From 1 November 2025, Australia’s new Support at Home program replaces Home Care Packages and Short‑Term Restorative Care, with CHSP staying as is until at least July 2027. This guide maps out the first 90 days after the switch so families in Adelaide can move with confidence, protect budgets, and get the right supports in place.

What actually changes on day one

  • Support at Home goes live nationally on 1 November 2025, replacing HCP and STRC, while CHSP continues and transitions no earlier than 1 July 2027.

  • Current HCP recipients and people already approved or waiting in the National Priority System are moved across automatically; no new assessment is needed unless needs have changed.

  • The government has framed the transition to avoid people being worse off, with existing support continuing as funding and services shift to the new program settings.

Budgets: how they transfer and what to watch

  • Existing HCP clients move to Support at Home with funding equivalent to their current HCP level, preserving continuity of care and budget on day one.

  • The new model introduces more granular support levels and program features to better match needs over time, with public materials indicating up to eight support levels and indicative annual amounts up to ~$78,000 as policy settings are finalised.

  • Expect clearer service categories and improved access to equipment and home modifications, which can change how funds are prioritised within a care plan.

Practical budget moves in weeks 1–4:

  • Ask the provider to confirm the starting Support at Home budget that mirrors the previous HCP level, plus any supplements, in writing.

  • Request a line‑by‑line opening statement showing planned supports mapped to the new service categories so nothing critical is missed in the translation.

  • Flag any scheduled large expenses in the next 3 months, like home mods or allied health blocks, to ensure allocation under the new settings.

Reassessment triggers: when to ask, when to wait

  • Under Support at Home, reassessment and reclassification are available as needs change, intended to improve fit over time rather than lock people into a level that no longer suits.

  • A formal reassessment is not required at the 1 November switch for existing HCP recipients unless there has been a meaningful change in health, function, or safety.

  • Triggers worth acting on in the first 90 days include recent hospitalisation, new falls, medication changes, or increased reliance on carers, any of which can justify a review.

How to approach reassessment in weeks 4–8:

  • Document changes since the original assessment, including new risks or goals, and ask the provider to initiate the appropriate review pathway.

  • Prioritise safety‑critical supports first, then build out independence and everyday living services so essential care is never delayed.

Care plan review: a simple 3‑part framework

  • The new program is designed around clearer service groupings and better access to clinical care, independence supports, and everyday living assistance, which should guide the care plan review conversation.

Use this structure in weeks 2–6:

  1. Safety and clinical

  • Check nursing, medication management, wound care, continence, and monitoring needs against the clinical category so the right skill mix and hours are locked in first.

  1. Independence supports

  • Confirm personal care frequency, mobility support, meal preparation, and therapy blocks align with current goals and capacity, adjusting visit duration to reduce fragmentation.

  1. Everyday living and environment

  • Re‑prioritise cleaning, gardening, shopping support, and transport around energy peaks and meaningful routines, and consider whether equipment or minor home mods can replace or reduce some recurring tasks.

 

Support at Home

Equipment and home modifications: act early

  • Support at Home emphasises improved access to assistive technology and home modifications to maintain independence and safety, with streamlined pathways compared to today’s patchwork.

  • Identify the top two risks at home and scope cost‑effective AT or minor mods early in the 90‑day window, because these can unlock time and reduce weekly visit load.

For CHSP clients: status quo for now

  • CHSP services continue under existing arrangements and do not move to Support at Home until at least 1 July 2027, so keep using current grants while monitoring reform updates.

  • If needs are growing beyond entry‑level support, engage My Aged Care for an assessment toward Support at Home pathways post‑November 2025.

A 90‑day checklist for Adelaide families

Weeks 1–2

  • Confirm the opening Support at Home budget and mapped services; request an updated statement and calendar of visits.

  • Book a care plan review with the provider focused on clinical safety first, then independence, then everyday living.

Weeks 3–6

  • Decide on priority assistive technology and minor home modifications; schedule supplier quotes and installation timelines.

  • If needs changed recently, ask for reassessment to ensure the support level matches current circumstances.

Weeks 7–12

  • Check that invoicing and statements reflect the new categories and that spending is tracking to plan, not undershooting or overshooting.

  • Reconfirm goals and adjust visits ahead of summer routines and medical appointments to keep momentum and prevent delays.

How providers can help smooth the landing

  • Providers have been asked to prepare clients for a gradual, low‑disruption transition, with the aim that no one is worse off and continuity is maintained as the system bedding‑in occurs.

  • Ask for a named coordinator, rapid response for urgent issues in month one, and clear escalation pathways if services slip or needs change.

Key dates to remember

  • 1 November 2025: Support at Home replaces HCP and STRC nationally.

  • No earlier than 1 July 2027: CHSP transitions to Support at Home.

If helpful, an Adelaide‑specific version of the checklist can be set up as a printable one‑pager for families to use during provider reviews and equipment quotes.

Disclaimer
This information is general in nature and is provided to help Adelaide families understand upcoming changes. Policy settings and program details can change, and individual circumstances vary. Please verify all details with My Aged Care, the Department of Health and Aged Care, and your chosen provider before making decisions. Clayton Church Homes does not provide legal or financial advice and is not responsible for outcomes based on this content.