Yarram and District Health Service (YDHS) is encouraging Home Care Package recipients to ensure they’re aware of changes coming to the system later this year.

From 1 July 2025, Home Care Packages will be replaced by the new Support at Home program.

The new program forms part of the response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and brings together the current in-home aged care programs.

According to YDHS Director Primary Healthcare Mitchell Schwenke, the new program aims to provide a simpler, more equitable system for accessing support to help older Australians stay living in their homes for longer.

“We know that plenty of older Australians want to remain living in their homes for as long as possible and programs like Support at Home aim to provide that,” Mr Schwenke said.

The Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care is putting in place arrangements to transition existing Home Care Package recipients to the Support at Home program from 1 July 2025 at their current funding levels.

“This means that existing Home Care Package recipients will receive a Support at Home budget that matches their existing Home Care Package budget,” Mr Schwenke said.

Read more in our media release here.