Aged care reforms – change is coming

Significant changes are on the horizon for aged care across Australia. Anglicare NT is actively preparing for the transition of services, with Support at Home set to replace Home Care Packages nationally from 1 November 2025.

A new Aged Care Act will also come into effect on the 1 November. This landmark legislation introduces important changes to how aged care in Australia is delivered, with a fundamental focus on the rights and needs of older people. It represents a significant shift towards a more empowering, transparent and quality-driven aged care system.

We encourage older Australians, their families, supporters and interested community members to review and access information about these changes. The reforms are significant and complex and may affect you or someone you care for.

Support at Home will replace the Home Care Packages (HCP) program and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme from 1 November 2025. The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) will become part of Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027.

About aged care contributions

  • From 1 November, the way older people in Australia pay for aged care will change under the new Aged Care Act.
  • The Australian Government will continue to fund the majority of aged care and will fund all clinical costs for all participants in both residential care and Support at Home.
  • Where contributions are required from older people, they will be based on your income and assets.
  • No matter what you contribute, the government will pay the rest of your aged care costs.
  • This ensures everyone gets the services they need.
  • You can use the aged-care-home fee estimator and Support at Home fee estimator on My Aged Care in May 2025 to estimate what your contributions will be from 1 November.
  • Visit My Aged Care for more information about changes to aged care funding.

How can you prepare?

Visit the My Aged Care website to learn about upcoming changes to aged care funding.

Use the Support at Home fee estimator to see how much you may pay towards services in your own home.

Use the aged-care-home fee estimator to see how much you may pay for care in an aged care home.

Contact Anglicare NT on 08 8985 0000 and ask to speak to someone about aged care reforms.