As we near the launch of Support at Home, the Commonwealth Government’s new approach to providing home care services, we want to ensure you feel supported, and that means having all the information you need right at your fingertips.
This month we’re exploring the no worse off principle, and what it means for you.
What is the “No Worse Off” Principle?
The aim of the no worse off principle is to ensure that older Australians who currently have a Home Care Package are not disadvantaged by the transition to the new Support at Home program.
This means that if you have a Home Care Package on 30 June 2025, you will:
- Continue to receive the same level of funding, and
- Be able to retain any unspent funds you’ve accumulated and use them to fund services and supports under the new program.
This ensures that your care and your financial situation will remain stable, offering peace of mind as we transition.
For those who are on the National Priority System or who have been approved for a Home Care Package as of 30 June 2025, but have not yet been allocated the funding package, you will receive an equivalent Support at Home budget when one becomes available.
In short, if you or a loved one has – or has been approved for – a Home Care Package before the June deadline, your level of funding will stay the same when transitioning to Support at Home.
Contributions under the new system
The “no worse off” principle also applies to your out-of-pocket contribution arrangements. If, as of 12 September 2024, you were:
- Receiving a package,
- On the National Priority System, or
- Assessed as eligible for a package,
This principle guarantees that your contribution will remain the same or be lower than what you would have paid under your Home Care Package.
Why this matters
Support at Home has been developed in response to recommendations that came out of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. It offers improved support and greater flexibility for people receiving in-home aged care, but as with any change, it may seem a little daunting.
The no worse off principle aims to reduce this anxiety by providing stability and certainty, ensuring there is no disruption to your home care services as we transition into the new program.
We believe that by helping you to understand how the no worse off principle works, you will feel more confident about the changes to in-home aged care and enjoy a smooth transition to the new Support at Home program.
Support at Home with LiveBetter
At LiveBetter, we’re here to help you navigate these changes and ensure that you continue to receive the care and support you deserve.
If you have any questions, or you want to know more about how these changes might affect you, call 1800 580 580 to speak with one of our experienced aged care team members.
