Now there are eight classifications, allowing funding to better match a person’s needs.
| Classification | Quarterly Budget | Annual Budget | General Care Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,683 | $10,732 | Minimal support – for people who are mostly independent but need occasional help with light household tasks, meal support or wellbeing check-ins. |
| 2 | $4,008 | $16,035 | Light personal care – support including help with showering, dressing, medication reminders and community participation. |
| 3 | $5,491 | $21,966 | Moderate support – Ongoing assistance with daily routines such as personal care, mobility support, meal preparation and domestic tasks. |
| 4 | $7,424 | $29,696 | High-frequency support – Frequent support including continence care, safety supervision and assistance with more complex daily activities. |
| 5 | $9,924 | $39,697 | Daily support - Care combined with health coordination, including lifting or transfer support, appointment transport and home safety monitoring. |
| 6 | $12,028.58 | $48,114.30 | Comprehensive care – Advanced in-home care involving nursing services, medication management, allied health involvement and specialised support needs. |
| 7 | $14,536 | $58,147 | Intensive daily care – for individuals requiring support across most personal and health-related activities, including dementia care. |
| 8 | $19,526 | $78,106 | Highest level of care – The most comprehensive home-based care level, designed for complex medical needs, palliative support and specialised equipment. |
“No Worse Off” Protections
If you were approved for or are receiving a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024, special protections apply.
This means:
- You will not pay more than you previously did
- You should contribute the same or less than you would have under the Home Care Package contribution arrangements
- Your lifetime contribution cap remains protected
These rules exist to make sure long-term participants are not disadvantaged.
What Is “All-In” Pricing?
Under Support at Home, providers must publish clear service prices so participants can understand and compare costs.
A provider’s service price should generally include the costs required to deliver that service, such as direct service delivery and related business costs. This helps reduce surprise fees and makes it easier to compare providers.
Care management is handled separately. For people receiving ongoing Support at Home services, 10% of the quarterly budget is deducted to fund care management rather than being charged as a separate direct service fee.
If anything on a price list is unclear, a reputable My Aged Care provider will explain exactly what is included, what is not, and how care management is funded.
Upcoming Price Caps
In the early stage of Support at Home, providers set their own prices.
From 1 July 2026, government price caps are expected to apply to certain services. This means providers cannot charge above a maximum amount set by the government.
Price caps aim to:
- Improve affordability
- Create consistency across providers
- Protect participants long-term
Always check the most up-to-date price list when comparing services.
How to Compare Providers Fairly
When reviewing providers, look for:
- Clear service descriptions
- Whether prices are per hour, per visit or per item
- The service category (clinical, independence or everyday living)
- What is included in the price
- Any circumstances where prices change
Because your contribution is based on the provider’s service price, comparing price lists carefully can make a real difference.
The Bottom Line: What Will You Actually Pay?
Your out-of-pocket cost depends on three simple things:
- The type of service you receive
- The provider’s price for that service
- Your assessed contribution percentage
Clinical services = $0 contribution.
Other services = a percentage based on your financial assessment.
Once you understand this structure, pricing becomes much clearer.
Choose a Partner Who Understands You
At FOCUS Connect, we believe support at home should feel clear, respectful and built around you. Navigating aged care funding can be complex, but our team takes the time to explain what’s included in your plan, what your choices are, and whether any out-of-pocket contributions may apply. We make sure you understand your services and feel confident about every decision.
As an approved My Aged Care provider, we deliver professional, compassionate support designed to help you remain safe, independent and connected in your own home. If you’ve received your My Aged Care referral letter, you can nominate us as your preferred provider and get started sooner.
Reach out to our friendly team to discuss your needs and take the next step with confidence.
FOCUS Connect, a registered not-for-profit charity, provides practical assistance and support services to disadvantaged and marginalised individuals. As a My Aged Care provider, we offer Support at Home and Commonwealth Home Support Programme services across South West and Northern Sydney. Additionally, we are a leading provider of community services to multicultural and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations across South West Sydney.
Need Support or Know Someone Who Does?
If you need support, call us at 02 4627 1188 or contact us via our online enquiry form, and we will get back to you shortly to discuss your needs and how we can assist you. If you know someone who could benefit from our services, refer them to FOCUS Connect to help them receive the support they need and deserve.
