Support at Home is government funded, but many people pay something towards some services. These payments are called contributions. This guide explains how contributions work, which services attract them and where to get an official estimate. It is general information, not personal financial advice. For words like classification and clinical supports, see our glossary of NDIS and Support at Home terms.
What is a Support at Home contribution?
When you receive a service, your provider charges a price. If a contribution applies, you pay part of that price and the government pays the rest to your provider. The government pays the full price of clinical supports.
Which services attract a contribution?
My Aged Care groups services into three types, each with a different contribution level:
- Clinical supports, such as nursing and physiotherapy: no contribution. These are fully funded.
- Independence, such as transport and respite: a moderate contribution.
- Everyday living, such as domestic help and gardening: the highest contribution.
Personal care was an independence service with a moderate contribution. From 1 October 2026 the government fully funds it, so there is no contribution for personal care delivered from that date. See Support at Home personal care fully funded.
How is your contribution rate worked out?
The percentage you contribute depends on your financial situation, worked out through an income and assets assessment by Services Australia. Full pensioners make the lowest contributions. Self-funded retirees who are not eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card make the highest.
If you do not give Services Australia your income and assets information, you are given a “means not disclosed” status and your contributions are set at the maximum rate. It usually pays to complete the assessment.
Does it matter when you were approved?
- Approved for a Home Care Package or Support at Home after 12 September 2024: the standard contribution arrangements apply.
- Receiving, or approved for, a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024: you are no worse off under Support at Home. If you were assessed as paying Home Care Package fees, you pay the same or less.
How do you get an estimate?
My Aged Care has an official Support at Home fee estimator. It uses your details to estimate what you might pay. Providers also have to publish their full price list online, and the Find a provider tool lets you compare prices. Your provider must help you understand your contributions.
What if you cannot afford your contributions?
Tell your provider early. If you are facing genuine financial hardship, you can ask to be considered for financial hardship assistance, also called a fee reduction supplement. If you are eligible, the government pays some or all of your aged care costs. My Aged Care also recommends independent financial advice before deciding how to pay for aged care.
What decides the government’s share?
My Aged Care says the amount the government pays depends on your classification, the supplements you are eligible for, the services, equipment and products you receive, and how much you contribute.
How do provider prices affect what you pay?
Each provider sets its own prices for services and care management, and these charges come out of your quarterly budget. Because a contribution is a share of the price, a higher price means a higher contribution and less budget left for other services. It is worth comparing providers, which is why they must publish their full price lists online.
Can unspent budget carry over?
For ongoing services, you can carry some unspent budget into the next quarter, up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget, whichever is higher. Short-term pathways work differently, and unspent funds cannot be used after their funding period ends.
How do you check what you are paying?
- Read your monthly statement: it shows each service, its price and your contribution.
- Check the service type for each item, because contributions differ between types.
- Make sure personal care from 1 October 2026 shows no contribution.
- Ask your provider about anything you do not understand.
For more on budgets, see Support at Home classifications and budgets. Kindora Connect delivers domestic assistance, transport and personal care as an associated provider through VitalCare Support.