Support at Home costs and contributions explained

Clinical services like nursing and physiotherapy are always fully government funded, with no participant contribution regardless of income or assets. Other services, such as personal care and domestic assistance, may involve a contribution based on your financial circumstances. Here's how the cost side of Support at Home actually works.

Why does Support at Home have different cost rules for different services?

The Support at Home service list groups services into three categories, and each one is treated differently when it comes to who pays. This is a deliberate design choice, aimed at making sure clinical and health-related care is never a barrier due to cost, while everyday living support is shared between government funding and a participant contribution based on financial means.

What determines how much I personally contribute?

Your contribution level is based on an income and assets assessment, similar in spirit to how aged care fees have worked in the past. Full pensioners typically contribute less than part-pensioners, and self-funded retirees typically contribute more. This assessment only affects independence and everyday living services; clinical care remains free regardless of your financial position.

Is care management included in the cost, or extra?

A portion of your quarterly budget, generally around 10 percent, is set aside for care management, which covers the coordination and oversight of your services rather than direct care delivery. This is deducted from your overall budget rather than charged as a separate out-of-pocket fee.

What happens if I don't use my full quarterly budget?

Unspent funds can generally be carried over to the next quarter, up to a set limit (commonly the greater of a fixed dollar amount or a percentage of your quarterly budget). Anything beyond that limit is returned to the program rather than accumulating indefinitely, so it's worth using your budget in a way that matches your actual needs each quarter rather than letting it build up unused.

Are there costs outside my quarterly budget?

Yes. Everyday living costs like groceries, rent, and medications are not covered by Support at Home funding, even when a support worker helps with related tasks like shopping. For example, the worker's time to do your shopping is funded, but the cost of the groceries themselves is not. Separate funding pathways also exist outside your ongoing quarterly budget, such as for assistive technology and home modifications, or short-term restorative and end-of-life care.

How do I find out my exact contribution amount?

Your income and assets assessment through My Aged Care will confirm your specific contribution percentages for independence and everyday living services. Your chosen provider can then translate that into real dollar figures based on the services in your care plan, so you know what to expect before services begin.

Getting clarity on your own situation

Costs and contributions can feel like the most confusing part of Support at Home, especially since the answer genuinely depends on your personal financial situation rather than a single flat fee. If you have an approved package and want help understanding what your contribution will look like for the services you need, our team can talk it through with you.