Important Changes for Australians Aged 65 and Over:
The New Aged Care Act and Support at Home Program
Overview
If you are 65 years or older, recent changes in aged care are particularly relevant to you.
From 1st November 2025, the new Aged Care Act will come into effect.
This includes the introduction of the Support at Home program, which will replace both the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Program.
These changes have been covered in the media, but here is a structured overview to clarify what they mean for you.
Understanding Your Eligibility
Even if you do not consider yourself "aged" or currently require home care services, it is important to note how funding for services changes as you turn 65.
While the State Government usually funds services for those 64 years and younger, once you reach 65, the Federal Government becomes responsible, regardless of the fact that the pension eligibility age is now 67 and many people continue to work past this age.
The New Support at Home Program
Beginning 1st November, the Support at Home program will launch as a part of the broader aged care reform.
Public hospital services that were previously funded under the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) will now fall under this new program. If you are seeking subsidised Allied Health services at a public hospital—such as Physiotherapy, Dietetics, Podiatry, District Nursing, Speech Pathology, or Occupational Therapy—you must be registered with My Aged Care (MAC).
Additionally, you will need a MAC referral code for each specific service in order to receive subsidised care.
Accessing Allied Health Services
When attending a public hospital for an Allied Health service, you will be expected to contribute towards the cost of your care.
The hospital will then claim the remaining balance from the Federal Government.
To process this claim, the hospital needs your MAC Reference Number (also called an AC number) and a current referral code for the required service.
Types of Referral Codes
Referral codes may be short term or long term, depending on your needs. For example, a short-term referral (up to 20 weeks) might be issued for restorative care, such as physiotherapy after knee surgery.
A long-term referral could be granted for ongoing conditions, like physiotherapy for lymphoedema.
Once your treatment concludes, your clinician will notify MAC that your episode of care has ended, and your referral code will be closed. If you need further treatment in the future, a new referral code will be required.
Assessment and Urgent Referrals
Currently, MAC assessments are reported to take 6–8 weeks. However, urgent referrals can be made if a delay in service would result in significant risk of harm. In these cases, the referring medical practitioner or hospital can contact MAC directly. The MAC contact centre may then refer a client straight to a CHSP registered provider if immediate risk is determined and services are not available through other channels.
Regardless of urgency, a service referral is always required before accessing services. Even if urgent care is no longer needed, the client must still complete an aged care needs assessment.
Alternative Access and Private Options
If you do not wish to access public hospital services or home support services, you are not required to take any action. You can still use hospital services, but you will be charged the full cost (currently approximately $130 per hour). Alternatively, you may choose to purchase home support services privately, such as hiring a gardener or cleaner.
How to Register with My Aged Care
To register with My Aged Care: phone 1800 200 422 (Monday to Friday: 8am to 8pm; Saturdays: 10am to 2pm).
More information is available at https://www.myagedcare.gov.au.