Stop worrying: Your Live Well guide to the new Support at Home age

Securing your independence and peace of mind, right there in your village

We understand you may have heard about the new Support at Home program replacing the old Home Care Packages (HCP). If the news has left you feeling anxious or confused—you are certainly not alone. Change can be unsettling, especially when it concerns your health and independence.

The most important thing to know is this: Your choice to remain living happily and independently in your Retirement Village, Lifestyle or Independent Living Unit is more supported than ever before.

At Live Well Home and Community, we believe the new system is an opportunity, not a hurdle. It’s a chance to make your support package more flexible and perfectly matched to your needs. We are here to cut through the government language and give you a simple, three-step “Peace of Mind Plan.”

The fear-buster: What absolutely won’t change

Before diving into the new rules, let’s confirm what stays the same:

1. Your carer relationships: If you are already receiving support, your essential services and, most importantly, the compassionate carers you know and trust will continue to be there for you.
2. Your choice of provider: You have the right to choose Live Well to coordinate and deliver your support—a choice we deeply value.
3. Your home: You remain safely and comfortably in the community you love. Our entire service model is built around bringing personalised care right to your door.

The good news: Better funding for your independence

The core of the Support at Home change is a shift from the rigid four levels of the old HCP system to a more precise structure: eight funding classifications.

More control, better matching

Think of the old system as choosing a pre-set meal (Level 2 or Level 4). The new, 8-level system is like being able to order à la carte. Your funding is now specifically aligned with your assessed needs—from light assistance with cleaning (Everyday Living) to in-home physio (Clinical Support).

This means your allocated government funding is better targeted to the services that truly support your day-to-day life and wellbeing.

Focus on keeping you active: Restorative care and assistive technology

• Fast-track assistive technology: Under the new AT-HM Scheme (Assistive Technology and Home Modifications), you no longer need to save your core funding to purchase essential items like walkers, shower rails, or even minor home modifications. This dedicated funding is designed for fast, upfront access to help you stay safe and independent.
• Boosted restorative care: If you have an injury or a hospital stay, the program now provides up to 12 weeks of intensive, coordinated allied health support (like physiotherapy or occupational therapy) to help you regain your function. Our goal is to get you back to the Village social club, the pool, or the garden shed faster.

Live Well’s Peace of Mind Plan: Your 3 steps forward

We have streamlined the transition process so you don’t have to worry about the paperwork.

1. Our personalised review: We sit down with you—right there in your unit or the Village café—to understand your new official funding classification and discuss what support truly matters to you now.
2. Transparent pricing promise: We are committed to complete clarity. Under the new model, clinical care (like nursing or physio) is fully subsidised. We will clearly explain your co-contribution for everyday living supports so there are zero hidden fees or surprises on your statement.
3. Building your flexible plan: We use the new, flexible funding to build a service schedule that doesn’t just tick boxes, but genuinely supports your lifestyle, hobbies, and social connections within your village.

Ready to talk through your new Support at Home plan?

Don’t let government changes cause you stress. Let Live Well Home and Community be your expert guide. We are already delivering the best of the new Support at Home program.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation chat with our local Care Manager. We can even meet you right there in your retirement village or Independent Living Unit to ensure a smooth and confident transition.

Call Live Well Home and Community on 1300 854 893.