Support at Home for self-funded retirees: what you’ll pay and what to expect  

If you’ve worked hard, saved carefully and don’t receive the Age Pension, it’s natural to wonder how the Support at Home program applies to you and what it might cost.

Here’s a practical guide to how the system works, what support is available, and what you can expect as a self-funded retiree.

Support at Home is the Australian Government’s in‑home aged care program, designed to help older people live safely and independently in their own homes. Support is tailored to individual needs and provided at different levels, from help with everyday tasks to more complex care. An assessment helps determine the level of support needed and how services are delivered.

First, the good news 

Being a self-funded retiree does not exclude you from government-funded aged care support. Support at Home, which replaced Home Care Packages on 1 November 2025, is available to all older Australians who meet the eligibility criteria, regardless of income or assets.

What does change is how much of the cost you’re asked to contribute toward some services.

How contributions work 

Under Support at Home, care costs are shared between you and the government. You pay a percentage of each service you receive, and the government pays the rest directly to your provider. Services are grouped into three categories, each with different contribution rules.

Clinical care 

This includes services such as nursing, physiotherapy and other allied health support.

Clinical care is fully funded by the government. You don’t pay anything, regardless of your financial situation.

Independence support 

Support with personal care (e.g. as showering and dressing), transport, social support and respite sit in this category.

A moderate contribution applies.

Everyday living 

Services like cleaning, gardening and meal preparation fall here.

These services attract the highest contributions.

People on a full pension pay the least. Self-funded retirees who don’t hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card generally pay the most.

What self-funded retirees typically pay 

Self-funded retirees do not pay for clinical care. Contributions apply only to independence and everyday living services.

If you’re a self-funded retiree without a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, the standard contribution rates are:

• 50% for independence support services.

• 80% for everyday living services.

Your provider sets the price for each service. You pay a percentage of that price, and the government pays the remainder as a subsidy.

To put that into everyday terms:

• If personal care costs $60 per hour, you contribute $30.

• If cleaning costs $60 per hour, you contribute $48.

Between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, providers can set their own prices. They’re required to publish these, both on their websites and through the My Aged Care Find a Provider tool, so you can compare before choosing.

From 1 July 2026, government price caps will be introduced to help standardise costs across the sector.

The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card: worth checking 

If you’re self-funded, it’s worth checking whether you’re eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC).

If you hold a CSHC, your contributions are assessed based on income and assets, and this can sometimes result in lower contribution rates than the standard self-funded maximum.

Even if you’ve assumed you wouldn’t qualify, income thresholds do change, so it may be worth checking with Services Australia.

Is there a limit to what you’ll pay? 

Yes. A lifetime cap of $130,000 (as at 1 November 2025) applies to non-clinical aged care contributions.

This cap:

• Applies across both in-home care and residential aged care.

• Protects people who need support over a longer period.

• Means what you contribute now is counted if you later move into residential care.

If you experience genuine financial hardship, you can apply to Services Australia for financial hardship assistance. This is assessed case by case.

If you were already on a Home Care Package 

Your situation depends on when you were approved.

• If you were receiving, or were approved for, a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024, the “no worse off” principle applies. This means your government-set arrangements are protected and you won’t be asked to pay more in contributions than you would have under the previous Home Care Package rules.

In practical terms, if you weren’t paying an income-tested care fee before, you won’t be asked to pay contributions for services under Support at Home.

• If you entered the system after that date, standard Support at Home contribution rules apply.

Income and assets assessments: why they matter

Your contribution rate is calculated through an income and assets assessment with Services Australia, similar to an Age Pension assessment.

If you don’t complete this assessment, you’ll be charged the maximum contribution rate under a “means not disclosed” status.

Even if you expect to be assessed at a higher rate, completing the assessment ensures your contributions are accurate and you’re receiving the correct level of government support.

How to access Support at Home 

If a little extra support at home would help you stay independent and live well, starting the conversation early can make all the difference.

The process is straightforward:

1. Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au.
2. Complete an aged care assessment.
3. Receive your funding classification (one of 8 levels).
4. Choose a provider and review their published prices.
5. Complete your income and assets assessment with Services Australia.

What Support at Home can help with 

Once approved, funding can be used for a wide range of supports, including:

• Personal care and hygiene.

• Nursing and clinical services.

• Allied health support.

• Help with household tasks and meals.

• Social support and transport.

• Assistive technology and home modifications.

Up to $15,000 in additional funding is available for assistive technology and home modifications, separate from your regular care budget.

A practical note on costs 

For self-funded retirees, Everyday Living contributions can add up. Before finalising a care plan, it’s helpful to be clear about:

• Which services fall into which category.

• What your provider charges per hour.

• Whether some support could be delivered as clinical care and therefore fully funded.

Your provider must give you a clear written breakdown of costs. If something doesn’t feel clear, it’s okay to ask questions before you proceed.

Live in a RetireAustralia village? 

If you live in a RetireAustralia community, our Support at Home team would be happy to help you navigate the My Aged Care assessment process. Your Village Manger or on-site Support at Home team member can direct you to the next steps.

If you’re not eligible for government-funded Support at Home services but would still like to receive assistance to help with everyday life, they are available on a fee-for-service basis.