Can you get a refund on your Support at Home funds?
If you choose to end your Support at Home agreement or stop receiving services, you may be eligible for a refund on any personal contributions you have made towards your Support at Home funding.
Did you contribute to your Support at Home funding?
If you have made out-of-pocket contributions through a means-based contribution or daily fee, you or your estate will be entitled to a refund of any unspent personal funds once your Support at Home Agreement ends.
If you have not made any personal contributions, no refund will apply. In that case, any remaining balance funded by the government will be returned to the Commonwealth and reallocated to others awaiting funding within the system.
Under Support at Home, unspent government funds are automatically returned to the Department once your agreement ends, ensuring your funding is reassigned efficiently to new recipients who need support.
Unspent Support at Home amounts
When your Support at Home agreement ends, your provider must notify you in writing within 56 days of any unspent funds. This statement will clearly outline how much remains in your budget and where those funds will go.
Your provider’s statement will separate your remaining balance into three categories:
- Your contribution: Any unspent personal contributions that will be refunded to you or your estate
- Government contribution: The portion funded by the Commonwealth, which must be returned to the government
- Transfer amount: If you are switching to another provider, this is the portion that will be transferred to your new provider’s account
Payment of your unspent Support at Home funds
Your Support at Home provider must process and return any unspent personal contributions to you or your estate within 70 days of your agreement ending. Likewise, they must notify the government of any remaining Commonwealth portion within the same timeframe.
These timeframes ensure that funds are fairly redistributed and that participants or their estates promptly receive any amounts owed. If you are transferring providers, your new provider will receive your eligible balance directly to avoid interruptions to your care.
Still confused? Get free, expert help today!
Understanding what happens to your Support at Home funding can be complex, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. CareAbout is Australia’s leading aged care advisory service, helping thousands of families find the right Support at Home or Residential Aged Care options for their needs. Our guidance is completely free and designed to help you make confident, informed decisions.
