On 1 November 2025, the Support at Home Program replaced the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme. The Commonwealth Home Support Package (CHSP) will also transition to the Support at Home Program (but no earlier than July 2027).
The Support at Home Program will bring together the in-home aged care programs in order to:
Have these reforms made the caring experience better for carers and/or for the older person they care for?
Carers play a critical role in Australia’s aged care system, providing essential care, co-ordination, advocacy, and emotional support to people with chronic illness, disability, mental health conditions, ageing-related needs, and complex health conditions.
Despite their contribution, carers frequently report that they feel hidden, unseen, unrecognised, not identified or supported within the aged care system. Many also report poor wellbeing, fatigue and burnout.
In the We See You campaign by Carers Victoria in 2026, carers are being reassured they are seen and supported in every way possible.
The Senate Community Affairs References Committee is conducting two public inquiries into the changes to in-home aged care programs.
How will these changes effect carers and the older people they care for?
Carers Australia is holding a consultation with carers who support older people about the Support at Home Program. These carers will be asked to share how the recent changes to in-home aged care programs are affecting them and/or the older person they support. The insights gleaned will form part of Carers Australia’s submission to the Senate Committee’s Inquiry into the Support at Home Program.
Carers of any age who care for an older person, be it a 70-year old carer caring for a partner or sibling, a sandwich generation carer, a young carer supporting a grandparent, are invited to show an expression of interest to participate in the consultation about the Support at Home Program.
To read more and register your interest, go to the Carers Victoria Have Your Say page.
Registrations of expression of interest must be received no later than 11:59 pm on Monday, 6 April 2026.
Carers Victoria is the peak body for carers in the State; a for-purpose organisation, providing funded support and expert advice to – and about – carers across Victoria. A leading voice for carers, Carers Victoria builds and shares evidence and insights into who carers are, what they need, and how they can be better supported and recognised.
For carer information and support, contact the Carers Victoria Statewide Carer Advisory Service.
