Useful resources – new Act

• Read the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing About the Aged Care Act 2024 plain language fact sheet for a summary of each chapter of the Aged Care Act 2024. A graphic Easy Read version is also available.
• Read the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing A new Aged Care Act for the rights of older people fact sheet for a summary of the Statement of Rights. An Easy Read version is also available. 

From 1 July 2025, the Support at Home program will replace the Home Care Packages program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme will transition to Support at Home no earlier than July 2027. 

Anyone receiving or approved for a Home Care Package as of 12 September 2024 will be financially ‘no worse off’ under the new program. Those new to the system after this date may pay more. There will be hardship measures for older people with limited means. 

We have included the most important Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing resources to explain the changes from existing home care programs to the new Support at Home program.  

• Support at Home program update webinar  explains the key changes under the new program, including case study examples for how recipient contributions will work
• Support at Home program booklet for older people, families and carers
• Support at Home program  booklet for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and carers
• frequently asked questions about the Support at Home program design
• Support at Home program service list outlines the services Support at Home recipients can access under 3 service categories: clinical supports, independence services, and everyday living services  
• Assistive Technology and Home Modifications List  outlines the products, equipment and home modifications that can be accessed through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications Scheme under Support at Home
• changes to Support at Home pricing arrangements  fact sheet
• indicative price ranges for most Support at Home services fact sheet based on what current Home Care Package program providers have reported that they intend to charge from 1 July 2025
• Support at Home fee estimator provides a general estimate of what Support at Home recipients may need to contribute towards their aged care costs. The exact amount will be assessed by Services Australia
• consumer protections for Support at Home prices fact sheet outlines what Home Care Package recipients should expect when transitioning to Support at Home on 1 July and what steps to take if service pricing is unreasonable or lacks transparency
• Home Care Package recipients should have received a letter in the mail outlining the transition to Support at Home. This fact sheet answers the questions people have about the transition and includes a link to the letter. 

Changes to residential aged care costs will commence from 1 July 2025. The government is applying ‘no worse off’ arrangements so older people who are currently in the aged care system will not be financially disadvantaged. The changes will only apply to older people who move into residential aged care on or after 1 July 2025. 

We have included the most important Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing resources to explain the changes to residential aged care costs. 

• View the residential care fees and means testing webinar which includes consumer contributions 
• Read about the changes to residential aged care costs in the government’s Response to the Aged Care Taskforce – Residential Care Contributions
• Read about the changes to residential aged care accommodation funding and charges in the government’s Response to the Aged Care Taskforce – Accommodation Reform
• View the accommodation funding and the new Higher Everyday Living Fee webinar
• Read about the changes to fees for additional goods and services in the Higher Everyday Living Fee fact sheet. 

For further questions about fees and accommodation costs for residential aged care email the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing at enquiries@health.gov.au. Refer to their webpage for guidance on what they can answer.