No Need to Stress: Understanding the New Aged Care Reforms Coming This November
Big changes are coming to Australia’s aged care system on 1 November 2025 — and if you or a loved one are hoping to access support at home, now is the time to act.
The new reforms will completely reshape how aged care funding and services are delivered, and while they promise to simplify the system in the long run, the transition period may cause some delays and confusion.
At Sistability, we’ve helped many older Australians across the Northern Rivers understand My Aged Care, apply for home care packages, and organise trusted services that make life easier at home. Our advice right now? Don’t wait until November to start. Getting your application in early can help you avoid disruption and ensure you’re set up before the new system takes effect.
What Is My Aged Care?
My Aged Care is the Australian Government’s starting point for anyone wanting to access aged care support. It’s how you:
Register for assistance
Arrange an in-home assessment
Learn what funding and services you’re eligible for
Through My Aged Care, you can be connected to providers (like Sistability) who deliver the help you need — whether that’s cleaning, gardening, or ongoing personal support.
How Aged Care at Home Works Now
At the moment, there are two main government programs that help older Australians live safely and independently at home:
1. Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
This is entry-level support for those who only need a little help — such as light house cleaning, meal preparation, transport, or basic gardening.
2. Home Care Packages (HCP)
For those who need more regular or complex support, Home Care Packages provide government funding to cover services like:
Domestic assistance and laundry
Personal care and mobility support
Nursing and allied health
Transport and community access
Garden and home maintenance
Packages range from Level 1 (basic) through to Level 4 (high care needs).
What’s Changing from 1 November 2025
The current Home Care Package and Short-Term Restorative Care programs will be replaced by a new model called Support at Home. This new system will eventually bring all in-home aged care — including CHSP — under one banner.
Here’s a quick look at what’s coming:
One unified system: Support at Home will simplify access by replacing multiple programs with one.
Eight funding levels: More funding categories mean care can be better matched to your needs.
Transparent pricing: Service prices and administration fees will be capped so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
Fully-funded clinical care: Eligible nursing and therapy supports will be paid directly by government funding.
Automatic transition: Current Home Care Package recipients will move into the new system automatically under the No Worse Off guarantee.
Future CHSP changes: Entry-level services like cleaning and meals will merge into Support at Home from 2027.
While these reforms aim to improve the system, they will also mean changes to assessments, pricing, and waiting times — which is why acting early is so important.
Why You Should Apply Now
If you’ve been thinking about getting help at home, now is the best time to start the process. Here’s why:
Assessment wait times may increase as thousands of people rush to apply before the reforms.
Getting approved under the current system ensures your support will automatically roll into the new model — so you won’t lose access or have to reapply.
Funding levels may change under the new structure, so securing a package now gives you stability.
The My Aged Care application process can take weeks or months, so getting started now means you’ll be ready — not waiting — when the November changes arrive.
How Sistability Can Help
Sistability is here to make the process simple. Our friendly Ballina team can help you at every stage — from applying for aged care funding to organising and managing your ongoing services.
We can:
Help you apply for My Aged Care and guide you through your assessment
Assist you in getting approved for a Home Care Package before the new reforms begin
Organise your in-home services, such as cleaning, gardening, or personal care
Manage your package and services, ensuring your funding is used effectively and transparently
Provide continuity of care when the new Support at Home model launches
We handle the details so you can focus on what matters — staying independent, comfortable, and confident in your own home.
How to Get Started
Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au to register.
Book your in-home assessment — this determines your level of support and funding eligibility.
Contact Sistability — we can help you prepare for your assessment, apply for a Home Care Package, and get your services in place quickly.
Why This Matters
The 1 November 2025 reforms are a major step forward for aged care in Australia — but they also mean change. Many older Australians may experience delays or confusion during the transition period.
By getting your Home Care Package approved before November, you’ll ensure your support continues smoothly and your services stay in place under the new structure.
At Sistability, we’re ready to guide you through it all — from your first My Aged Care application to ongoing home support and package management.
👉 If you live in the Northern Rivers and want to get your aged care support organised before the reforms hit, contact Sistability today.
We’ll help you apply, secure your package, arrange your services, and manage your plan — so you can stay at home safely, confidently, and without stress.
