Each quarter you may carry over up to 10% of that quarter’s budget or $1,000, whichever is greater, to cover unplanned needs in the next quarter. If you are moving from HCP, your unspent balance transitions with you on day one.
You pay nothing for Clinical Supports. Means-based contributions apply to Independence and Everyday Living, with lower rates for full pensioners and higher rates for self-funded retirees. There are annual caps, a lifetime cap of around $130,000 on non-clinical contributions, and formal hardship assistance if you’re struggling to pay.
Services are grouped as Clinical Care, Independence supports and Everyday living. Clinical Care such as nursing and allied health is fully funded by government; Independence and Everyday living cover things like personal care, transport, cleaning and meal preparation. Assistive Technology and Home Modifications are funded from a separate AT-HM stream so essential equipment doesn’t drain your regular care budget.
Funding is tied to your classification and paid quarterly into an account managed by Services Australia. Annual budgets span roughly $10,732 to $7,810 across Levels 1 to 8, giving predictable, needs-based funding that you can direct to approved services in your plan.
A Single Assessment using the Integrated Assessment Tool records your goals, daily living needs and clinical requirements, then assigns one of eight classifications and produces a personalised support plan. The assessor can visit at home or conduct the assessment by phone, and a carer or interpreter can be involved if you wish.
You’re generally eligible if you are 65 or over, or 50 or over for First Nations people, live at home and need support with daily activities or health needs. You start by contacting My Aged Care online or on 1800 200 422 to complete a quick check and book an assessment.
It begins on 1 November 2025. If you already have a Home Care Package, you move across automatically on that date with your current funding level and any unspent funds carried over. You won’t need a new assessment just for the switch, and your services continue while your provider aligns them to the new service list.
It is a single, government-funded in-home aged care programme that replaces Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care on 1 November 2025. It introduces eight ongoing funding classifications, a national service list and stronger consumer protections, so people can receive the right help at home without juggling multiple schemes.
