From 1 October 2026, you won't pay a personal contribution for approved personal care under Support at Home, as long as you've got funding available.
That includes help with showering, but also support with getting dressed, grooming, eating and other daily routines that can make life at home easier.
If you've been putting off help because of the cost, this is a good time to find out what's included.
You may also discover that a task you've been struggling with falls under personal care, even if you hadn't thought of it that way.
We've updated our Support at Home Quick Guide to explain the change and the services it applies to.
Personal care is moving from the Independence contribution category to Clinical Supports. The government will cover the full cost of approved personal care through your available Support at Home funding, so you won't have a personal contribution to pay.
This applies to personal care delivered from 1 October 2026.
It doesn't change which activities count as personal care, or automatically add services to your plan. The government’s personal care announcement explains the change in detail.
What it does mean, is that it's worth looking again at help you may have declined because of the contribution.
The change covers approved personal care services, including assistance with washing, dressing, toileting and eating. Depending on your needs and support plan, that could include:
|
Part of your day |
Personal care you could ask about |
|---|---|
|
Getting ready |
Help with clothes, shoes, buttons and grooming |
|
Washing |
Showering, bathing, hair washing and oral hygiene |
|
Using the bathroom |
Toileting and non-clinical continence support |
|
Getting up |
Help getting out of bed or transferring during personal care |
|
Mealtimes |
Hands-on help eating and drinking |
|
Medication routines |
Appropriate prompts and reminders |
You don't have to need help with every part of your routine.
Perhaps you can shower comfortably but struggle to put on socks and shoes afterwards. That specific difficulty is worth mentioning when you discuss your care.
Cleaning and meal preparation are separate services, so their contribution arrangements aren't removed by the personal care change.
Knowing the difference helps you understand which parts of your care costs may change.
For example, helping you eat a meal that's already prepared can be personal care. Cooking or delivering the meal falls under different arrangements.
Similarly, help washing your hair can be included in personal care, while a professional haircut isn't.
If you're unsure about a particular task, ask your provider how it's classified. The Support at Home service list also explains what's included.
Ask your care partner to check whether personal care is approved in your support plan and what funding you've got available. From there, you can talk about the help you need and how it would fit into your week.
If you're already receiving approved personal care, you don't need a new assessment just for the contribution change. If you're looking to add it, your provider can explain whether a review is needed.
Your provider should also be explaining changes that affect your care. If you'd like help understanding your options, speak with the SAI team and we'll be happy to help.
Yes. Self-funded retirees are included in the personal care contribution change. You'll still need the service approved in your support plan and available Support at Home funding.
If you also receive other types of help, ask your provider which contributions will continue to apply to those services.
You can ask to review your visits, particularly if cost has been a barrier. Personal care still uses your Support at Home funding, so your care partner will need to check what your budget can support. Additional visits should be agreed as part of your care plan.
No. Appropriate prompts and reminders can be part of support with taking your own medication, but the cost of the medicine is separate.
Nursing medication administration is also a different service.
No. The change applies across Support at Home providers. You can continue receiving approved personal care from your current provider and ask them to explain the updated contribution arrangements. If you're considering a move for other reasons, that's a separate choice about the care and service you want.
Our updated Quick Guide brings together the personal care changes, service examples and wider Support at Home funding information.
Download it to see what support could help you, then discuss what's available under your own plan.