Support at Home Package Levels, Services & Funding

As a Support at Home provider in Adelaide, Life Care helps older South Australians understand the Support at Home (SAH) program and what it may mean for them. The program replaced Home Care Packages on 1 November 2025 and is designed to support independence, well-being and reablement at home.
From support at home package levels and eligibility to the range of support at home services available, we're committed to clarity, so you have the information you need to make informed decisions about your future.

Your Support Plan and Goals Under the Support at Home Program

A key feature of the Support at Home program is a strong emphasis on person-centred care planning. Following your My Aged Care assessment, which identifies your needs and eligibility, Life Care will work collaboratively with you (and your family or carers, if you wish) to develop a personalised Support Plan. This plan will:

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    Clearly outline your individual goals, focusing on what matters most to you for your health, independence, and quality of life.

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    Detail the specific services Life Care will provide to help you achieve these goals.

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    Incorporate principles of wellness and reablement, aiming to build on your strengths and improve or maintain your abilities

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    Be regularly reviewed with you to ensure it continues to meet your evolving needs.

Transitioning to the Support at Home Program (SAH)

Life Care is preparing to ensure a smooth transition for our existing clients. Here’s what you can expect if you are moving from an HCP to Support at Home with us:

 

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    Consistent Funding Levels: Your current level of funding will stay the same.

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    Care Management Changes: To ensure you always have dedicated support on your journey with us, 10% of your total funding is set aside for our personalised Care Management. This is our commitment to you—ensuring we can work in partnership to plan your services, coordinate all the details, and thoughtfully update your care plan or budget as your needs evolve. For simplicity and transparency, all administrative and package management fees are included in your service prices. This means no hidden costs, just clear and simple rates for the support you receive.

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    New Statements: You will receive new statements reflecting your funding, expenditure, any unspent funds, and charges for services such as care management.

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    Quarterly Budgets: Your annual budget will shift to being provided quarterly. Unspent funds from a quarterly budget will be limited to either $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget, whichever is higher.

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    Transfer of Unspent Funds: Any unspent funds from your current package will transfer to your Support at Home budget after 1 November  2025.

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    Contributions: For Clients approved prior to 12th September 2024, your payment for Support at Home will stay the same as what you currently pay under the “no-worse-off” arrangement. For clients approved after 12 Sep 2024, once you have transitioned to the SAH package you will be obligated to pay contributions for  certain services. This is dependent on your income and assets assessment determined by Services Australia.

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    Updated Documentation: Your Case Manager will contact you to explain these changes and provide an updated service list, new Service  Agreement, and a new Price List. The new Price List will show costs with all administrative and management fees included in each service price.

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    Care Plan Continuity: Your current care plan and the services you receive will continue, evolving into your new Support Plan with a focus on your goals under the SAH framework. If your needs change, your Case Manager can assist with a reassessment.

Support at Home Package Levels with Life Care

The Support at Home program features eight levels of care, determined by a single independent assessment process, to match the complexity and frequency of support you need:

Level 1

Entry-level support

Level 2

Low support

Level 3

Low–moderate support

Level 4

Moderate support

Level 5

Moderate–high support

Level 6

High support

Level 7

Very high support

Level 8

Complex care

Each Support at Home package level comes with its own quarterly budget, which is indexed by the Australian Government each year. As a general guide:

  • Levels 1-2 (entry-level to low support): smaller quarterly budgets for lighter, day-to-day help
  • Levels 3-4 (low-moderate to moderate support): budgets that cover more regular personal care and household assistance
  • Levels 5-6 (moderate-high to high support): higher budgets including more frequent clinical and personal care
  • Levels 7-8 (very high support to complex care): the largest budgets, for the highest and most complex support needs

Our team can talk you through the funding available to you and help you understand what it means for your care.

Life Care Service Categories & Co-Contributions under SAH

Services under Support at Home are grouped into three main categories. These services, as outlined by the government, are designed to support you in various aspects of daily life, from clinical needs to everyday tasks, contributing to your overall well-being and independence. Each category has a specific co-contribution structure, and the exact rates are determined by Services Australia through an income and assets assessment.

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    Clinical Care: Includes services like Nursing, Physiotherapy and Personal Care provided by Life Care. 

    • Co-Contribution: Fully funded by the government; no out-of-pocket costs for participants.
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    Independence Support: Services including Social Support and Companionship and Transport, helping you maintain your independence and stay connected with your community.

    • Co-Contribution: Participants may pay a portion of the service cost
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    Everyday Living: Services including Domestic Assistance, gardening, and meal preparation, supporting your day-to-day life at home.

    • Co-Contribution: Participants contribute a higher percentage of the service cost for these non-clinical supports. Life Care is committed to providing clear explanations of any co-contributions that may apply to your services.

Specialised Support at Home Services and Programs

Life Care can help you access specialised funding opportunities within the Support at Home program, aligned with the program’s focus on targeted support:

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    Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM): Funding for items like mobility aids, communication devices, and home modifications that enhance safety and accessibility is provided separately from the main care budget.

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    Restorative Care Program: Designed to help you regain or maintain independence after a health setback, hospital stay, or functional decline. It focuses on short-term, goal-oriented services like Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy to reduce long-term care needs.

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    End of Life Care Program: Ensures individuals with life-limiting conditions can receive coordinated, compassionate Palliative Care in their own home. This includes nursing, psychosocial care, and practical assistance, with clinical care fully subsidised.

Supporting Carers

Life Care acknowledges the vital role of carers. The Support at Home program also considers their needs, and we can provide information on available supports and ensure that your care planning takes into account your carer’s wellbeing and involvement, where appropriate.

Choosing Life Care as Your Support at Home Provider

Whether you’re new to Support at Home or considering a change, choosing a Support at Home provider you feel confident in can make a real difference.

Life Care’s team brings together clinical care, support for independence and everyday living services. Our Case Managers will help you understand your funding, available services and how your support can work for you.

If you’re already receiving Support at Home services and would like to change providers, our team can guide you through the process and help make the transition as straightforward as possible.

Transparent Pricing for SAH Services

Life Care is committed to transparent Support at Home pricing, with a clear fee structure that includes all care management and administration costs. Our Support at Home price list outlines the full cost of services, so you can understand exactly what you’ll pay with no hidden fees.

View PDF
SAH Fee Schedule

Plan Your Support at Home Journey with Life Care

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Case Manager will contact you to explain the changes, provide updated documentation (service list, service  agreement, price list), and ensure your care continues seamlessly, aligning with your personal goals under the new program framework.

Your current services and care plan will continue, For Clients approved prior to 12th September 2024, your payment for Support at Home will stay the same as what you currently pay under the “no-worse-off” arrangement. For clients approved after 12th September 2024, once you have transitioned to the SAH package you will be obligated to pay contributions to certain services. This is dependent on your income and assets assessment determined by Services Australia.

To ensure you always have dedicated support on your journey with us, 10% of your total funding is set aside for our personalised Care Management. This is our commitment to you—ensuring we can work in partnership to plan your services, coordinate all the details, and thoughtfully update your care plan or budget as your needs evolve. For simplicity and transparency, all administrative and package management fees are included in your service prices. This means no hidden costs, just clear and simple rates for the support you receive.

This means the program, and Life Care’s approach to it, will focus on supporting you to maintain or regain your abilities and confidence, rather than just doing tasks for you. The goal is to help you stay as independent as possible for as long as possible.

Look for a Support at Home provider that takes the time to understand your needs, offers clear pricing and can adjust your services as your circumstances change. Life Care supports older South Australian’s and can help you understand your Support at Home funding, package level and how support can be tailored around your goals, routines and preferences.

Support at Home services are grouped into Clinical Care, Independence Support and Everyday Living. Depending on your assessed needs, this may include nursing, personal care, allied health, domestic assistance, transport or gardening. Your Support Plan sets out which services you can access, how your funding is allocated, and how each service is co-contributed.

Yes. You can change to a new Support at Home provider, such as Life Care, at any time, and your assessed package level and funding transfer with you. Our team can guide you through the switch.