From 1 October 2026, the Australian Government is fully funding approved personal care services for eligible older people who are Support at Home participants.
What is changing?
Older people who are approved for personal care services and have available Support at Home funding will no longer pay an out of pocket cost for these services. Personal care services will continue to be funded from your available Support at Home ongoing quarterly budget.
Personal care includes support with tasks such as:
- showering
- dressing
- eating
- personal hygiene
- non-clinical continence management
- assistance with self-administration of medication.
This change recognises personal care as an essential service that supports your health, dignity and wellbeing - not an optional extra.
What is not changing?
Your eligibility for personal care services is not changing. This change does not provide additional Support at Home funding.
What do I need to do?
You do not need to do anything. The change is happening automatically from 1 October 2026. Your provider may contact you to update documents like your service agreement, care plan, budget, statements or invoices.
