1 November 2025
New Aged Care Act commenced; Support at Home began
The Aged Care Act 2024 commenced on 1 November 2025 (deferred from 1 July 2025). The Support at Home program started, replacing Home Care Packages and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme, and the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards took effect.
What it means for providers: Every provider's policy suite needs to reflect the new Act, the strengthened Standards, provider registration conditions, and the Aged Care Code of Conduct. Policies written for the old Home Care Packages rules are now out of date.
Sources:
Dept of Health, Disability and Ageing — Support at Home · Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
November 2025
Support at Home pricing advice for 2026–27 released
The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) published its Support at Home pricing advice for 2026–27, informing service prices and contribution arrangements under the new model.
What it means for providers: Providers need accurate financial governance and charging practices — correct invoicing against quarterly participant budgets and transparent handling of contributions.
Sources:
Dept of Health, Disability and Ageing — Support at Home
May 2026
Support at Home price caps deferred; regulator powers strengthened
Government paused the introduction of Support at Home price caps with no new commencement date set, while the regulator was given additional powers.
What it means for providers: With caps deferred, providers set their own prices and must publish and justify them. Clear pricing, financial governance and complaints handling matter more, not less.
Sources:
My Aged Care — Support at Home pricing changes · Dept of Health, Disability and Ageing — Support at Home
This month
Rules and guidance continue to be amended
The Support at Home rules and supporting guidance are continuing to be updated through 2026 and into 2027 as the new system beds in.
What it means for providers: Treat your policy suite as a living document. Our update subscription tracks the changes so your policies do not drift out of date between audits.
Sources:
Dept of Health, Disability and Ageing — Support at Home · Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission