Protected: Changes to Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC)

Name: Villa Maria Catholic Homes
Address: 486 Albert Street, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
Telephone: +1300 698 624
Price range: Contact Us

17 April 2025

17 Apr 2025

From 1 July 2025, the current Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Program will be replaced by the new Restorative Care Pathway.

A support worker helping an older man with his walker

In summary:

Short-Term Restorative Care Program will be replaced by the Restorative Care Pathway on the 1st of July
The new pathway will focus on intervention to prevent or delay the need for longer-term care
12 weeks of care are now offered through the program
Funding has increased to $12,000 with potential access to more

Don’t forget to share this article:

Introducing the new Restorative Care Pathway

From 1 July 2025, the current Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Program will be replaced by the new Restorative Care Pathway, a change that means more support will be available to more people.

The number of places available each quarter will more than double (from 2,269 to 5,000), helping even more older Australians access early, targeted care to help them stay independent for longer.

What is the Restorative Care Pathway?

The Restorative Care Pathway is designed to help older people regain strength and function, and delay or avoid the need for longer-term care. The focus is on early intervention and prevention, with services tailored to each person’s goals and needs.

You’ll be assessed for the program as part of your aged care assessment.

An older woman being helped to put a jacket on by a support worker.

Want to discuss home care options?

Contact us to connect with a friendly expert for a relaxed, no-pressure conversation.

A woman laughing with her physio while holding a spiky ball.

What’s changing?

Longer support: The new program offers up to 12 weeks of care (an increase from the current eight weeks under STRC)
More flexibility: In certain situations, support may be extended to a total of 16 weeks
Better access: People can access the Pathway twice within a 12-month period, but not in consecutive quarters
Increased funding: The standard budget for the 12-week program is around $12,000, with the potential for an additional $6,000 where needed.

What kind of support is provided?

The program is strongly focused on allied health services, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and other supports that help people rebuild strength, mobility and confidence.

VMCH offers a wide range of allied health services and is an approved provider of both the current STRC Program and the new Restorative Care Pathway. VMCH care partners provide dedicated support throughout the program, working alongside participants to tailor services and help achieve personal goals.

To find out more, contact VMCH for a no-pressure conversation with a member of the team.

A little lost? Start here.

Locating the information you need has become far easier with our useful guide. Answer a few simple questions and you will be on your way.

Not sure where to start?

→

Who needs our services?

I am here for
someone else I am here
for myself I am
looking for a job

Acknowledgement of Country

We here at VMCH respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we gather, and we would like to take a moment to honour the fact that we live on the lands of the oldest civilisation in the world. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.