Most of our aged care coverage speaks to older people and their families. This one is for the other side of the service: the Support at Home providers who have to make 1 October actually work. Several changes land on the same day, each with administrative consequences, and the regulator has already flagged pricing transparency as one of the most common compliance problems in the sector. Here’s a practical checklist.
1. Personal Care Moves to Clinical Supports
From 1 October 2026, personal care services move from the independence contributions category to clinical supports, which are fully government funded. Participants no longer pay a contribution for approved personal care from that date. Contributions still apply to personal care delivered before 1 October, and to other independence and everyday living services.
Three things need doing before the date. Update service agreements for clients receiving personal care so they no longer include a contribution for that service. Update billing and claiming configuration so personal care is treated as a clinical support from 1 October. And give affected clients clear written notice explaining the change and when it takes effect.
2. Plan for Demand to Rise
Removing the contribution removes a cost barrier. Some clients, particularly self-funded retirees who were paying the highest contribution rates, have been rationing personal care. Expect some to ask for more. That has rostering and workforce implications at a time when staff are already hard to find, so it’s worth reviewing capacity now rather than after the requests arrive.
3. The Nursing Subsidy Increase and Your Prices
From 1 October, Support at Home subsidy rates and some supplements increase to support the final award wage increase for aged care nurses, which took effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 August 2026. Participant budgets rise accordingly.
If you’re reviewing the price of nursing services, handle it carefully. Prices are part of the service agreement, so changes need to be communicated to participants in advance and agreed. The government has asked providers to limit price increases to no more than two a year. And the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority’s 2026-27 advice, which puts a registered nurse in standard hours at around $184.55 an hour, isn’t a cap but is the clearest published reference for what’s reasonable. Record the rationale for any change.
4. Get Pricing Transparency Right
With service price caps deferred indefinitely, transparency is the main consumer protection, and it’s where regulators are looking. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has identified pricing transparency as one of the most common compliance issues among Support at Home providers, and it has power to order refunds for overcharging.
Practically, that means a published price list available before a service agreement is signed, prices clearly stated in each agreement, and monthly statements that show services delivered, prices charged, the government contribution and the participant contribution. If a participant queries a line, you should be able to explain it quickly and in writing.
5. Warn Clients About Scams
Periods of change attract scammers, and older clients are targeted. When you send notice of the personal care change, it’s worth adding a line making clear that neither your organisation nor the government will phone asking for bank details to process it. It’s a small addition that genuinely protects people.
6. Residential Providers, a Separate Change
For residential aged care providers, the Australian National Aged Care Classification price also increases from 1 October, while the hotelling supplement stays the same. That’s a funding change rather than a participant-facing one, but it’s worth confirming systems and reporting reflect it.
One More Thing Worth Checking
Epik Wire publishes a free, independent directory of Support at Home providers across NSW, built from the government’s service list. Inclusion is free and automatic. If your service is listed with outdated details, you can have them corrected at no cost through our provider directory.
The official guidance on the 1 October changes is on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
The Bottom Line
For Support at Home providers, 1 October means updating agreements and billing for personal care’s move to clinical supports, preparing for higher demand, handling any nursing price review through proper agreement and notice, and making sure pricing is transparent enough to stand up to regulator scrutiny. Get the paperwork right now, and the day itself becomes a non-event for your clients. This is general information, not legal, business or compliance advice.
Epik Wire covers aged care in plain language for older Australians, families and providers. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed.
