Changes to contributions while accessing Support at Home

If you receive services under the Support at Home program, different events can affect your contributions.

How can my contributions change?

Your contributions can change because of changes to your personal or financial circumstances, the amount or mix of services you receive, and regular indexation of pension thresholds and amounts.

From 1 November 2025, Support at Home program participants will contribute towards the cost of some services, while other services will be free. Contribution rates will be based on your income and assets, and they will vary by the amount and type of service you receive. You will only pay contributions for services you receive.

Contribution rates will be set as a percentage of the price of each service you receive. The government will pay the remainder to the provider.

• You will not have to contribute for clinical care services such as nursing and physiotherapy. The government will pay for all clinical care costs.
• Contributions for services that support your independence, such as personal care, will be moderate.
• Everyday living services, such as cleaning and gardening, will attract the highest contribution rates.

Your contributions towards independence and everyday living services can change because of:

• changes to your personal or financial circumstances
• regular indexation in line with increases to the age pension in March and September.

Anyone who was receiving a Home Care Package or approved for a package on or before 12 September 2024 will be subject to the ‘no worse off principle’ arrangements. These participants will make contributions in Support at Home that are the same, or lower, than they did on the Home Care Packages Program.

Read more about your contribution rates if you entered care on or before 12 September 2024.

How will I find out if my contribution rate has changed?

If your contribution rate changes, Services Australia will let you (and/or your nominee, if you have one) and your service provider know by letter. They will also write to you and your service provider if you reach your lifetime cap.

Review of contribution rate

Services Australia checks if you are paying the correct contribution rates during their regular reviews. They will check if your personal or financial circumstances have changed and may seek updated income and asset information from you if required.

What happens if my contribution rates change?

If there are changes to your contributions, Services Australia will send you a letter to let you know. The date your contributions changes will also be included in the letter.

If the date your contributions changed is in the past and you have overpaid, your provider will refund you the overpaid amount.

Refund amounts advised in letters from Services Australia are only valid if you have paid the contribution amounts previously advised by Services Australia. If you paid a different amount, your provider may need to adjust the refund amount. Your provider can explain this to you.

Learn more about Support at Home costs and contributions.

Lifetime cap on your contributions

There are lifetime caps that apply to Support at Home contributions.

For those on the 1 November 2025 fee arrangements (not subject to the 'no worse off principle'), once you reach $135,318.69 (indexed) in contributions, you reach your lifetime cap and will not have to pay any further contributions under Support at Home.

Those who are eligible for the ‘no worse off principle’ will retain the current lifetime cap of $84,572 (indexed) and will pay no more contributions once this is reached.

Any contributions paid while in home care and Support at Home will also count towards the lifetime cap if you move into an aged care home. Learn more about lifetime caps on contributions in aged care homes.