Support at Home participants will no longer pay out-of-pocket contributions for personal care services from 1 October 2026, following a Federal Government decision to reclassify personal care as a fully funded Clinical Support.
The change covers services such as showering, dressing, continence management, personal hygiene, eating assistance, and help with self-administering medication. Participants who already have these services included in their approved support plans will automatically receive the funding change, with no reassessment required.
While personal care will become fully government funded, contributions will still apply to other Support at Home services, including cleaning, gardening, transport, and social support. Providers will be required to update billing processes, service agreements, budgets, and monthly statements ahead of the October transition. The change aims to improve affordability and access to essential daily care while reducing financial pressure on older Australians receiving support at home.