The Australian Government will fully fund personal care services under the Support at Home program, meaning eligible older Australians can access services like showering, dressing and continence care at no out-of-pocket cost.
All personal care services on the Support at Home service list will move from the Independence category to the Clinical Supports category, removing the need to pay contributions.
Older Australians won't have to pay out-of-pocket costs for personal care services if they're approved to access these services in their support plan and have available Support at Home funds.
Personal care services funded under Support at Home will be fully funded from 1 October 2026, meaning no out-of-pocket costs for eligible older Australians.
In welcome news for eligible older Australians, there will be no out-of-pocket cost for personal care from 1 October 2026 when the Australian Government begins to fully fund the services.
"These services are essential to supporting health, dignity and wellbeing and are not an optional extra. By removing out-of-pocket costs for personal care, this change will help people maintain their personal hygiene without the additional financial pressure."
Just Better Care spokesperson
Key takeaways
- The Australian Government will fully fund personal care services under the Support at Home program, meaning eligible older Australians can access services like showering, dressing and continence care at no out-of-pocket cost.
- All personal care services on the Support at Home service list will move from the Independence category to the Clinical Supports category, removing the need to pay contributions.
- Older Australians won't have to pay out-of-pocket costs for personal care services if they're approved to access these services in their support plan and have available Support at Home funds.
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What does this change mean for you?
Participants will no longer pay for personal care services, making daily support more affordable for those who need help with everyday self-care tasks.
Older Australians will not be out-of-pocket for accessing personal care services if they:
- Are approved to access personal care services in their support plan
- Have available Support at Home funds
Eligibility and approval requirements for Support at Home remain the same. Participants must still be assessed and approved for personal care services and have available funding.
Under Support at Home, you only pay contributions on the services you've actually received. While clinical support costs are fully covered, co-payments still apply to non-clinical services under the Everyday Living and Independence support categories. Until 1 October, participants will continue to pay applicable contributions for approved personal care services in line with current arrangements.
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What does 'personal care' cover?
The definition of personal care under Support at Home services remains the same. It covers services to help you with daily tasks like:
- Showering
- Non-clinical continence management
- Dressing
- Eating
- Personal hygiene
- Assistance with self-administration of medication
Please note: Personal care does not include hairdressing, medication administered by a nurse, or costs of medication. If you're not sure whether a particular service is included, check the Support at Home service list.
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How a Support Worker can provide personal care
Just Better Care delivers personal care as part of its in-home support services, with qualified local Support Workers, Registered and Enrolled Nurses and healthcare professionals helping you to live safely and independently at home.
Support is delivered discreetly and respectfully in your own home. Our Support Workers can help you feel clean, comfortable and confident through:
- Showering, bathing and washing, at a pace that feels comfortable
- Help getting dressed and undressed, and choosing clothes for the day
- Personal hygiene and grooming, including hair, skin and nail care
- Oral care, such as brushing teeth and looking after dentures
- Support with toileting, continence and using continence aids
- Help moving safely, including getting in and out of bed or a chair
- Applying creams, lotions or prescribed skin care
04
What do you have to do?
You don't have to do anything unless you want to take up more personal care because of the change. You can contact your local Just Better Care office to discuss any changes to your care plan.
Check to see whether personal care is approved in your own support plan to access the fully funded services. This article can also help you understand the costs behind in-home care.
If you're considering Support at Home services, you will need to go through My Aged Care and request an assessment. Once you are deemed eligible, you can nominate Just Better Care as your provider, and our friendly local team will work with you to build out your care plan and support services.
Frequently asked questions
What is Support at Home?
The Support at Home program is the Australian Government's in-home aged care program that replaced Home Care Packages in November 2025. Every local Just Better Care office is a registered Support at Home provider with experienced team members who can walk you through the program step by step.
Do I need to pay for clinical support?
Where clinical support is needed, it can be arranged through in-home nursing. You pay co-contributions only for services used. Clinical care has no co-contribution.
What can I do without funded care?
If you are not yet eligible, are waiting for an assessment, or simply want to begin now, personal care can also be arranged privately. Private support is self-funded, flexible and available without a waitlist.
Personal care helps you stay comfortable, safe and independent at home — and from October it's fully government-funded for approved participants.
Contact your local Just Better Care office
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