From 1 October 2026, eligible Support at Home clients will no longer pay a client contribution for Personal Care.

Personal Care funding changes under Support at Home

The Australian Government is changing the way Personal Care services are funded under the Support at Home program.

What is changing?

From 1 October 2026, Personal Care will move from the Independence contribution category to the Clinical Supports contribution category. This means the Australian Government will fully fund Personal Care services, so eligible clients will no longer pay a contribution towards these services

This is an Australian Government change and applies to Support at Home clients only.

Your Personal Care service itself isn't changing. What is changing is how it is funded.

Who does this change apply to?

This funding change only applies to clients receiving services through the Support at Home (SAH) program. If you receive Personal Care through Support at Home, the new funding arrangements will apply from 1 October 2026.

If your services are funded through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), this change does not apply to you. Your current funding and contribution arrangements will continue under the CHSP.

If you’re unsure which program you are funded under, or what the changes mean for you, please speak with your aged care provider.

What does this mean for you?

If you currently receive Personal Care through Support at Home:

• You will no longer pay a client contribution for Personal Care services delivered from 1 October 2026.

• Your Personal Care service will continue as outlined in your Care Plan.

• You do not need to do anything to continue receiving your Personal Care service.

• Your Personal Care services will continue to be funded from your available Support at Home budget.

If you don't currently receive Personal Care through Support at Home:
If Personal Care isn't currently included in your Care Plan, there is no immediate change to your current services or funding arrangements. If Personal Care is added to your Care Plan in the future, the new funding arrangements will apply.

What about my other Support at Home services?
This change only applies to Personal Care. Your other Support at Home services will continue to be subject to the contribution arrangements for their relevant category.

What happens to your budget?

From 1 October, you won't pay a client contribution for Personal Care. However, the full cost of your Personal Care services will still come from your available Support at Home budget.

While you will no longer pay a client contribution for Personal Care, the full cost of your Personal Care services will still come from your Support at Home budget.

This means that if you receive Personal Care, there may be less of your budget available for other services. Your Care Partner can talk with you about your individual budget and services and help you understand how the change may affect your care.

What is Personal Care?

The definition of Personal Care is not changing.

Personal Care includes assistance with everyday personal needs such as:

• Showering

• Dressing

• Personal hygiene

• Eating

• Non-clinical continence management

• Assistance with self-administration of medication

There are no changes to the services included under Personal Care, how they are delivered, or the roles and qualifications of the workers providing them.

Do you need to do anything?

No.

If you currently receive approved Personal Care services through Support at Home, you don't need to contact Services Australia or My Aged Care about this change unless you are advised otherwise.

If you have questions about your individual circumstances, your Support at Home budget or how this change may affect your services, please speak with your Burnie Brae Care Partner.

Want to know more?

For the latest information about the Personal Care funding change, visit the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing: Personal care contribution change or view the easy-read document.

Our Burnie Brae Team is here to help. If you have questions about how this change applies to your services or Support at Home budget, please contact us.

Information current as at September 2026. Government guidance may be updated from time to time.