Australia’s aged care landscape is rapidly shifting toward in-home services, with more seniors choosing to age independently in familiar surroundings rather than move to residential aged care facilities. The Australian Government’s Support at Home Program responds directly to this trend, replacing the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme in July 2025.
This comprehensive reform creates a simpler, more equitable system by consolidating existing in-home aged care programs into one streamlined framework. The program stems directly from recommendations by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, addressing critical concerns about care quality and accessibility for older Australians.
Support at Home isn’t just good news for seniors—it offers substantial opportunities for aged care providers through increased government funding, simplified compliance processes, and expanded service delivery options.
Let’s have a more in-depth look at these advantages.
Key Benefits of the Support at Home Program for Aged Care Providers
Increased Government Funding and Growth Opportunities
The Support at Home Program represents a significant expansion of Australia’s in-home care capacity. With government targets to support an additional 300,000 seniors by 2034-35, aged care providers can expect substantial growth in demand for their services. This dramatic increase in client numbers means providers who register early can position themselves to capture new market share in this expanding sector.
Funding for the program will grow proportionally with Australia’s ageing population, creating long-term financial stability for providers. The government has committed to increasing the maximum annual funding available for in-home aged care service from $61,440 to $78,000—a 27% increase that enables providers to deliver more comprehensive care to clients with complex needs.
This expanded funding model ensures that registered providers can build sustainable business models while meeting the growing demand for quality in-home care services. Providers delivering specialised services will particularly benefit from the program’s emphasis on comprehensive care options and higher funding caps.
Streamlined Registration Across Aged Care Programs
The Support at Home Program introduces a universal provider registration system that significantly reduces administrative complexity. Providers delivering multiple services—such as combining residential aged care with home care—now only need to register once for all service types rather than managing separate registrations for each program.
This streamlined approach eliminates redundant paperwork and consolidates compliance requirements into a single framework. Providers will spend less time on administrative tasks and more time focusing on care delivery, while still meeting all necessary quality and safety standards. The simplified registration process also makes it easier for existing providers to expand their service offerings without navigating additional regulatory hurdles.
SAH Consulting Can Help You Navigate the Registration Process
We specialise in guiding aged care providers through the Support at Home registration process. Our team understands the challenges providers face when transitioning to this new system—from determining which of the six registration categories applies to your services to preparing the extensive documentation required.
Many providers struggle to interpret how the new regulatory framework affects their specific operations, particularly those offering residential aged care and in-home services. Our consultants work directly with your team to identify the most appropriate registration pathway based on your current and planned service offerings.
We provide end-to-end support including comprehensive compliance checks, documentation preparation, and strategic guidance on meeting all regulatory requirements. Our proven methodology has helped dozens of providers successfully navigate the registration process while minimising disruption to their core operations.
Fairer Classification and Assessment System
The SAH Program introduces a more equitable assessment and classification model that aligns funding with care complexity. This evidence-based approach ensures clients receive appropriate support based on their actual needs rather than arbitrary categories. The new system removes inconsistencies in funding allocation that previously created challenges for service planning and delivery.
For providers, this means clearer planning parameters and greater operational certainty. When clients are referred to your services, you can be confident they arrive with funding levels that accurately reflect their care requirements. This precision allows for more effective resource allocation, staffing decisions, and service delivery planning, ultimately improving business efficiency and care outcomes.
Stronger Focus on Early Intervention and Independent Living
The Support at Home Program emphasises preventative care and early intervention, creating substantial new business opportunities for forward-thinking providers. The program’s upfront funding for assistive technology and home modifications eliminates the need for clients to save from their individual budgets, enabling more immediate implementation of support solutions. Additionally, the Restorative Care Pathway has been expanded from 8 to 12 weeks with double the available places, increasing from 2,269 to 5,000 places per quarter.
These changes open markets for innovative service models in wellness programs, mobility support, rehabilitation services, and preventative health measures. Providers can develop specialised early intervention services that align with the program’s core objective of helping seniors maintain independence. Organisations that position themselves at the forefront of this preventative approach stand to capture significant market share while delivering meaningful improvements to clients’ quality of life and longevity at home.
What Aged Care Providers Need to Know
All providers delivering government-funded aged care services must register under the new Support at Home regulatory model. This universal registration system applies across all aged care programs, including existing Home Care Packages, Commonwealth Home Support Programme, and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme providers.
Registration categorisation is based on service types, care complexity, and associated risk levels. Providers must identify which of these six registration categories applies to their services:
- Category 1: Home and community services – Including domestic assistance, home maintenance and repairs, meals, and transport
- Category 2: Assistive technology and home modifications – Covering equipment, products, and home adjustments
- Category 3: Advisory and support services – Including hoarding and squalor assistance, social support, and community engagement
- Category 4: Personal care and care support – Covering allied health, personal care, nutrition, therapeutic services, respite, and care management
- Category 5: Nursing and transition care – Including nursing care and assistance with transition care
- Category 6: Residential care – Covering residential accommodation, everyday living, services, and clinical care
Each category carries specific obligations under the Code of Conduct and Aged Care Quality Standards. Categories 4-6 must comply with additional standards reflecting their higher care complexity and risk profiles. Providers delivering multiple service types will need to meet the combined obligations of all relevant categories, creating more integrated caring health systems.
The Future of Aged Care – Take Action Now
The Support at Home Program represents a transformative opportunity for aged care providers across Australia. With increased funding and support for an additional 300,000 seniors, providers who act now will secure sustainable growth while expanding beyond traditional residential aged care into the booming in-home sector. Early registration ensures compliance and competitive advantage, while delays risk administrative bottlenecks, funding gaps, and service disruptions.
Ready to secure your organisation’s future under the Support at Home Program? Book a free consultation with our SAH Consulting team today. Our experts will assess your current services, identify the optimal registration pathway, and develop a tailored compliance strategy. Visit our website to schedule your consultation and ensure your business thrives in Australia’s new aged care landscape.