SAH: Classification and funding changes

Name: Villa Maria Catholic Homes
Address: 486 Albert Street, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
Telephone: +1300 698 624
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28 March 2025

28 Mar 2025

Understanding the New Support at Home program

In summary:

Home Care Packages will be replaced
The new system will have eight classifications
Individuals will be prioritised into different classifications using information gathered during their assessment.

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Understanding the New Support at Home program

The Australian Government is introducing a new classification framework for home care, starting 1 July 2025, to better match services to participants’ needs. This new system will allow reassessments over time, ensuring individuals receive the right level of support as their care needs change.

What’s changing?

The current Home Care Package (HCP) system, which includes four levels, will be replaced with:

Eight ongoing Support at Home (SAH) funding classifications
Two short-term care pathways
Restorative Care Pathway (for temporary recovery support)
End-of-Life Pathway (for palliative care needs)

Additionally, there will be three funding tiers for assistive technology and home modifications under the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme.

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New classification levels and funding

The table below outlines the indicative budgets for SAH participants. These figures are subject to adjustments, including indexation, during the 2024-25 financial year.

Classification	Quarterly budget	Annual amount
1	~ $2,750	~ $11,000
2	~ $4,000	~ $16,000
3	~ $5,500	~ $22,000
4	~ $7,500	~ $30,000
5	~ $10,000	~ $40,000
6	~ $12,000	~ $48,000
7	~ $14,500	~ $58,000
8	~ $19,500	~ $78,000
Restorative Care Pathway (Maximum 2 units over a 12-month period)	~ $6,000 (12 weeks) May be increased to ~ $12,000 when eligible
End-of-Life Pathway (one-off)	~ $25,000 (12 weeks)
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (High-tier capped at $15,000 per lifetime)	Low ($500), Medium ($2,000), and High ($15,000) funding tiers based on assessed need.

A support worker helping an older woman with her exercises.

A new prioritisation system

With SAH, a new prioritisation system will replace the current National Priority System for Home Care Packages. Individuals will be prioritised based on information collected during their assessment, ensuring those with the highest need receive timely support.

If you or a loved one needs home care and have been approved or assigned a Home Care Package, now is the time to talk to VMCH to secure support before these changes take effect.

Understanding the Single Assessment System for Aged Care

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SAH: Classification and funding changes

SAH: Participant contributions

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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.