iCare4U Support Services | 1300 422 730 | www.icare4u.com.au
If you receive Support at Home services, an important funding change took effect on 1 October 2026.
The Australian Government now fully funds approved personal care services for eligible Support at Home participants. If personal care is included in your support plan and you have available budget, you no longer pay an out-of-pocket contribution for those services.
This change does not alter your eligibility, provider, support worker or daily routine. It changes how approved personal care is funded and how it may appear on your statement.
If you are still learning how Support at Home works, our Support at Home and aged care resources provide helpful background. You can also learn more about our in-home aged care services across Melbourne.
What changed on 1 October 2026?
From 1 October 2026, approved personal care moved from the Independence contribution category to the Clinical Supports contribution category.
Clinical Supports are fully funded by the Australian Government under Support at Home. This means:
- You do not pay a participant contribution for approved personal care delivered on or after 1 October 2026.
- Personal care may appear as Clinical Supports on your statements.
- You must have personal care approved in your support plan.
- You must have available funding in your Support at Home budget.
- The change applies to eligible services delivered from 1 October 2026 onwards.
This is a funding and contribution change. It is not a change to the way your care should be delivered.
The Australian Government’s personal care contribution information and My Aged Care Support at Home guidance provide further information.
What can personal care include?
Personal care is practical assistance with everyday self-care. It should be delivered in a way that protects your privacy, dignity, choice and independence.
Depending on your approved plan and individual needs, personal care may include:
- Showering or bathing
- Dressing and undressing
- Grooming and hair care
- Personal hygiene and oral care
- Non-clinical continence support
- Mobility assistance around the home
- Medication prompts where approved
- Assistance at mealtimes
- Support to prepare for appointments or community activities
Personal care is different from domestic assistance aged care, such as cleaning, laundry, shopping or meal preparation. These services may remain subject to the applicable participant contribution rules.
Your support plan should clearly identify the services you are approved to receive. If you are unsure whether a particular task is included, speak with your provider or contact My Aged Care before assuming it is covered.
What does the change mean for your contribution?
If you have approved personal care in your Support at Home plan and available budget, the government funds the full price of that personal care from 1 October 2026.
You should not be charged a participant contribution for eligible personal care delivered on or after that date.
However, there are several important details to understand.
Your available budget still matters
Personal care remains connected to your Support at Home plan and budget. The change does not automatically create additional funding or guarantee extra visits.
If your budget is limited, your provider will still need to work with you to schedule services within the available amount. The category change removes the personal care contribution. It does not increase the total funding available in your plan.
Other services may still have contributions
The change applies to approved personal care. It does not mean that every Support at Home service is now free.
Depending on the service and your circumstances, contributions may still apply to services such as:
- Domestic assistance
- Cleaning and laundry
- Gardening
- Meal preparation
- Transport
- Social support
- Companionship
- Some forms of respite care
You can review the current contribution information through My Aged Care or discuss your individual circumstances with your provider.
Services delivered before 1 October
Personal care delivered before 1 October 2026 remains subject to the contribution rules that applied at the time.
This remains the case even if the service is invoiced or claimed after 1 October. The important date is when the service was delivered, not when it appears on a statement or claim.
What changed and what did not change?
| What changed from 1 October 2026 | What did not change |
|---|---|
| Approved personal care is fully government funded when delivered on or after 1 October. | Your Support at Home eligibility does not change. |
| Personal care moves from the Independence category to Clinical Supports. | Your existing provider does not automatically change. |
| Personal care appears as Clinical Supports on relevant statements. | Your support worker, routine and service arrangements can remain the same. |
| You no longer pay a contribution for eligible approved personal care. | Personal care must still be included in your support plan. |
| Contributions continue to apply to personal care delivered before 1 October. | The change does not automatically provide more hours or extra budget. |
What this does not change
Your eligibility: You do not need to complete a new assessment simply because personal care has moved categories. The change does not remove or create Support at Home eligibility.
Your provider: Your current aged care provider remains your provider unless you decide to change. You do not need to switch to access the new funding arrangement.
Your care arrangements: The same workers, routines and services can continue. There is nothing about this change that requires your care to be interrupted.
Your other services: Domestic assistance, transport, social support and other services continue to be managed according to your support plan and the relevant contribution rules.
Your right to understand your care: You should be able to ask questions about your budget, services, statements and contributions. Clear communication remains an important part of quality aged care.
What should you do next?
You do not need to make a rushed decision. A few simple checks can help you understand how the change applies to you.
1. Check your support plan
Look for personal care in your approved Support at Home services. If it is included, check how often it is scheduled and whether you have available budget.
2. Review your statements
From 1 October, approved personal care may appear under Clinical Supports rather than Independence. If the wording is unclear, ask your provider to explain the statement.
3. Talk with your provider
Ask your provider:
- Is personal care included in my current support plan?
- Is my available budget sufficient for my scheduled services?
- Will my service schedule or worker change?
- Which other services in my plan may still attract contributions?
- How will services delivered before 1 October be shown?
4. Contact My Aged Care if you need clarification
If you are unsure about your assessment, plan or eligibility, contact My Aged Care directly. Your provider can explain how it delivers services, but My Aged Care is the appropriate place to confirm government assessment and program information.
How iCare4U supports personal care at home
Person-centred care: At iCare4U, we recognise that you are the expert in your own life. Your preferences, routines, culture, communication style and comfort matter. We take time to understand what good support looks like for you.
Respectful personal care: Our team can assist with daily personal care in the comfort of your home, including showering, dressing, grooming, mobility and other approved routines. We focus on preserving dignity and encouraging you to do as much as you can for yourself.
The right worker match: Personal care is personal. We take care when matching you with a support worker whose experience, communication style and approach suit your needs. A good match can make everyday support feel more comfortable and familiar.
Continuity and communication: Consistent support workers and clear communication can help you feel more at ease. We work with you, your family, care manager or support network to understand changes and review arrangements when needed.
Support beyond personal care: We also provide domestic assistance, transport, community participation, respite care and nursing and clinical care, subject to your funding and approved arrangements.
Whether you are looking for home care Melbourne, an aged care provider Melbourne families can speak with, or reliable in home care Australia information, our local team is here to have a clear and respectful conversation.
Frequently asked questions
Does personal care cost me anything now?
If you are an eligible Support at Home participant, personal care is included in your approved support plan and you have available budget, you do not pay an out-of-pocket contribution for personal care delivered on or after 1 October 2026. Contributions can still apply to services delivered before that date or to other services under your plan.
Will I receive more personal care hours?
Not automatically. The funding change removes the personal care contribution, but it does not increase your Support at Home budget or guarantee additional hours. Your service hours remain subject to your approved plan, available budget and agreed schedule.
Will my aged care provider change?
No. Your provider does not change automatically. Your existing provider, support workers and care arrangements can continue unless you or your provider agree to make a change.
Do I need to do anything to receive the change?
You do not usually need a new assessment just because personal care has moved to Clinical Supports. You should still check that personal care is included in your plan and speak with your provider if your statement or contribution appears incorrect.
What if personal care is not included in my plan?
Contact your provider or My Aged Care to discuss your needs and whether your support plan should be reviewed. Personal care must be approved and included in your plan before it can be delivered under Support at Home.
Talk with iCare4U about your support
Understanding aged care funding changes can feel difficult, particularly when you are managing services for yourself or someone you love. We are here to help you understand your options and discuss support around your needs.
Contact iCare4U Support Services on 1300 422 730 or visit www.icare4u.com.au to start a conversation about personal care, aged care support at home, respite care or other in-home services.
Our goal is simple: to provide respectful, reliable support that helps you live safely, independently and confidently at home.