$0 Clinical Care at Home: Fully Funded Nursing under the Support At Home Program
From 1 November 2025, the Australian Government's Support at Home program will replace Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care. There some big changes to who provides aged care and in the way aged care will be funded.
One big change: a single aged care provider (also known as a care partner) will manage and deliver all your services.
For example, if you need help with showering or transportation, you will have one provider who will support you across all of those areas.
Aged care funding is also changing. For all Support at Home services, contribution arrangements apply for services delivered in the independence and everyday living service categories.
While clinical care delivered at home by registered nurses and allied health professionals is fully funded and carries no fee.
In this blog post we explain what that includes, how your budget works, and how to get started.
At a glance
One aged care provider (care partner): Your aged care services will be delivered by a single provider as one point of contact who will manage your care plan and service delivery.
Three service categories: everyday living, independence and clinical care.
Fully funded: Clinical services are paid for by the Australian Government. You won't be charged for nursing or allied health under Support at Home. Nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and continence care are covered - delivered in your home.
Your budget: After your aged-care assessment, you'll receive a quarterly budget. Up to $1,000 or 10% of unspent funds can roll over. 10% is set aside for care management that goes to your aged care provider. Even if you self manage, this amount will stay the same.
Extra help when things change: Short-term pathways (Restorative and End-of-Life) provide additional funding if your needs shift.
What "clinical care" means
Support at Home groups services into three buckets: clinical care, independence, and everyday living.
This includes support for:
Independence – such as help with getting dressed, taking medications, transport or respite care.
Everyday living – such as cleaning, gardening, shopping or meal preparation.
Clinical care – nursing care, occupational therapy and continence care.
Clinical care is health-related support delivered by qualified professionals, such as:
Nursing: wound care, medication management, chronic condition support.
Occupational therapy: safe ways to do daily activities, home set-up and equipment.
Physiotherapy: mobility, balance, strength and falls prevention.
Continence care: assessment, plans and equipment advice.
These services are tailored to you, provided in your home, and can help you stay well, recover sooner, and reduce hospital visits.
Why is clinical care fully funded?
Clinical nursing services will be fully covered under the new Support At Home program that now been deferred to start 1 November 2025.
Under Support at Home, clinical services (nursing and allied health) are fully funded.
That means no out-of-pocket fees for your nursing care.
You may still contribute to independence (for example personal care, medication, transport) and everyday living supports (for example cleaning, gardening, shopping).
If you're already on a Home Care Package before 12 September 2024, the 'no-worse-off' guarantee means you'll pay the same or less than before for your non-clinical supports.
Learn more on our Nursing Care page or contact the BCD care team on 1800 275 223.
How budgets work (and what care management does)
After your aged care assessment, you'll receive a Notice of Decision confirming your ongoing service classification and your approved quarterly budget.
There are eight ongoing classifications, each with a funding level based on your needs.
You can change the mix of services anytime - for example, more nursing after a hospital stay, then later shift back to social or domestic support.
If you don't use all your funding for the quarter, up to $1,000 or 10% of unspent funds will roll into the next quarter.
Assistive technology and home modifications are budgeted separately, so they don't reduce your service funds.
10% of your quarterly budget is reserved for care management. This covers coordination, scheduling, case conferences, family communication, reviewing your care plan, monitoring changes, and helping you navigate the system.
When you start your journey with BCD, you'll have a Senior Care Worker who will be working hand in hand with your clinical nursing team.
Our approach, which we call our Senior Care Worker model was built and refined over 22 years of listening to our customers and families, to learn what worked well, what we could improve and understand what they wanted more of.
We think of this as surrounding every client with a village - showing that great care is always a team effort, with your goals, your needs and preferences at the centre.
The Senior Care Worker is your go-to person who checks in, updates your plan and keeps your supports running smoothly.
Extra help when your needs change (short-term pathways)
Sometimes you might need extra support, when the time comes, you can access additional pathways to help you regain independence after a hospital stay for example or for end of life care at home.
Restorative Care Pathway: Up to 16 weeks of restorative care to help you regain independence after illness or injury. Includes an extra budget of $6,000 (up to $12,000) for multidisciplinary services. Can be used alone or alongside your ongoing services. If needed, you can also access Assistive Technology & Home Modifications (AT-HM), funded separately.
End-of-Life Pathway: To support people with three months or less to live who wish to remain at home, this pathway provides urgent access to high level funding for in home care. This includes up to $25,000 over 12 weeks (with 16 weeks to use the funds) for clinical and palliative care, allied health, and any essential AT-HM so you're comfortable and well-supported.
Getting assessed and getting started
Book an assessment: Contact My Aged Care to request an in-home assessment. An assessor will talk with you about your health, daily routines and goals.
Read your Notice of Decision: This sets out your classification, quarterly budget and the services you can receive.
Choose your provider: From November 2025 you'll have a single provider coordinating all your services, including arranging AT-HM if needed. Your care partner will work with you to set up your plan - and you can adjust your services anytime as your needs change.
If you'd like help getting ready for Support at Home – the BCD care team can walk you through your options and what to do next. Give us a call on 1800 275 223 we'll walk you through it in plain English and make sure you understand your options.
FAQs
Find answers to common concerns on our FAQ page.
Which clinical services are fully funded?
In-home nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and continence care. Other allied-health services may be included if listed and delivered by qualified practitioners.Do I pay anything for nursing?
No. Clinical care is fully funded under Support at Home. Contributions only apply to independence and everyday-living supports.What if my needs change suddenly?
Ask for a reassessment, or your provider can help you access a short-term pathway - Restorative (up to 16 weeks of intensive therapy/nursing) or End-of-Life (up to $25,000 over 12 weeks, with 16 weeks to use it).
Sources:
My Aged Care Helpline: 1800 200 422
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-07/support-at-home-program-services.pdf
Support At Home: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home
Disclaimer
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.