Australia's Department of Health, Disability and Ageing announced on April 23, 2026 that eligible Support at Home participants would receive fully funded personal care from October 1. Personal care will move from the programme's independence category to clinical supports. To receive the service without out-of-pocket charges, participants must have personal care approved in their support plan and available Support at Home funding.
The activities covered include assistance with showering, dressing and non-clinical continence management. The department says the change recognises personal care as essential to older people's health, dignity and wellbeing. Removing service charges is intended to help people maintain personal hygiene and independence at home, while easing financial pressure on them, their families and carers. The new arrangement applies from October 1, 2026 and does not cover services delivered before that date. The announcement places the measure within Australia's reforms to in-home aged care and its commitment to accessible, high-quality support.