From today, personal care services for the almost 400,000 older Australians accessing Support at Home, including showering, dressing and continence products, will be fully funded by the Australian Government.

An investment of $1 billion will ensure personal care services attract no participant contributions, in line with all clinical care services under Support at Home.

As the Support at Home program has rolled out, we’ve been listening closely to people’s experiences of the new system and making changes to ensure it is delivering the dignified, high-quality care that every older Australian deserves.

The investment will ensure older people receiving these services through Support at Home pay no out-of-pocket costs, helping them maintain their independence and continue living at home for longer.

Personal care services include assistance with showering, dressing, eating, continence support, maintaining personal hygiene and taking medication. 

Making these services free reduces cost pressures for older people and their families – helping more Australians access the support they need to stay living safely and independently at home, close to family and community.

From today, all older people accessing Support at Home will have personal care services fully funded. Aged care providers will work with their existing clients to update service agreements to reflect these new arrangements. 

After a decade of neglect that left too many people waiting too long for care, the Government is responding to older people, carers and providers to improve our aged care system. 

We’ll keep working to expand access to care, drive down wait times and build more residential beds across Australia as we continue our work to deliver a system that provides safe, dignified and high-quality aged care.

As at 1 October 2026.