As of 1 October 2026, Support at Home personal care changes have taken effect, making personal care services more affordable for eligible older Australians. Under the new arrangements, the government will fully fund approved personal care services, so participants will no longer need to pay a personal contribution for this support.
The change is designed to make essential personal care more accessible, helping older people maintain their dignity, personal hygiene and independence while continuing to live comfortably in their own homes.
If you or a loved one receives in-home aged care services, understanding what these changes mean can help you make informed decisions about your care and support.
What Is Changing Under the Support at Home Program?
From 1 October 2026, personal care services under the Support at Home program moved from the Independence contribution category to the Clinical Supports contribution category.
Previously, participants generally had to contribute towards the cost of personal care services, with the amount depending on their individual circumstances and applicable contribution arrangements.
Under the new rules, the Australian Government will fully fund approved personal care services. This means eligible participants will no longer pay out-of-pocket contributions for personal care delivered from 1 October 2026, provided their approved support plan includes personal care, and they have sufficient funding in their Support at Home budget.
This change recognises that personal care is essential to supporting older Australians to live safely, comfortably, and independently at home.
What Services Are Included in Personal Care?
Personal care includes practical help with everyday activities that may become more difficult because of ageing, reduced mobility, or changing support needs.
Under the Support at Home program, personal care services can include:
- Showering and bathing: Help maintaining personal hygiene safely and comfortably.
- Dressing: Help with getting dressed and managing everyday clothing needs.
- Personal hygiene: Support with daily hygiene routines and personal grooming.
- Continence support: Assistance with non-clinical continence management.
- Eating: Help with eating when additional support is needed.
- Medication assistance: Support with self-administration of medication.
These services can help older people maintain their comfort, dignity and confidence while continuing to live in familiar surroundings.
The definition of personal care is not changing under the new arrangements. Instead, the change relates to how these services are funded and whether participants need to contribute towards their cost.
If you are unsure whether a particular service is classified as personal care, speak with your aged care provider to clarify what is included in your approved support plan.
What Do the Changes Mean for Older Australians?
For older Australians receiving Support at Home services, removing personal care contributions may make a meaningful difference to their finances and their ability to access everyday assistance.
1. No More Personal Care Contributions for Approved Services
From 1 October 2026, eligible participants will no longer need to pay a personal contribution for approved personal care services delivered on or after this date.
This may reduce the financial pressure of receiving regular assistance with showering, dressing, hygiene, and other daily activities.
Remember that personal care must still be approved in your support plan, and you must have available funding in your Support at Home budget. The change removes the participant contribution; it does not provide unlimited or separate funding for personal care.
2. Greater Access to Essential Daily Support
For some older people, the cost of care can influence how often they seek assistance. Removing personal care contributions may make it easier to access approved support without worrying about the additional out-of-pocket expense.
Regular personal care can play an important role in maintaining personal hygiene, comfort and wellbeing. It can also help people manage everyday activities when mobility, strength or confidence changes over time.
For families and carers, knowing that an older loved one can access approved personal care without a service contribution may also provide greater peace of mind.
3. More Support to Maintain Independence at Home
Many older Australians want to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Personal care can help make this possible by providing practical assistance with daily routines while allowing people to retain choice and control over their lives.
Instead of struggling with tasks that have become difficult, older people can receive support tailored to their needs, preferences, and routines.
This assistance can help people maintain their independence, remain connected to their community and continue enjoying the comfort and familiarity of home.
4. An Opportunity to Review Your Care Needs
If you have previously limited the amount of personal care you receive because of the cost, the upcoming changes may be an opportunity to discuss your support needs with your provider.
You may wish to review your current care arrangements and consider whether additional approved personal care would help you manage daily activities more comfortably.
Your provider can help you understand your existing support plan, available budget and options for adjusting your services to better reflect your needs and preferences.
Any changes to your services must still fit within your approved support arrangements and available funding.
What Is Not Changing Under the New Rules?
While the personal care contribution changes are positive news for many older Australians, not every aspect of Support at Home is changing.
Your eligibility and approval requirements will remain the same. You must still be assessed and approved for personal care services, and you must have available funding in your Support at Home budget.
Your existing care arrangements can continue. If you already receive approved personal care, you can generally continue receiving services through your current provider without needing a new assessment solely because of this change.
Other service contributions will still apply. Services such as house cleaning, gardening, shopping assistance and meal preparation may continue to attract participant contributions under the Support at Home program. The new arrangements apply specifically to personal care.
Services delivered before 1 October 2026 will still attract applicable contributions. The change is not retrospective, so you will not receive a refund for personal care contributions for services delivered before the start date, even if you invoice them later.
These distinctions are important when reviewing your aged care budget and planning for ongoing support.
Do You Need to Do Anything Before 1 October 2026?
If you already receive Support at Home services, you don’t need to apply separately to receive the personal care contribution change.
However, there are a few practical steps you can take to prepare:
- Review your current support plan. Check which personal care services you are approved to receive.
- Talk to your provider. If cost has previously prevented you from accessing the personal care you need, discuss whether you should review your care arrangements.
- Understand your available funding. Personal care will still be funded through your existing Support at Home budget, so it is worth understanding how your funding is allocated.
- Check your invoices and statements. After 1 October, approved personal care services delivered from that date should no longer attract a participant contribution. Contact your provider if you have questions about how the change is reflected in your charges.
If you are not yet receiving government-funded aged care, you will still need to follow the usual assessment and approval process to access Support at Home services.
For official information, visit the Australian Government’s personal care contribution change page or contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
How KompleteCare Can Help You Continue Living Independently at Home
At KompleteCare, we understand how important it is for older Australians to feel comfortable, respected and supported in their own homes.
Our personalised in-home aged care services help people maintain their independence, dignity, and quality of life while receiving the assistance they need.
Our personal care support workers can assist with everyday routines, including washing, dressing, grooming and other approved personal care activities. We take the time to understand each person’s needs and preferences, helping make daily routines as comfortable and manageable as possible.
As a Support at Home provider, KompleteCare can also help you understand your support options and discuss how the upcoming changes may affect your care arrangements.
Whether you already receive in-home care or are exploring support for yourself or a loved one, our team is here to help you understand your options.
You deserve care that supports you to live life your way.
Find out more about our personal care services or explore our aged care and disability support services.
Contact KompleteCare to discuss your needs and arrange a free initial consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Support at Home Personal Care Changes
When do the Support at Home personal care changes start?
The changes came into effect on 1 October 2026. From this date, the Australian Government will fully fund approved personal care services for eligible participants with available Support at Home funding.
Will personal care be free under Support at Home?
Approved personal care services delivered from 1 October 2026 will have no participant contribution. However, you must include personal care in your support plan and have sufficient funds in your Support at Home budget. Other services may still attract contributions.
What personal care services are covered?
Personal care includes assistance with daily activities such as showering, dressing, personal hygiene, eating, non-clinical continence management and assistance with self-administration of medication, where approved under your support plan.
Do I need a new assessment to receive the benefit?
No. If you are already assessed and approved for personal care under Support at Home, you will not need a new assessment solely because of the contribution change.
Will my cleaning and gardening services also become free?
No. The change applies specifically to personal care. Other services, including domestic assistance, gardening, shopping and meal preparation, may continue to attract participant contributions under the existing arrangements.
Can I receive more personal care after 1 October 2026?
You can discuss increasing your personal care services with your provider if your needs have changed or cost has previously been a barrier. Any additional services must be approved and fit within your available Support at Home funding.
Where can I find out more about the changes?
Visit the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing or contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 for further information.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about changes to the Support at Home personal care contribution as at October 2026. Individual eligibility, approved services and available funding may vary. For advice about your circumstances, speak with your aged care provider or contact My Aged Care.