Support at Home will roll out next month, bringing changes to the way home care services are funded, including eight funding levels, rather than the current four, and the addition of separate short-term funding streams, such as the Restorative Care Pathway and the End-of-Life Pathway, which are both designed to ensure you get the extra support you need, when you need it.
This month, we’re taking a closer look at the End-of-Life Pathway, a one-off allocation of funding that aims to provide you or your loved one with the support you need to remain at home in the final months of your life.
About the End-of-Life Pathway
Many older people wish to spend their final days at home, surrounded by family. The End-of-Life Pathway helps make this possible by providing up to $25,000 in funding over 12 weeks, ensuring people with a prognosis of three months or less to live can access the extra support they need during this time.
This specialised pathway offers compassionate palliative care, with services designed to prioritise comfort, dignity, emotional wellbeing, and family involvement.
What kind of help is provided?
The End-of-Life Pathway is designed around your or your loved ones’ needs, and could include:
- Nursing and palliative care
- Personal care
- Emotional and social support
- Essential equipment like beds and wheelchairs
- Support for carers
Who will deliver the End-of-Life care services?
For those already receiving home care services, your existing care partner will be able to coordinate end-of-life services.
If you or your loved one is new to home care services, the Find a Provider tool on the My Aged Care website can help you find a suitable service provider. Alternatively, our caring and experienced team members can help you navigate your way through – you can call them on 1800 580 580.
Will I need to contribute to the cost?
Yes. The same contribution arrangements will apply to the End-of-Life Pathway as to the ongoing services categories. This means that although you or your loved one will not need to contribute to clinical supports such as nursing, independence supports, like personal care, will require a moderate contribution, and everyday living supports, like cleaning and shopping, will require a higher contribution.
What if services are needed for more than 12 weeks?
If the older person has funding left, they can continue to use it for an additional 4 weeks (16 weeks total). If services are needed beyond this time, they can request a high-priority Support Plan Review, which will allow them to continue receiving services under an ongoing Support at Home classification.
How can I access Support at Home?
Support at Home will roll out across Australia on 1 November 2025. If you’re just starting to explore government-funded aged care support, you can visit My Aged Care or call them on 1800 200 422 to begin the aged care assessment process. After your assessment, you will receive a plan outlining the aged care services you can access.
If you are already receiving home care through Home Care Packages, you will automatically move across to Support at Home; however, if you’re currently receiving services through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, nothing will change until July 2027, when you too will transition to Support at Home.
If your circumstances change, and you need to be reassessed, simply visit My Aged Care or call them on 1800 200 422 to arrange to be reassessed.
We’re here to help
At LiveBetter, we understand that navigating the transition to Support at Home may be confusing. If you have any questions about how the new program might impact your care, our team is here to help you every step of the way.
For more information on how to get the most out of Support at Home, reach out to our experienced team today.
