Personal care under Support at Home: what the October 2026 change means
If you or a loved one receives aged care through Support at Home, there is a recent Federal Budget update worth knowing about.
From 1 October 2026, eligible participants are expected to have the cost of approved personal care covered through government funding.
Why Personal Care Matters
Personal care is more than helping someone shower, dress or go to the toilet. It helps people stay safe, healthy and comfortable at home.
For example, when a care worker helps Mary shower, they may notice a red mark on her skin before it becomes a wound.
When they help John get dressed, they may notice he is weaker than usual and needs extra support.
When they help Sue with toileting, they can help keep her clean, dry and comfortable. This can prevent skin problems, infections and falls.
Small supports each day can stop bigger health issues from happening.
Personal care helps people keep their dignity, confidence and independence. It also gives families peace of mind, knowing someone is checking in and helping with the little things before they become big problems.
In this blog post, we explain what the change is, when it starts and who it applies to.
If you would like to learn more about the Support at Home program, you can read our easy to read Support at Home guide here.
At a Glance - Key Points
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| The main update | From 1 October 2026, eligible participants are expected to have approved personal care covered through government funding. |
| What’s changing | Personal care that is approved in your plan and covered by available Support at Home funding should not attract a personal contribution from this date. |
| What stays the same | This change does not automatically change your aged care provider, care arrangements, eligibility for personal care or the kinds of support that count as personal care. |
| When it starts | The new arrangement begins on 1 October 2026 and applies to approved personal care provided on or after that date. |
| Who may be affected | Support at Home participants who are approved for personal care services and have enough available funding for those services. |
Dates and details may change. Please check official updates and seek advice about individual circumstances.
The main update: personal care will be fully funded
From 1 October 2026, the way personal care is funded under Support at Home is expected to change. For eligible participants, approved personal care will be covered by government funding instead of needing a personal co-contribution.
To receive fully funded personal care, the service must be included in the person's Support at Home plan. They also need to have enough Support at Home funding available to cover those services.
In simple terms, if your plan includes approved personal care and you have Support at Home funding available, approved personal care from 1 October 2026 should be provided without a personal contribution for that service.
Personal care tasks
Personal care can be one of the most important parts of staying well at home. It can include help with private, everyday routines that many people want handled with respect and consistency.
Depending on a person's needs, personal care may include help with:
| Personal care tasks may include: | Examples: |
|---|---|
| Showering | A care worker helps the person shower safely and feel clean. |
| Dressing | A care worker helps the person choose clothes and get dressed. |
| Eating | A care worker helps the person eat their meal safely. |
| Personal hygiene | A care worker helps the person brush their teeth, wash their face, comb their hair or keep clean. |
| Continence support non-clinical |
A care worker helps the person get to the toilet safely. A care worker helps the person change their continence pad or pull-up. A care worker helps the person clean and wash after toileting. A care worker helps change wet clothing or bedding after an accident. A care worker reminds the person to go to the toilet regularly. A care worker empties and cleans a commode pan or urinal bottle. A care worker helps keep the person clean, dry and comfortable. |
| Assistance with self-administration of medication | A care worker reminds the person to take their medication and helps them open the packet, if needed. |
These are examples of personal care tasks and may not cover every situation.
For some people, this kind of support makes the difference between feeling anxious about the day ahead and feeling settled, safe and more confident at home.
A quick reminder: what Support at Home is
Support at Home is the government program for older people who receive aged care services in their own home which started in November 2025.
Through Support at Home, older people can receive approved help such as services, equipment and home changes that support daily living at home. There are three areas of services: clinical supports, independence supports and everyday living supports.
Personal care services under the Support at Home service list will move from the Independence contributions category to the Clinical supports contributions category.
What this means for older people and families
For older people and families, the practical benefit is that approved personal care may become more accessible without the extra out of pocket costs from 1 October 2026.
This may be especially helpful where personal care is part of a regular routine, such as help with showering, dressing, hygiene, continence support or eating. These are everyday supports, but they can have a big effect on comfort, wellbeing and peace of mind.
What will stay the same
This update is about how approved personal care is paid for. It is not designed to make people start again with their care, or change support they are already approved to receive.
the types of support included as personal care are not changing
this update does not change eligibility for personal care
people do not need a reassessment just because of this funding update
providers and current care arrangements can remain in place
contributions may still apply for other Support at Home services
the change should not be used to reduce or limit a person's care
When the changes to Personal Care starts
The new funding arrangement begins on 1 October 2026. Personal care received before 1 October 2026 will continue under the current contribution rules. For the latest updates and information visit My Aged Care.
Why this change matters
Personal care can make a big difference to how someone feels each day.
Support with things like showering, dressing, hygiene, eating and continence can help an older person feel clean, comfortable, safe and ready for the day. It can also help protect dignity and wellbeing at home.
By removing the personal contribution for approved personal care, the change may make this kind of daily support easier to keep in place.
For families, it may also make it easier to plan for regular care that supports comfort, safety and wellbeing at home.
Who this change applies to
This change is relevant for people who:
are approved for Support at Home funding
have personal care approved in their aged care plan
have available Support at Home funds
receive, or plan to receive, approved personal care services from 1 October 2026
It may also be useful for families and carers who help an older person manage their care arrangements, service agreements, statements or invoices.
What should you do next?
You do not need to apply separately for this change. If personal care is already approved in your Support at Home plan and you have funding available, the new arrangement is expected to apply from 1 October 2026.
Your aged care provider may contact you to update documents such as your service agreement or care plan. If you would like to talk about the amount of personal care you receive, it may also be a good time to review your care plan and budget.
Questions we can help you work through
Changes to aged care funding can feel confusing, especially when they affect services that are part of everyday life. A conversation with your aged care provider can help you understand what this change may mean for you or someone you love.
Helpful questions may include:
Is personal care approved in my Support at Home plan?
Do I have available Support at Home funding?
Will my invoices or statements change after 1 October 2026?
Do we need to update my care plan or service agreement?
Who should I speak to if I would like to review the amount of personal care I receive?
If you need help understanding Support at Home, personal care services or aged care support at home, please reach out to our friendly team. We can talk through your current supports and help you understand the next steps.
You can also contact My Aged Care for official information about your aged care services.
FAQs
When will personal care be fully funded under the Support at Home program?
From the 1 October 2026 for eligible participants under Support at Home program who are approved for personal care services and have enough available funding for those services.
What types of personal care may be included?
Personal care can include everyday support with things like showering, dressing, eating, hygiene, continence and assistance with medication.
These supports can make a big difference to a person's comfort, dignity and confidence at home.
Do I need to change providers or be reassessed?
You do not need to change providers or be reassessed just because of this funding change.
Your provider may contact you to update documents such as your service agreement or care plan. If you are unsure what applies to your situation, it is a good idea to speak with your aged care provider or contact My Aged Care.
Need Help?
If you have questions about Support at Home or need help navigating aged care services, our friendly BCD Care team is here to help. Give us a call on 1800 275 223, or contact us through our online form, we're here to make sure you feel supported every step of the way.
Information correct as at 11 June 2026. Please refer to the My Aged Care. website for the latest updates.
Sources:
MyAgedCare Personal Care Contributions Updates https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/news-and-updates/support-home-personal-care-contribution-changes
Support at Home Service List
https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-08/support-at-home-service-list.pdf
Department of Health, Disability & Aging https://www.health.gov.au/news/personal-care-to-be-fully-funded-under-support-at-home-from-october
My Aged Care Support At Home
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/support-at-home
Information correct as at 11 June 2026. Please refer to the My Aged Care website for the latest updates.
The information provided in this blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the content, we encourage you to visit the relevant government websites for the most up-to-date and official information.