QUICK ANSWER
From 1 October 2026, approved personal care services under Australia’s Support at Home program will become fully government funded for eligible participants.
This includes assistance with showering, dressing, grooming, continence care, toileting, and mobility support during daily personal care routines.
Eligible older Australians will no longer pay out-of-pocket costs for these approved services, provided they have available funding within their Support at Home budget. The change is intended to improve access to essential care, support independent living at home, and reduce financial pressure on older Australians and carers.
Explore products that support safer and more independent daily care:
We keep a close eye on changes in aged care and home care funding because, honestly, a lot of it is confusing, and our customers shouldn't have to wade through government announcements to figure out what applies to them. So when something genuinely useful comes through, we want to be the ones to tell you about it clearly.
This is one of those times.
From 1 October 2026, the Australian Government will fully fund personal care for eligible Support at Home participants. If you or someone you care for receives support at home, that means help with showering, dressing, grooming, and toileting will no longer cost anything out of pocket. Zerys
It's a meaningful change, and we want to make sure you understand exactly what it means for you.
What services are included under personal care?
Personal care is one of those terms that gets used a lot in aged care conversations, but it's worth being clear about what it actually covers. Under Support at Home, personal care includes:
- Showering and bathing
- Getting dressed and undressed
- Hair, skin, and oral hygiene
- Continence care and toileting support
- Mobility assistance during personal care routines
These are the kinds of tasks that, when they become difficult, quietly affect a person's confidence and sense of dignity every single day. They're not optional. They're foundational. And up until now, they've been sitting in a funding category that required you to contribute toward the cost.
That's about to change.
Why is personal care becoming fully funded under Support at Home?
From 1 October 2026, personal care will move from the independence category to the clinical supports category under Support at Home. This recognises personal care as an essential service that supports the health, dignity, and wellbeing of older people, rather than treating it as an optional extra.
Clinical supports under Support at Home have always been fully government funded, with no participant contribution required. By moving personal care into that category, the government is drawing a clear line: this is essential care, not a lifestyle choice, and it shouldn't come at a personal cost.
By removing out-of-pocket costs, this reform helps older people maintain their independence at home without adding financial pressure for them, their families, or carers. For families already stretched thin managing care responsibilities alongside everything else in life, that's not just good policy. It's a genuine relief. Niche Pursuits
Who is eligible for fully funded personal care?
To qualify, personal care must be included in your approved support plan and you must have available Support at Home funding. If you transitioned from a Home Care Package when the program launched in November 2025, you're already in the system.
To benefit from the change, two things need to be true: personal care must be listed as an approved service type in your support plan, and you'll need available Support at Home funding in your budget.
If you were receiving a Home Care Package, or were approved for one on or before 12 September 2024, you're covered under the "no worse off" principle, meaning your contributions under Support at Home will be the same as, or lower than, what you were paying previously.
If you're not sure what category your services fall under or whether personal care is in your plan, your provider or support coordinator can check that for you. And if you'd like a second set of eyes on it, our team is always happy to help point you in the right direction.
Will you still pay contributions for personal care services?
Right now, personal care sits in the independence category, which means you contribute toward the cost based on your income and assets. From October, that changes completely.
Once personal care moves into clinical supports, you'll be able to access it at no out-of-pocket cost, as long as it's approved in your support plan and you have available funding.
If your contribution rate changes as a result, Services Australia will write to you and your service provider to let you know. If October is getting close and you haven't heard anything, don't just wait. Reach out to your provider and ask. Grammarly
What should you do before the October 2026 changes?
You won't need to re-apply or go through a new assessment for this change to take effect. For most people, it'll happen automatically. But there are a few things worth doing now rather than later:
- Check that personal care is listed as an approved service type in your support plan. If it's not there, speak to your provider about a plan review.
- Talk to your support coordinator about how this frees up funding and whether there are other supports you've been going without because of cost.
- If you've been quietly receiving less personal care than you actually need, this is the right moment to revisit that conversation without the financial pressure hanging over it.
- Watch for any letters from Services Australia as October approaches.
Why are aged care funding rules changing in Australia?
This reform is part of the broader changes to Australia's aged care system that followed the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Support at Home officially replaced the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Program in November 2025, and the October 2026 personal care changes are one of the most tangible improvements participants will feel since that transition.
The intent behind it is something we fully support: older Australians living at home shouldn't have to weigh up personal hygiene against other essential care because of what it costs. Everyone deserves to feel clean, comfortable, and looked after, regardless of their budget.
We're Here If You Need Us
Navigating aged care funding isn't always straightforward, and we know that even good news can come with questions. If you're trying to understand how this change affects your specific situation, or if you need support finding the right products and equipment to complement your care plan, our team at Platinum Health Supply is here.
We work with individuals, carers, and support coordinators every day, and we genuinely care about getting you the right information, not just the right product. Reach out anytime on 1300 604 499.
Frequently Asked Questions About Free Personal Care Under Support at Home
When does personal care become fully government funded?
Personal care services under the Support at Home program will become fully government funded from 1 October 2026 for eligible participants.
What personal care services are covered?
Covered services include showering, dressing, grooming, continence care, toileting support, and mobility assistance during personal care routines.
Who is eligible for fully funded personal care?
Support at Home participants with approved personal care services included in their support plan will be eligible for fully funded care under the new changes.
Will participants still need to pay contributions for personal care?
No. Approved personal care services will move into the clinical supports category, meaning eligible participants will no longer pay out-of-pocket contributions for these services.
Do you need a new assessment to receive the funding changes?
Most participants are not expected to need a new assessment. However, it is important to confirm that personal care services are included in your current support plan.
Understanding what is covered ahead of the October 2026 changes can help you plan with more confidence and make the most of the support available to you.
