Support at Home personal care changes from 1 October 2026

• Home Care
• RFBI News

Sonia Lim 3 Aug 2026

A change to Support at Home from 1 October 2026 means eligible participants will no longer pay a contribution for approved personal care services.

If you receive support at home, or are considering getting help with personal care, you may have heard about changes coming to the Support at Home program.

From 1 October 2026, all personal care services will move from the Independence category to the Clinical Supports category for contribution purposes. This change applies automatically, so you and your provider don’t need to do anything for it to take effect.

For eligible participants, this means no contribution will apply to approved personal care services, provided you have personal care approved in your Support at Home plan and have available funding.

What does this change mean for you?

Personal care can be an important part of helping older people maintain their independence, dignity and quality of life at home.

It can include support with everyday activities such as:

• Showering and bathing
• Dressing
• Personal hygiene
• Eating
• Continence support
• Assistance with self-administration of medication

Previously, personal care was included in the Independence category, which could mean participants were required to contribute towards the cost of these services.

Going forward, personal care will be treated as a Clinical Support for contribution purposes. So if you’re eligible, you’ll no longer pay a contribution for these approved services.

Who will this apply to?

The change applies to Support at Home participants who:

• are approved for the personal care service type; and
• have available Support at Home funding.

It’s important to remember that the change does not mean everyone automatically receives additional personal care or additional funding. Your approved Support at Home plan and available funding will continue to determine the services you can access.

What if you already receive personal care?

If you already receive personal care through Support at Home, your services can continue subject to your approved support plan and available funding.

The new contribution arrangements apply to personal care services delivered from 1 October 2026.

If you’re unsure how the changes may affect your current services, speak with your care provider about your support plan and options.

Could this change make personal care more accessible?

For some older people, this change may make it easier to access the personal care support they need.

If you have previously reduced or avoided personal care because of the contribution you needed to pay, you may want to consider whether your current support continues to meet your needs.

Talking with your care provider can help you understand what personal care is included in your plan and how your available funding can be used.

How RFBI can support you

At RFBI Care at Home, we understand that navigating aged care and changes to funding arrangements can sometimes feel complicated.

Our team can help you understand the support available to you and discuss how we may be able to help you continue living independently at home.

Whether you need help with personal care, assistance around the home, nursing support or other Care at Home services, we’re here to listen to your needs and help you explore your options.

Want to find out more about the changes or discuss your Care at Home options?

Get in touch with RFBI Care at Home today.

Important information: This article provides general information about changes to personal care contributions under the Support at Home program from 1 October 2026. Individual eligibility, funding and services depend on your circumstances and approved Support at Home plan. For the latest information about Support at Home, visit the Australian Government’s My Aged Care website.