This is an important public announcement: You may not know this, but a new quarter starts tomorrow on 1 April, 2026, so if you have any unused Support at Home funds now (most people do), you will lose most of it.
The good news, is that you’ll only keep $1K or 10% (whichever is greater) to take into the next quarter.
Now that you’re aware of this, let’s help you plan to utilise more services in the second quarter (Q2) so that you don’t waste your precious Support at Home (SAH) funds. One of the best ways to achieve this, and to maximise your funding (without needing to contribute anything), is to use your Clinical Care services.
Regardless of your financial status nor if you are a grandfathered participant, transitional participant or new participant to Support at Home, here we share how utilising Clinical Services can be one of the most effective ways to assure your Support at Home funds don’t go to waste each quarter.
What the “Use It or Lose It” Rule Really Means
- Your Support at Home funding is split into four quarterly budgets.
- You are only allowed to rollover 10% or $1,000 (whichever if higher) of your unspent quarterly funds into the next quarter.
- Example allocations:
- Classification 1: annual $10,731 → quarterly $2,683
- Classification 8: annual $78,106 → quarterly $19,527
Please Note: The current quarter ends 31 March, 2026, and the new quarter starts 1 April, 2026.
We Understand Why You Might Hold Back: Here’s How to Solve This
- Independence and Everyday Living services are means-tested (full pensioner, part pensioner, self-funded retiree). This means that you will need to contribute a percentage of the service cost which can be challenging on a limited income, which you can learn more about here.
- For example, if gardening is $120/hr and you are a full pensioner and new participant of SAH, you will need to contribute 17.5% of $120/hr = $21. We understand that these out-of-pocket costs can add up across multiple Independence and Everyday Living services, which is likely why you have chosen to reduce the frequency of these services.
- Clinical supports services are 100% covered by the government under your SAH funding: no co-contribution is required. This means that you can access services like physiotherapy, podiatry, and nursing for cleaning wounds etc, for free.
- For example, if physiotherapy is $250/hr, regardless of your income status and SAH participant status, you will not need to contribute anything. The $250 will be deducted from your SAH funding. This means that choosing a range of Clinical supports can help you maximise your SAH funding without having to co-contribute a high amount. And if not, you will lose all but $1K or 10% of your unspent funds each quarter.
- Non-clinical contributions are means-tested (full pensioner, part pensioner, self-funded retiree ranges).
- Lifetime co-contribution cap: $130,000.
Important Resources:
- Learn more about Support at Home contributions and what this means for you in our simplified guide here.
- To gauge what your out-of-pocket costs could be, simply use our free Support at Home Contribution Calculator here.
Clinical Care You Can Book Now (Fully Covered)
Clinical Care refers to professional health services delivered by qualified clinicians to support your physical, mental, and functional wellbeing.
These services are designed to help you manage health conditions, maintain independence, and improve your quality of life – all in the comfort of your own home or a suitable care setting.
Clinical Care services include:
- Physiotherapy
- Nursing care (registered/enrolled)
- Podiatry
- Occupational therapy
- Dietitian & nutrition
- Exercise physiology, psychology, speech pathology, counselling, social work, music therapy
To further explore Clinical Care services, please see our full guide here.
All of these services are covered by the Support at Home Clinical Care budget, and do not require a co-contribution.
Already Have a Provider? Here’s What You Need to Check For The Next Quarter
- Check your monthly statements issued by your provider.
- Book in an appointment with your Care Partner to review your quarterly plan.
- Ask to utilise more Clinical supports services such as physiotherapy, podiatry, and nursing.
Important Resources:
Quick Action Checklist By 1 April
- Check your monthly statements and confirm your SAH classification, quarterly allocation, and unspent balance.
- Book to meet with your Care Partner to review your quarterly plan and add more clinical supports services for Q2 onwards.
- Target 90%+ quarterly use.
- Consider switching providers if proactive planning is missing.
Need Help? Connect Now With CareAbout
Support at Home is for your wellbeing; don’t leave clinical funding unused. With the new quarter due 1 April, check your balance, talk to your Care Partner, and book in more services so you don’t lose unused funding in Q2.
Should you still require support, or if you could just benefit from someone to talk to about all of this – that’s exactly what we’re here for.
