If you or a family member receives in-home aged care, you may have heard that price caps on Support at Home services were due to begin this year. That start date has been deferred, but other protections against overcharging have been strengthened. Here’s what you need to know.
What Happened to the Price Caps
Government-set price caps on Support at Home services were originally scheduled to begin on 1 July 2026. In May 2026, the government deferred that start date in response to feedback from providers, advocates and the community, and no new date has yet been confirmed.
The reasoning was that caps set before the new system had fully bedded in could have unintended effects, including reducing choice or straining providers in regional areas. Deferral was intended to allow proper costing work before limits are locked in.
“We’ll keep working methodically, in the interests of older people, to make sure Support at Home delivers what it promised,” said Minister for Aged Care and Seniors Sam Rae.
The Protections That Do Apply Now
Importantly, deferring the caps did not leave participants unprotected. Several safeguards are in force today.
Providers cannot charge separate entry or exit fees, so switching providers should not cost you. All administrative costs must be built into service prices rather than added on top, a major change from the old Home Care Packages system where management fees could consume a large share of a budget. And the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission now has the power to order refunds where a provider is found to have overcharged.
Providers are also encouraged to limit price increases to no more than twice a year, giving participants more certainty about their budgets.
How to Check You’re Being Charged Fairly
Transparency is your best tool. Providers must publish their prices on their own website and on the My Aged Care portal, which makes it possible to compare what you’re paying against the wider market.
It’s worth reviewing your monthly statements, checking that the services listed match what you actually received, and comparing your provider’s rates using the Find a Provider tool. If something looks off, you have the right to raise it, and potentially to a refund. The starting point for questions is always My Aged Care on 1800 200 422, and you can read more on the My Aged Care news and updates page.
One More Change Worth Knowing
From 1 October 2026, personal care services such as showering, dressing and continence support move into clinical supports and become fully government funded, meaning no participant contribution for those services. For many people, that’s a meaningful reduction in out-of-pocket costs.
The Bigger Picture
The deferral of price caps is a reminder that aged care reform is still very much a work in progress. The direction, though, is consistent: more transparency, stronger recourse against unfair charging, and a system that puts older people at the centre. Staying informed and checking your statements are the simplest ways to make these protections work for you.
Epik Wire covers aged care funding and reform in plain language for families. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed.
