How to Pay for Home Care in Brisbane: Every Funding Option Explained

Many people who seek home care services for themselves or their loved ones often have one question they require answers to: who pays for this service?

The answer is not always straightforward. The Australian Government has provided several ways of funding care at home. The right option depends on the person's age, disability and health needs. Financial circumstances and, in some cases, veteran status are checked. Some people receive support funded by the Australian Government, while others pay privately. Many families use a combination.

This guide explains the Home Care Funding options Brisbane families can access in 2026. It covers Support at Home, the Commonwealth Home Support Program, the NDIS, Department of Veterans' Affairs programs and private care.

It also looks at the details that can make a real difference to your budget, including Funding levels, participant contributions, provider prices, quarterly budgets and unspent funds.

The Main Ways Home Care is Funded in Brisbane

There are five main ways families should know about:

• Support at Home for older people who need ongoing or more complex support.
• The Commonwealth Home Support Program for older people who need entry-level help.
• The NDIS for eligible people with permanent and significant disability.
• Department of Veterans' Affairs programs for eligible veterans and dependents.
• Private payment for people who choose to arrange some or all of their care themselves.

These options cannot be interchanged. For instance, an elderly individual in need of assistance with housework and hygiene may have their eligibility assessed for aged care.

But a younger person whose support needs arise from a permanent disability may instead be looking at the NDIS.

The first step is therefore not choosing a Home Care Provider. It is finding out which funding path applies to you or your loved one.

Option 1: Support at Home

Many retired Brisbane residents rely mainly on the Support at Home program in relation to their ongoing home-based care provided by the government.

The Support at Home Program came into place on 1 November 2025. It took over the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Program. Individuals who had received Home Care Packages were moved to the new program through a transition process.

It is important to understand this as there are a lot of old sources that refer to Home Care Packages Levels 1 to 4. These numbers apply to the old program but not the new one.

How Support at Home funding works

Under Support at Home, ongoing participants are assigned one of eight funding classifications based on their assessed needs.

The current funding amounts, effective from 1 July 2026, are:

These figures are indexed each year, so families should check the current government information rather than relying on an old article or provider brochure.

Your classification is based on your assessed care needs. A person with more complex or intensive needs may receive a higher level of funding.

The budget can be used for approved services in the person's support plan. It can cover things such as personal care, domestic assistance, meals, transport, nursing and other approved supports.

Why Quarterly Budgets Matter

Support at Home funding is released through quarterly budgets, rather than giving you unrestricted access to the whole annual amount at once. This means a person needs to think about how their care will be spread across the year.

There is some flexibility. Generally, unspent quarterly funding can be carried forward into the next quarter up to the greater of $1,000 or 10 per cent of the quarterly budget. People who transitioned from the old Home Care Packages system may have separate unspent HCP funds that are subject to different rules.

Therefore, budget tracking becomes important. If your service costs are lower than planned, do not leave the balance untouched. Consult with your provider regarding whether the care plan still meets your needs and whether the approved services can be modified.

What Happens to Unspent Funds?

The quarterly carry-over limit means you can't keep every dollar indefinitely. For example, if your quarterly budget is $8,000, then 10 percent will be $800. But because the minimum cap amount is $1,000, you can carry over $1,000.

The situation is different for people who transitioned from Home Care Packages with unspent HCP funds. Those funds remain available under specific rules and can be used for purposes such as Assistive Technology, Home Modifications and additional services once the quarterly budget has been used.

If you are in this position, ask your provider to explain which part of your balance is current Support at Home funding and which part is retained HCP funding.

The Care Management Allocation

There is another figure families should understand before comparing budgets. For ongoing Support at Home services, 10 per cent of the quarterly budget is allocated to care management. This is separate from the money used for direct services.

Care management can involve coordinating services and reviewing your needs. Your care managers will help make sure your support works together.

For someone receiving several services, that coordination can be useful. A person may have a support worker, nursing visits, therapy and domestic assistance all operating within the same care plan.

The important thing is to understand what your provider is offering as part of care management and how your individualised budget is being used.

What can Support at Home Pay for?

Support at Home has different service categories and the contribution rules depend on which type of service you receive. The three broad groups are clinical supports, independence services and everyday living services.

Clinical Care

Clinical care is fully government funded under Support at Home. This can include services such as Nursing Care, Wound Care, physiotherapy, podiatry and Occupational therapy. These services are approved and meet the program requirements.

Other Allied Health services may also be available depending on the person's assessed needs and support plan. Examples can include:

• Nursing
• Physiotherapy
• Occupational therapy
• Podiatry
• Dietetics
• Speech Therapy
• Other approved Clinical supports

This is an important distinction because participants do not pay a contribution towards eligible clinical support services.

Independence Services

Independence Services are designed to help you manage everyday activities while remaining independent at home.

They can include services such as personal care, transport and respite. Depending on what has been approved, personal care may involve help with:

• Showering
• Dressing
• Personal hygiene
• Eating
• Non-clinical continence management
• Assistance with self-administration of medication

Until 30 September 2026, personal care sits within the independence contribution category.

That changes on 1 October 2026 when personal care will become fully funded. From 1 October 2026, all personal care services under Support at Home will move into the Clinical Supports contribution category.

This means eligible participants will no longer pay an out-of-pocket contribution for approved personal care delivered from that date, provided the service is included in their support plan and they have available Support at Home funding.

The change does not mean personal care becomes unlimited. It still needs to be approved and the cost continues to come from the participant's available Support at Home budget.

The definition of personal care is also not changing. Services such as showering, dressing, personal hygiene and non-clinical continence support remain within the relevant service type.

For families currently paying a contribution towards personal care, this is a significant change to keep in mind.

Everyday Living Services

Everyday living services cover practical tasks that help someone continue living safely and comfortably at home.

They can include:

• Domestic assistance
• Cleaning
• Gardening
• Home maintenance
• Shopping
• Meal preparation
• Transport
• Social support and Social activities
• Community activities

These services generally attract a participant contribution based on the person's financial circumstances.

The amount is not simply determined by the funding classification. Services Australia assesses income and assets to determine relevant contribution rates.

What will you actually have to pay?

This is where many families become confused.

There are different Support at Home levels and your category tells you how much funding is available. What it doesn't tell you is the exact amount you are to pay for every service.

Clinical support services do not attract a participant contribution. Independence and everyday living services can require a contribution, with the amount depending on the service and your financial circumstances.

There is also a lifetime cap on non-clinical care contributions. The current cap is $137,917.01. It is combined with the relevant residential aged care contribution cap.

If you are concerned about affordability, ask about financial hardship assistance. Do not assume that a contribution you cannot afford means you have to go without essential care.

The No-Worse-Off Protection

Some people who were already approved for a Home Care Package before 12 September 2024 have additional protection.

Under the no-worse-off principle, these participants should pay the same or less under Support at Home than they would have paid under the previous Home Care Package system.

This is one reason it matters to know whether you are a new participant or someone who transitioned from the previous system.

Provider Prices matter too

Government funding is only part of the equation. Support at Home providers decide what to charge you. Those prices must be reasonable, transparent and all-inclusive and providers must publish their most frequently charged prices so participants can compare services.

The government has also deferred the implementation of planned Support at Home price caps while the market is reviewed. That means families should pay close attention to provider pricing.

In the case where one provider asks for $65 per hour while the other asks for $85, the lower-priced service will give one more support time when there is equal funding.

The low-cost factor does not necessarily mean that the low-cost provider is the best option. It all depends on quality, consistency, availability and continuity of care among other factors.

However, cost cannot be overlooked. Make sure you know the total cost by asking for the pricing list from the provider.

Option 2: Commonwealth Home Support Program

The Commonwealth Home Support Program is meant for the elderly who require basic level help to live independently and safely at home.

It can suit someone who needs help with one or two areas of daily life rather than a more complex package of Aged care services. CHSP can provide support such as:

• Domestic assistance
• Personal care
• Meals and food preparation
• Transport
• Social support
• Home maintenance
• Nursing care
• Some Allied Health services
• Respite

For instance, an individual who manages most of his or her life except for domestic chores can receive domestic assistance. Another person could require assistance in attending appointments or preparing meals.

CHSP providers receive government funding and participants contribute towards their care if they can afford to. Providers set their own contribution rates and must explain the costs clearly.

However, CHSP will not be withdrawn suddenly. In August 2026, it was announced that CHSP would continue up until 30 June 2029, with the longer-term transition to Support at Home occurring no earlier than 1 July 2027.

Access starts through My Aged Care and an aged care needs assessment.

Option 3: The NDIS

For people whose support needs arise from a permanent and significant disability, the National Disability Insurance Scheme may be the appropriate funding pathway.

The NDIS is separate from aged care. A person applying for the NDIS must be under 65 on the day they apply and must meet the other eligibility requirements.

Eligible participants may receive Disability Support for disability-related needs. Depending on the person's plan, this can include support workers, personal care, community participation, therapy, Assistive Technology and Home Modifications.

A Support Coordination arrangement may help some participants understand and use their plan, particularly where several services are involved.

The NDIS can be particularly important for a younger person who needs ongoing support at home because of disability rather than ageing.

Someone already receiving NDIS support does not simply lose that support because they turn 65. The rules around existing participants are different from the age requirement for a new application.

Option 4: Department of Veterans' Affairs

Veterans and eligible dependents should check whether DVA funding can help. The Veterans' Home Care program provides lower-level assistance to eligible veterans so they can remain independent at home. It can include household support, personal care and home and garden maintenance.

DVA also has other pathways for veterans with more complex needs. For example, eligible veterans may receive community nursing, while attendant care compensation can help with essential personal care linked to an accepted service-related condition.

If you are a veteran, do not assume you have to choose between DVA and every other form of support without checking your circumstances first.

Option 5: Paying privately

Some Brisbane families choose Private Care Services. That does not necessarily mean paying for everything.

Private care can be useful while someone is waiting for government-funded support to begin. It can also be used to top up funded services when a family wants extra hours.

For example, a person's funded support might cover morning personal care and essential domestic assistance. Their family may then pay privately for an additional afternoon visit each week.

Private care can also offer flexibility. You do not have to wait for an assessment or fit every need into a government-funded category. The downside to this is that the total price is charged to you.

Before opting for personal services, inquire about hourly rate, minimum visit period, cancellation terms and travel expenses.

Can You Combine Funding Options?

Many families do. A person might use Support at Home for approved nursing and personal care, then privately pay for extra cleaning.

Another person might receive CHSP while using private care to fill a gap. A veteran might use DVA services and privately fund additional assistance.

The important point is that the same service cannot simply be claimed twice from government funding. Each arrangement must be explicit regarding who is paying what.

If you are uncertain, you should check with your service provider or relevant government office prior to making the arrangement.

Self-Management: could it make your funding go further?

Some participants want to be more involved in choosing their workers and arranging their support. Self-management may give you more control, but it entails responsibilities too.

You need to hire people, manage their time, make records and handle other admin tasks. This type of management may be effective if there is an adult member of the family available to help out.

The potential advantage is flexibility. Rather than accepting one provider's standard service arrangement, you may have more say in who provides the support and how it is delivered.

A Brisbane example: how the numbers can change

Let's consider an 82-year-old Margaret from Brisbane. She requires assistance with showering a few times a week as well as regular dressing for her chronic wound.

Her assessment gives her a Support at Home classification and an associated quarterly budget. Her nursing falls under clinical care, so she does not pay a participant contribution for that clinical service.

Her other services are treated according to their relevant contribution categories and the financial assessment that applies to her.

Now consider the prices charged by the providers. The first provider charges $62 per hour for a specific support service. The other one charges $82. At four hours per week, the difference would be $80 per week. In a year, this difference will exceed $4,000.

This does not mean that all providers in Brisbane charge such prices. It shows why published prices matter. The same amount of funding can produce different amounts of practical support depending on the provider's rates.

What if the person needs specialist support?

Some people have needs that go well beyond cleaning and basic assistance. They may need Clinical Support Services, complex nursing, therapy or Specialist Care Services. Others may need equipment or changes to their home.

Support at Home can provide pathways for Assistive Technology and Home Modifications, depending on the person's needs and eligibility. A person recovering from illness may need temporary restorative care. Someone approaching the end of life may require palliative care and additional clinical support.

The point is that home care is not only about having someone clean the house. The system can support a range of needs, but the service must fit within the relevant program rules and the person's approved care plan.

How to start the process in Brisbane

If you are helping a parent or relative, start by writing down what is actually happening at home. Think about:

• Showering and dressing
• Meals and food preparation
• Cleaning
• Shopping
• Medication
• Mobility
• Social Support and Companionship
• Getting to appointments
• Falls or safety concerns
• Social isolation
• Support provided by family members

These details help explain the person's care requirements.

Contact My Aged Care

For aged care, My Aged Care is the starting point. They arrange in-home assessments to understand the person's day-to-day needs, living situation and the type of aged care support that may be appropriate.

Complete the financial assessment

For Support at Home, your financial circumstances can affect contributions for relevant services. Complete the required income and assets assessment and ask questions if you do not understand what information is being requested.

If you have difficulty paying a contribution because of circumstances outside your control, ask about financial hardship assistance.

Choosing a provider

Once you know which funding pathway applies, compare care providers carefully. This is especially important when selecting an aged care provider. Find out:

• What does each service cost?
• Are there travel charges?
• Is there a minimum visit length?
• How is care management handled?
• Can we choose our Support Worker?
• What happens if our usual worker is unavailable?
• How often will our care plan be reviewed?
• What happens if our needs change?
• Will we receive regular budget statements?
• Are there any other fees?

Under Support at Home, providers must give participants clear information about prices and provide monthly statements showing how the budget has been used.

That information is useful. It lets you see what you are paying for instead of guessing where the money has gone.

Common mistakes families make

First is waiting for a crisis to occur. If you feel your loved one may require assistance in the future, do it ahead of time because assessing and finding a provider takes time.

The second is underestimating the person's needs. Families often say, "Mum can manage," while quietly doing most of the work themselves. That hidden support still tells you something about the person's actual needs.

The third is choosing a provider without checking prices. A provider may be excellent, but if its rates are much higher than another suitable provider, your available funding may cover fewer hours.

The fourth is ignoring the budget until the money is nearly gone. Regular budget tracking gives you time to make changes.

The fifth is assuming that every type of support is funded in the same way.

Clinical services, independence services and everyday living services have different contribution arrangements.

A simple checklist

If you are starting the process, keep it practical.

1. Write down the person's needs.

Include the tasks they struggle with and the help family members already provide.

2. Find the right funding pathway.

Start with My Aged Care for aged care. Consider the NDIS for eligible disability-related support and DVA if the person is an eligible veteran.

3. Complete the assessment.

Clearly describe your day-to-day life.

4. Understand the funding.

Check the classification, quarterly budget, contribution rules and care management allocation.

5. Compare providers.

Look at prices, availability, reliability and the actual services offered.

6. Ask about flexibility.

Find out whether workers and services can be changed when circumstances change.

7. Mind your budget.

Check how much money has been used at the end of each quarter.

8. Check the agreement.

If there are changes in the person’s needs, contact the provider and discuss the need for reviewing the agreement.

The bottom line on Home Care Funding in Brisbane

For many older Australians, Support at Home is now the main program for ongoing care, while CHSP continues to support people with entry-level needs. The NDIS, DVA and private care may also provide support depending on a person’s circumstances.

The best place to start is with the person’s actual care needs. Once you understand what help is required, you can find the right funding pathway, understand your contribution and compare providers based on both price and quality.

Good home care services should make life easier, giving people the support they need to remain independent and providing greater peace of mind for their families.