If you have been trying to understand aged care funding in 2026, you are not alone. The system changed significantly on 1 November 2025, and many families who understood the old home care packages system are now starting again. This guide sets out the funding options available, what each one typically covers, and how to access them, in clear terms.
What Happened to Home Care Packages?
On 1 November 2025, the Australian Government’s Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Packages program under the Aged Care Act 2024.
What this means in practice:
● The old four-level package system no longer applies to new participants.
● People already on a Home Care Package as of 31 October 2025 were moved to an equivalent Support at Home classification automatically, which is commonly termed as being “grandfathered in.”
● Any unspent funds are transferred to the person.
● If you were approved for a package on or before 12 September 2024, the Government’s “no worse off” principle protects your contribution rates.
New participants entering the system from 1 November 2025 onwards are assessed directly into one of the eight new classifications.
The Eight Classification Levels Explained
This is the biggest structural change for families seeking aged care help in Wagga Wagga and across Australia. The move from four levels to eight allows funding to be matched more precisely to individual needs. As of April 2026 (based on Department of Health and Aged Care information), the eight classifications are:
| Classification | Annual funding | Quarterly budget | Typical care needs |
| Level 1 | $10,731 | $2,683 | Light domestic help, social support, occasional transport |
| Level 2 | $16,034 | $4,009 | Regular domestic help, some personal care assistance |
| Level 3 | $21,966 | $5,491 | Personal care assistance, allied health, basic home maintenance |
| Level 4 | $29,696 | $7,424 | Daily personal care assistance, regular nursing visits |
| Level 5 | $39,697 | $9,924 | Complex personal care assistance, equipment support |
| Level 6 | $48,114 | $12,029 | Substantial daily support, clinical services |
| Level 7 | $58,148 | $14,537 | Extensive daily care, multiple service types |
| Level 8 | $78,106 | $19,527 | Near full-time support, complex health needs |
Notes:
● A care management fee of up to 10% is deducted from each quarterly budget.
● Funding amounts are indexed annually on 1 July. Please confirm current figures with My Aged Care or your provider.
● Your classification is determined by an aged care assessor during a home visit and can be reviewed if your needs change.
The Main Ongoing Funding Option
For most people, ongoing Support at Home funding is the primary stream.
Key points:
● After assessment and classification, your quarterly budget is held by Services Australia, not by your provider.
● You can change providers without losing funding.
● Providers claim only for services delivered, and you receive a quarterly statement showing what has been spent.
Working with a reliable Aged Care Provider in Wagga Wagga generally means your quarterly budget is built into a care plan that reflects your daily needs.
What the Funding Covers
Support at Home groups its services into three categories. In practice, many people use a mix of the following, as appropriate to their care plan.
1. Clinical Care
● Nursing visits
● Physiotherapy
● Occupational therapy
● Speech pathology
● Podiatry
Under current rules, clinical care is fully government-funded. You pay no contribution for clinical services, regardless of income or assets.
2. Independence Support
● Personal care assistance (showering, grooming, dressing).
● Products and equipment under the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme.
Participant contributions apply here, based on income and assets.
3. Everyday Living
● Domestic help and light cleaning
● Gardening
● Meal preparation
● Social support and transport
These typically attract the highest participant contributions. Self-funded retirees without a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card can pay up to 80% of the cost of these services.
From 1 October 2026, the Government has indicated that personal care services will be fully funded, removing participant contributions for that specific category.
Short-term Funding Options
Alongside ongoing funding, three separate short‑term pathways are available. These are often useful at key points of change or recovery.
1) Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT‑HM)
● Separate funding, up to $15,000, is available across three tiers.
● Can include: grab rails and stairlifts; wheelchairs and walkers; personal alarms and fall detectors; automated lighting; and medication reminder devices.
● Must be used within 12 months of approval and does not roll over.
2) Restorative Care Pathway
● For a short, targeted period of allied health to help regain function and delay longer-term care.
● Up to two units at $6,000 per unit over a 12‑month period.
● Delivered across one or two 16‑week episodes.
● Focus on rebuilding strength, mobility, and independence.
3) End‑of‑Life Care Pathway
● For older Australians with a prognosis of three months or less who wish to remain at home.
● $25,000 available over 12 weeks, with flexibility to extend to 16 weeks.
● Covers nursing, personal care assistance, allied health, and palliative support.
● Designed to help people stay at home with appropriate care in place.
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Is the Commonwealth Home Support Programme Still Available?
Yes. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) continues to operate separately in 2026. It provides entry‑level support for older Australians who need occasional help rather than a full ongoing care plan.
For families in Wagga Wagga, CHSP remains a practical starting point for people with lower‑level needs who are not yet ready for a full support at home assessment. CHSP is expected to transition into Support at Home, but not before 1 July 2027 at the earliest. Until then, it has its own referral pathway through My Aged Care.
How to Access These Funding Options
The entry point is the same for all streams.
Step 1: Register with My Aged Care
Online at myagedcare.gov.au or by calling 1800 200 422. This creates your record.
Step 2: Complete an aged care assessment
An assessor visits your home to understand your daily needs, health situation, and living environment. A family member may be present.
Step 3: Receive your classification or referral
For ongoing support at home, you receive one of the eight classifications. For CHSP, you receive a referral for entry‑level services. Short‑term pathways may be identified during or after assessment.
Step 4: Choose a registered provider
Once funding is assigned, you generally have 56 days to select a provider and sign a service agreement. Choosing a provider with transparent pricing and a stable local team helps the next steps run smoothly.
Step 5: Build your care plan
Your provider works with you to design a care plan that uses your quarterly budget across the services that match your assessed needs.
Summing Up
The funding options available in 2026 are broader and more structured than under the previous system. Ongoing classifications, short‑term pathways, and the CHSP each serve a different purpose. Understanding which applies to your situation is the first step towards arranging the right in‑home support. For more information about how Home at Heart can support your care needs, please contact our team.
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