Since 1 October 2026, personal care for the almost 400,000 older Australians using Support at Home has been fully funded, meaning no out-of-pocket contribution for help with showering, dressing and continence care. One of the reasons the change was made is that some people were cutting back on this care, or going without it, because of the cost. If that was you, or a parent you help, here’s how to get the support back.
What Changed
Personal care moved from the independence category, where most people paid a contribution, into the clinical supports category, which is fully government funded. If personal care is approved in your support plan and you have available Support at Home funding, you no longer pay toward it.
You don’t need to apply or be reassessed for the change itself. Your eligibility, provider and care arrangements stay the same, and contributions for other services haven’t changed.
If You Cut Back, You Can Ask for More
My Aged Care’s own guidance anticipates people wanting to increase the amount of personal care they receive now that cost isn’t a barrier. The government has also been clear that your level of care shouldn’t be reduced or limited by this change.
Start by talking to your provider or care partner. Explain what you’d like, for example an extra shower each week, help dressing every morning rather than three days a week, or more continence support. Ask them to update your care plan and service agreement accordingly.
The One Limit: Your Budget
Personal care is free to you, but it’s still paid for from your Support at Home budget. So the extra care has to fit within your quarterly funding, alongside your other services.
If it fits, your provider should be able to arrange it. If your needs have grown beyond what your budget covers, the answer may be a reassessment, which could move you to a higher classification with more funding. You can request one through My Aged Care, and your provider can help.
Check Your First Statements
You may still receive an October invoice that includes contributions for personal care delivered before 1 October, since the change isn’t backdated. From October onwards, though, personal care shouldn’t carry a contribution. Check your monthly statements, and if something looks wrong, ask your provider to explain. Our guide to reading your Support at Home statement shows what to look for.
For Families
If you help a parent, this is worth a direct conversation. Older people often don’t ask for more help even when they need it, especially if they’ve got used to managing with less to save money. Gently checking whether they’d like more support now that it’s free can make a real difference to their comfort, hygiene and dignity.
Where to Get Help
My Aged Care is on 1800 200 422. The Older Persons Advocacy Network offers free, independent help on 1800 700 600 if you’re having trouble getting the care you need. Details of the change are on My Aged Care.
The Bottom Line
Personal care under Support at Home has been free since 1 October. If you cut back on showering, dressing or continence help because of the cost, ask your provider to increase it and update your care plan. It still needs to fit within your budget, and if your needs have outgrown it, a reassessment may unlock more funding. Check your statements, and help a parent ask if they won’t. This is general information, not aged care, medical or financial advice.
Epik Wire covers aged care in plain language for older Australians and their families. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed.
