Support at Home Hot to start on the right foot Posted on 31 August 2026 by gm-carexcell What Will I Pay? One of the most common questions families ask when exploring aged care services is, “What will I actually have to pay?” Unfortunately, the answer is not always straightforward. Support at Home costs depend on several factors, including the type of services you receive, your income and assets assessment, your provider’s published prices, and whether transition protections apply to your situation. Providers can charge different prices for the same service, making provider comparison an important part of choosing care. All Support at Home providers are required to publish their full price lists online so participants can compare options before making a decision. At Carexcell, we believe that understanding your costs should not require an accounting degree. “Families deserve plain-English pricing. A good provider should help you understand not only the hourly rate, but what that rate means for your budget, your contribution and the services you can actually receive.” Understanding how contributions work can help you make informed decisions about the support you receive and ensure your funding is used effectively. How Support at Home Funding Works Under the Support at Home program, the cost of care is shared between the Australian Government and, in some cases, the participant receiving services. Your budget includes: Australian Government funding based on your assessed support needs Any participant contributions that apply to your circumstances Services delivered according to your approved support plan The amount you contribute depends on: The type of services you receive Your income and assets assessment Your pension status Whether transitional or grandfathering protections apply to you Services Australia uses income and assets information to determine whether contributions apply and, if so, at what level. The Three Service Contribution Categories Not all services are treated the same way under Support at Home. The Government pays different proportions of the cost depending on the category of support being delivered. Service Category Examples Contribution Principle Clinical Supports Nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, care management Government-funded with a 0% participant contribution Independence Supports Personal care, social support, transport, some assistive technology supports Moderate participant contribution may apply Everyday Living Supports Cleaning, gardening, meal preparation, domestic assistance Highest participant contribution levels apply Clinical supports such as nursing and allied health are fully government funded, meaning participants do not contribute towards their cost. Independence and Everyday Living services may attract contributions depending on financial circumstances. Why Provider Prices Matter Many people assume every provider charges the same rates. They do not. Support at Home providers set their own prices and are required to publish those prices publicly. Providers must also clearly explain their prices and include them in participant agreements. Government guidance requires prices to be reasonable and transparent. This means two providers could charge different rates for the same service. A higher price does not always mean better value. Equally, the lowest price may not include the same level of support, experience, availability or service quality. Because your funding budget is finite, provider pricing directly affects how many hours and services your budget can purchase. What Should You Compare When Choosing a Provider? When comparing providers, don’t focus solely on hourly rates. Look at the complete picture. 1. Published Price Lists Review each provider’s published price schedule and compare like-for-like services. Ask: What does personal care cost? What is charged for domestic assistance? How much does social support cost? Are specialist services clearly priced? Providers must publish their prices online and through My Aged Care systems. 2. Service Inclusions Check what is included within the quoted price. Under Support at Home, providers cannot add separate administration or travel fees outside the service price. Pricing should reflect the full cost of delivering the service. 3. Availability and Reliability A lower price is not helpful if services cannot be delivered consistently. Consider: Local workforce availability Continuity of support workers Response times Ability to provide urgent support 4. Range of Services Can the provider deliver all of your approved services? Some providers specialise in certain service types and subcontract others. Understanding which services are delivered directly and which are subcontracted can help you make an informed choice. 5. Compliance and Quality Look for information about: Registration status Quality systems Complaints processes Client feedback Experience delivering aged care services Understanding Your Out-of-Pocket Contribution Your contribution is not based solely on provider pricing. It is also affected by your financial assessment outcome. Depending on your circumstances, you may be: A full pensioner A part pensioner A self-funded retiree A Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holder The assessment process determines whether contributions apply and the level at which they apply. Services Australia provides tools to help estimate contributions before services begin. Why Cost Conversations Are Also Care Conversations Families often focus heavily on budgets when selecting services. However, care decisions should never be separated from wellbeing outcomes. “Cost conversations should never sit outside care conversations. If a person reduces personal care, meals, transport or safety-related services because they are worried about cost, that can become a clinical and wellbeing risk.” A good provider should help balance affordability with safety, independence and quality of life. Frequently Asked Questions Do providers charge the same amount? No. Providers set their own prices. My Aged Care recommends comparing providers before making a decision because prices can vary significantly between organisations. How do I estimate my contribution? You can use the Support at Home fee estimator through My Aged Care and complete any required income and assets assessment through Services Australia. Do I pay for clinical care? Clinical supports, including nursing and many allied health services, attract a 0% participant contribution under the Support at Home framework. Why should I compare providers? Comparing providers helps you understand pricing, service quality, range of services, workforce availability and how effectively your budget can be used. Providers must publish pricing information to support informed decision-making. Support at Home Costs: The Bottom Line The cost of Support at Home is about more than a single hourly rate. Your contribution is influenced by your income and assets assessment, the services you receive, your provider’s pricing structure and the protections that apply to your specific situation. The best value provider is often the one that combines transparent pricing, quality care, reliable service delivery and practical support that helps you achieve your goals at home. Talk to Carexcell If you’re trying to understand Support at Home costs, compare provider prices, estimate your contribution or determine how far your budget will stretch, we’re happy to help. Ask Carexcell for a plain-English conversation about your Support at Home budget, contribution category and service mix. Co-authored by Thomas Kramer and Amelia Smart.