2025-12-01
Support at Home: What changed in November 2025
居家支持：2025年11月有哪些变化
In November 2025, the Australian Government introduced one of the most significant reforms to aged care in decades: the Support at Home program. This new program replaced two long-standing systems — the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and the Home Care Packages (HCP) program — with a single, streamlined framework designed to be simpler, fairer, and more responsive to individual needs.
What changed?
Under the old system, aged care at home was delivered through two separate programs. The CHSP provided basic, entry-level support services like help with housework, transport, and meals. If you needed more comprehensive care, you would apply for a Home Care Package, which came in four levels (1 through 4) based on the complexity of your needs. The two programs had different rules, different funding models, and different waitlists — and navigating between them could be confusing, especially for families whose first language isn't English.
The Support at Home program replaces both with a single system. Now, when you're assessed by My Aged Care, you're assigned to one of four categories (Category 1 through Category 4) based on your care needs. Each category comes with a government-funded budget that pays for a range of services, from personal care and nursing to home modifications and transport.
What's different about the new program?
One system instead of two. There's no longer a gap between basic support and package-level care. The transition from lower to higher levels of care is smoother.
Clearer funding. Each category has a defined budget, and the government has published clear guidelines on what services can and can't be funded. This makes it easier for families to understand what they're entitled to.
Faster access. The government has committed to reducing wait times. Under the old HCP system, some families waited months or even over a year for a Level 3 or 4 package. The new system aims to allocate funding more quickly.
More flexibility. The Support at Home program gives you more choice about how your funding is used. You can mix and match services based on what matters most to your family — whether that's personal care, social support, or clinical nursing.
Co-contributions. Under the new program, some clients may be asked to contribute a portion of the cost of certain services, depending on their financial situation. However, the government has put safeguards in place to ensure no one misses out on essential care due to cost.
What do families need to do now?
If your loved one was already receiving services under CHSP or an existing Home Care Package, the transition should happen automatically. The government is working with providers to ensure continuity of care, and your existing services should continue without interruption.
If you're new to the system and think your parent or family member may need support, the process starts the same way: contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au. You'll be asked some questions about your loved one's situation, and then an assessor will arrange a meeting to determine what level of support is needed.
How Lovin Care can help
At Lovin Care, we're registered to provide services under all four categories of the Support at Home program. Our bilingual team can walk you through the entire process in Mandarin or Cantonese — from the initial My Aged Care registration, through the assessment, and into your first services. We know the system can feel overwhelming, especially when English isn't your first language. That's exactly why we're here.
If you have questions about how the changes affect your family, call us on 0427 621 031 or email info@lovincare.com.au. We're happy to have a free, no-obligation conversation in your preferred language.