How Support at Home Contributions Actually Work: The Three Service Categories Explained
"How much of this will I actually have to pay?" is one of the hardest questions to get a straight answer to under Support at Home, mostly because the answer depends on which category a service falls into, not just your overall budget. Here's how the system is actually structured, in plain English.
The three service categories
Support at Home groups services into three categories, and each one has its own rules about whether you contribute toward the cost:
- Clinical support — nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and similar healthcare services. Fully funded by the Government, so there's no co-contribution regardless of your financial situation. As of 1 October 2026, personal care (showering, dressing, continence support and similar) sits in this category too — see our separate guide on that change.
- Independence — services like mobility support and help managing medication, aimed at helping you stay safe and independent at home. These attract a means-tested contribution, so what you pay depends on your financial assessment.
- Everyday living — practical help around the house, such as cleaning, gardening and meal preparation. Also means-tested, and generally attracts a higher contribution rate than independence services.
Why the categories matter more than the total budget
Two people on the same overall Support at Home classification can end up paying quite different amounts, because it comes down to the mix of categories in their service plan, not just the size of their budget. Someone whose plan leans heavily on clinical and personal care will generally pay less out of pocket than someone whose plan leans more on everyday living services, even at the same funding level. It's worth asking your provider to break down your specific plan by category, rather than relying on a single overall percentage.
What changed on 1 October 2026
Personal care used to sit under the independence category, meaning it attracted a means-tested contribution like other independence services. It's now classified as a clinical support, which means it's fully funded with no co-contribution at all. Everyday living and the remaining independence services keep their existing means-tested arrangements — this change was specific to personal care.
If you held a Home Care Package before 12 September 2024
If you were receiving a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024, you're generally considered a grandfathered client, protected by what's called the "no worse off" principle — broadly, your contributions under Support at Home should be the same as, or lower than, what you would have paid under the old Home Care Package rules, even as your needs are reassessed over time. Exactly how this interacts with category-specific changes like the personal care update depends on your individual circumstances, so your existing provider or My Aged Care is the right place to get a number that's actually yours.
Getting a straight answer for your situation
Category rules explain the structure, but what you'll actually pay depends on your specific classification, assessed means, and service mix. The most reliable way to get a real number is a conversation with your provider or a short chat with us — we'll ask about your situation and give you a straight answer rather than a general percentage that might not apply to you.
Where Elvana Care fits in
Elvana Care works with clients through the Support at Home program, including alongside an existing provider or coordinator if you'd rather top up your budget than switch everything at once. If you're trying to work out what your plan actually costs once it's broken down by category, get in touch and we'll talk it through in plain English.
Not sure what your plan actually costs?
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