A carer in a blue uniform assists a smiling elderly woman in putting on a bright pink cardigan.

The Australian Government has updated the Support at Home Program to make Personal Care services fully government funded starting 1 October 2026.

That means zero out-of-pocket costs and no co-payments for essential daily activities like showering, dressing, grooming, and continence support. If personal care is approved in your support plan, the full cost is covered by your government funding with no client contribution required.

Here is a practical breakdown of what changed, which daily tasks are covered, and the steps to take if you need more support at home.

What is changing?

When Support at Home launched in November 2025, Personal Care was placed in the Independence service category. Services in that category require a client contribution, meaning you pay a percentage of the service cost based on your income and pension assessment.

From 1 October 2026, personal care officially sits in the Clinical Supports category. This places it alongside nursing, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy, which are fully funded by the government without out-of-pocket co-payments.
The update reflects essential reality: assistance with daily hygiene, safe transfers, and bathing is vital clinical care.
 
Important timing note: Full funding applies strictly to services delivered on or after 1 October 2026. Any personal care visits completed prior to this date remain subject to standard co-payments under your previous budget arrangement.

Which Personal care tasks are 100% funded?

Services classified under fully funded personal care include:

  • Showering and bathing assistance 
  • Help with dressing and undressing 
  • Grooming, including hair, shaving and oral hygiene 
  • Non-clinical continence management (assistance with continence care) 

Clinical supports vs. Independence Category: Service breakdown

Not all home support services are free of co-payments. The table below outlines how common Support at Home services are categorised:
Category Typical Services Included Co-Payment / Client Contribution
Clinical Supports Personal care (showering, dressing), registered nursing, physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy $0 (100% covered by government funding)
Independence Meal preparation, assisted shopping, transport, social support, light domestic assistance Variable co-contribution based on income assessment
Everyday Living Home maintenance, heavy gardening, home modifications Variable co-contribution based on income assessment
For an overview of how your total package budget is allocated across these tiers, read our Support at Home budget and classification guide.

What do Holdsworth clients need to do? 

For most Holdsworth clients receiving Personal Care, the answer is straightforward: nothing. From 1 October 2026, we will apply no contribution to your Personal Care services automatically. 

That said, there are a few situations where it is worth taking action before October. 

If Personal Care is already in your support plan, you do not need to do anything. Your contribution for those visits will simply stop from 1 October. Check your quarterly statement after that date to confirm. 

If you have been having fewer Personal Care visits than you need because of the cost, now is a good time to talk to your Care Partner about increasing your hours. The financial reason to limit visits is going away, and your care plan can be adjusted to reflect your full need. 

If Personal Care is not currently in your support plan, the full funding only applies to clients who have Personal Care approved as a service type. If it was not included in your plan, contact us. We can discuss whether a reassessment makes sense for your situation and support you through the process. 

  

Not sure what this means for your situation? 

That is completely understandable, aged care policy changes can be difficult to understand, and everyone’s care plan is different. 

The best thing to do is call your Holdsworth Care Partner directly. They can look at your specific support plan, your current services, and your quarterly budget, and tell you exactly what this means for you. 

If you are not yet receiving Support at Home services but are thinking about it, this is also a good time to start the conversation. Support at Home Personal Care services being fully funded makes the program more accessible than it has ever been. 

Call us on 1300 882 962 or email agedcare@holdsworth.org.au. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are personal care services completely funded under Support at Home?

Yes. From 1 October 2026, personal care services approved under your Support at Home plan are classified under Clinical Supports and are 100% covered by government funding, with no co-contribution required.

Do I need a new My Aged Care assessment to stop paying co-payments?

If personal care (such as showering or dressing) are already approved in your current support plan, you do not need an assessment. The zero-fee policy applies automatically from 1 October 2026.

Does this mean cleaning and gardening are free too?

No. Full funding applies exclusively to Clinical Supports, which now includes personal care. Everyday living and independence supports, such as house cleaning, meal delivery, and garden upkeep, still require a client co-contribution based on your income test.

Can I increase my personal care hours now that it is fully funded?

You can increase hours up to the financial limits of your overall Support at Home budget tier. Your Care Partner can run a quick budget check to confirm how many hours your allocation allows.

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