The Department of Health and Aged Care’s March 2025 Support at Home Services Price List outlines hourly costs for service categories, including domestic assistance and personal care. These rates apply to home assistance services nationwide, with regional adjustments for remoteness.
Night shifts and weekend care add 50% or more to base charges. Public holiday support services can cost up to $150.10 an hour for some activities—more than double weekday daytime rates of $67.56.
Price Guide for Support at Home Services
Knowing the cost of support at home services means understanding standard and specialised rates. This guide explains in-home care pricing for different services and locations. It’s based on new guidelines as of March 2025.
Standard Home Care Service Rates
Basic services like meal prep and hygiene support are considered standard care. Domestic assistance costs $83–$109 per hour, while personal care is $85–$115 hourly. Care recipients get quarterly budgets based on 8 levels, from $2,750 annually for Level 1 to $19,500 for Level 8.
These budgets cover essential services like housekeeping and daily living aids.
Regional and Remote Area Adjustments
• Remote regions have higher costs due to travel and staffing. Remote establishment fees can be up to 30% more than urban areas.
• STA services in remote areas may cost up to $150.10 hourly because of staff ratios and location.
Understanding Your Support at Home Entitlements
The government pays for all clinical care costs under the Support at Home program. For non-clinical services like daily help or home changes, how much you pay depends on your income and assets. Clinical care includes medical treatments. On the other hand, things like mobility aids and meal prep have different costs based on your financial situation home support services rates.
- Clinical care: 0% personal contribution
- Independence supports: 5–50% co-payment
- Everyday living supports: 17.5–80% co-payment
There’s a lifetime cap of $130,000 for non-clinical services, which limits your out-of-pocket costs over time. Providers must break down travel and service costs on invoices. For example:
| Service Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Direct Support (40 mins) | $33.33 |
| Transport (45 mins) | $37.50 |
| Non-labour costs (e.g., parking) | $21.50 |
| Total | $92.33 |
Travel time charges differ by zone. Zones 1–3 allow up to 30 minutes travel time billed at service rates. Zones 6–7 need pre-agreed limits. Check My Aged Care for personalised estimates with their online calculator.
Comprehensive Breakdown of Home Support Costs
Understanding the home support cost breakdown helps clarify how different services are priced under the Support at Home program.
Personal Care Services Pricing
Personal care services cover daily tasks like bathing, medication management, and continence care. Hourly rates range from $85 to $115, depending on care complexity. For instance, assistance with mobility or complex medical needs may incur higher fees. These rates apply to levels 1–8 of the program’s classification system.
Domestic Assistance Costs
Domestic support includes cleaning, meal prep, and laundry, costing between $83 to $109 per hour. These services aim to maintain independence, which helps in sustaining quality of life. Budget flexibility exists through a quarterly carryover of up to $1,000 or 10% of allocated funds.
Nursing and Allied Health Fees
Clinical care, such as nursing and physiotherapy, is fully government-funded. Participants pay nothing for these essential services. A support service charges cap of $25,000 also exists for end-of-life care, covering final three months of home-based assistance.
Equipment and Home Modification Charges
Up to $15,000 is available for items like ramps, safety rails, and walking aids. A lifetime limit of $130,000 applies to non-clinical costs, ensuring long-term affordability. Funding tiers for home modifications align with individual needs, avoiding excessive upfront costs.
These home support cost breakdown details reflect updated pricing structures effective July 2025, with further adjustments expected by July 2026. Participants can review their quarterly budgets to manage expenses effectively.
Upcoming Changes to Support at Home Services from July 2025
In the lead up to 1 July 2025, your current HCP provider will contact you to clearly explain any changes to your current prices under the new Support at Home Program.
You will be also asked to agree to the prices as part of a new service agreement. This service agreement will include a price for each service that your provider will deliver to you.
You do not have to sign an agreement if you are unhappy with the prices they have given you. However, you do need to have an agreement in place with a provider of your choice before you are able to receive services through Support at Home from 1 July 2025.
Please also note that there are protections in place so that you can be sure the prices you are charged are reasonable and transparent.
Seniors care pricing now considers income and assets. Pensioners pay 5%–17.5% of non-clinical costs. There are three new pathways: End-of-Life ($25,000 over 12 weeks), Restorative Care ($6,000 over 12 weeks), and the AT-HM Scheme’s three funding tiers. These make it easier to get equipment and home modifications. Annual funding caps at up to $78,000 help with long-term planning.
The Department of Health will send updates to current users in April 2025. For personalised advice, visit the official Support at Home page or call My Aged Care (1800 200 422). Providers must now list prices clearly, with care management fees reduced to 10%. Stay informed to make the most of your entitlements under the reformed system.
Below are the prices that reflect what Home Care Package (HCP) providers have reported that they intend to charge when the Support at Home Program commences from 1 July 2025.
| Care Service | Lower Cost Per Hour | Median Cost Per Hour | Higher Cost Per Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Care | $125 | $150 | $179 |
| Registered Nurse | $144 | $160 | $186 |
| Enrolled Nurse | $120 | $140 | $163 |
| Nursing Assistant | $92 | $110 | $143 |
| Allied health and other Therapeutic Services | $160 | $195 | $220 |
| Allied Health Therapy Assistant | $105 | $122 | $167 |
| Counsellor or Psychotherapist | $160 | $195 | $220 |
| Dietitian or Nutritionist | $165 | $190 | $219 |
| Exercise Physiologist | $165 | $190 | $219 |
| Occupational Therapist | $174 | $200 | $220 |
| Physiotherapist | $160 | $185 | $210 |
| Podiatrist | $153 | $180 | $208 |
| Psychologist | $210 | $228 | $250 |
| Social Worker | $163 | $200 | $238 |
| Speech Pathologist | $187 | $208 | $236 |
| Care Management | $80 | $120 | $150 |
| Restorative Care Management | $120 | $150 | $173 |
| Personal Care | $85 | $100 | $115 |
| Social Support and Community Engagement | $82 | $99 | $110 |
| Therapeutic Services for Independent Living | $140 | $165 | $220 |
| Remedial Masseuse | $134 | $150 | $206 |
| Respite Care | $85 | $99 | $112 |
| Transport Trip | $70 | $85 | $112 |
| Domestic Assistance | $83 | $95 | $109 |
| Home Maintenance and Repairs | $85 | $103 | $120 |
| Meal Delivery Meal (Each) | $11 | $15 | $22 |
| Meal Preparation | $82 | $97 | $110 |
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