Big changes are coming to aged care. With the Support at Home program rolling out from 1 November 2025, providers need to ensure their systems are ready for a more personalised, compliance-driven model of care.
While the Department of Health and Aged Care has released helpful client-facing resources, these materials also signal important back-end expectations for providers. That’s why we’ve flipped the script.
Read on to see how we’ve translated the government’s client-facing checklist into a practical software readiness guide to help you prepare for the transition.
What is the Support at Home program?
The Support at Home program is Australia’s new model for delivering aged care in the community. Rolling out from 1 November 2025, it will replace the current Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs, creating a single, streamlined system focused on reablement and individualised support.
The aim is to make aged care simpler and more consistent, helping older Australians live independently at home for longer. For providers, that means adapting to new service types, updated assessment and funding models, client contributions, and expanded care planning responsibilities, all governed by the new Aged Care Act.
This isn’t just a policy change. It’s a significant shift in how aged care is delivered, and software plays a critical role. From budgeting and reporting to rostering, goal tracking and document management, providers will need systems that are flexible, compliant, and aligned with the Support at Home framework.
Steps to prepare your software for Support at Home
Use this checklist to assess whether your current system is ready, or whether it’s time to choose a new care management software.
Share key resources seamlessly
Under Support at Home, clear client communication is essential. The Department of Health and Aged Care has released booklets, fact sheets and translated resources to help clients and families understand what the changes mean.
According to the Support at Home Provider Transition Guide, providers should ensure these materials are easily accessible and shareable. Printed copies and scattered email attachments are no longer enough.
Your software should include:
- A centralised document or resource manager for storing and updating official materials
- Notes integration so staff can link resources to case notes, care plans or client communications
- Tools to send materials securely to clients and representatives
MYP’s aged care software supports resource storage and sharing across desktop, mobile and tablet, giving care teams fast access to the latest client-facing information.
Fees and contributions: Are you set up?
Support at Home introduces a more structured contribution model, including income-tested fees, supplements and short-term supports. From 1 November 2025, providers will need to track and report contributions clearly and accurately.
The Support at Home Provider Transition Guide highlights several important requirements for providers:
- Clients transitioning from the HCP program will receive a Support at Home budget based on their existing funding level, including applicable supplements
- Providers must communicate clearly about expected contributions, special rates, and how reassessments may impact fees
- Unspent HCP funds must continue to be tracked and made available under the new program
To meet these obligations, look for software with:
- A built-in fee calculator that can account for variable contribution levels
- Contribution tracking features to reconcile client payments, government funding, and supplements
- Secure data fields and document upload functionality for storing sensitive financial details
MYP’s aged care platform allows users to manage fees with clear visibility, automatic alerts, and real-time updates to support care partners and finance teams.
New service agreements and care plans
Under the Support at Home program, every client will require an updated service agreement and a personalised care plan that reflects the program’s focus on reablement and individual goals.
As outlined in the transition guide, providers will need to transition existing HCP clients to new care arrangements that align with their Support at Home classification and service entitlements.
This includes:
- Creating new care plans tailored to the individual’s goals and support needs
- Formalising these arrangements through updated service agreements
- Tracking progress over time with a focus on functional improvement and goal achievement
Your care management software should make these tasks not only possible but also efficient.
Look for tools that support:
- Dynamic service agreement templates that can be tailored by Support at Home care categories, client classification, or funding stream
- An intuitive agreement builder that lets staff obtain approvals quickly
- Goal tracking features to monitor reablement milestones, capture progress notes, and review outcomes in real time
MYP’s care management software allows providers to create and update agreements, track client goals and maintain alignment with the program’s person-centred care approach.
Support for assistive technology and home modifications
Under the Support at Home program, older Australians will have greater access to assistive technology (AT) and home modifications (HM) to help them remain safe and independent at home. As part of the transition, unspent HCP funds can continue to be used for AT/HM purchases, alongside funding available through the new AT-HM Scheme.
According to the transition guide, providers will need to:
- Help clients identify and prioritise AT and HM needs
- Determine whether unspent funds or AT-HM Scheme funding should be used
- Track expenses and ensure costs remain within funding limits and eligibility tiers
- Submit data for AT-HM reporting and accountability
Your software needs to support this level of detail and compliance.
Look for systems that enable:
- Fund tracking to monitor unspent HCP balances and AT-HM allocations
- AT/HM tagging to flag expenses related to assistive technology or home modifications within a client’s budget
- Reporting logic that allows you to generate summaries for audits, reconcile funding sources, and monitor usage by category or client
MYP’s aged care software supports configurable expense tracking, budget tagging, and case note integration, allowing providers to manage AT/HM requests alongside regular service delivery. Staff can easily record item costs, funding source, allied health prescriptions, and delivery notes within the same workflow.
Handling contribution notices from Services Australia
Providers will continue receiving letters from Services Australia with updated client contribution rates. These notices must be logged and reflected accurately in care budgets and billing.
To avoid compliance risks or billing delays, your software should be able to:
- Log and track incoming contribution notices from Services Australia
- Alert care coordinators or finance staff when an update is received or action is required
- Flag missing or outdated income documentation, prompting timely follow-up
Key features to support this include:
- Automated alerts and task notifications when new contribution data is uploaded
- A secure document upload function to store letters and financial records within the client’s profile
- Secure messaging or internal note sharing, so staff can communicate around contribution changes in real time
MYP’s care software includes integrated tools for document management and alerts, enabling staff to respond to new income information quickly and securely.
Empower advocacy and communication
One of the guiding principles of the Support at Home program is supporting older Australians to actively participate in decisions about their care. That includes empowering clients to involve advocates, family members, or external support services, such as the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN), in planning and decision-making.
The Support at Home Provider Transition Guide encourages providers to promote supported decision-making and ensure older people understand their right to nominate a support person or advocate. Providers must also demonstrate that they’ve taken steps to involve these representatives where appropriate.
To support this, your care management software should make it easy to:
- Log referrals to advocacy services, including OPAN and local support networks
- Record communication with client representatives, including family, legal guardians, or appointed decision-makers
- Track and view a full contact and interaction history, so all staff are aligned and informed
Look for systems that offer:
- Referral logging tools, allowing staff to note advocacy engagement and link it to the client’s care plan
- A centralised contact history, capturing who was involved in each conversation, decision or case update
- The ability to flag a client’s nominated support person and ensure they’re kept in the loop
MYP’s software enables providers to track advocacy referrals, store representative contact details, and link this information directly to client profiles. This supports continuity of care while ensuring compliance with the Statement of Rights under the new Aged Care Act.
Do you need to upgrade your care management software?
The Support at Home program marks a significant turning point for aged care in Australia. It places greater emphasis on individualised care, accountability, and client engagement.
As a provider, your ability to meet these expectations hinges on more than just policy understanding; it depends on whether your software is equipped to support the transition.
MYP’s aged care software has been purpose-built to help providers navigate reform with confidence, combining compliance-focused features with practical tools that support your team and your clients.
Request a demo today and explore how MYP can help you prepare for the Support at Home rollout.
