The way Australia delivers aged care is about to change significantly. As of July 1, 2025, the new Support at Home program officially replaces the old Home Care Packages (HCP) system. For Australians wanting control over their care, understanding self-management in this new world is more important than ever.
Self-managing your government-funded aged care allows you to choose your own support workers and get more care hours from your budget by reducing high provider fees. This guide explains how the new system works, compares the best self-managed aged care providers for 2025, and shows you how to take control of your care.
Support at Home 2025: What’s Changing?
The Support at Home program is designed to be more flexible and streamlined. While the core benefit of self-management remains—more choice and lower fees—the structure is different.
- End of Home Care Packages: The four levels of HCP are gone. Instead, you will have a single, flexible budget based on your assessed needs.
- Capped Fees: Care and package management fees are now capped. This is a major win for consumers, but it’s crucial to choose a provider with a transparent and low-fee structure.
- Keep Unspent Funds: You will be able to keep unspent funds, giving you more control over how your budget is used over time.
The good news? The principle of self-management is stronger than ever. You can still choose your own workers and direct your own care, but you must partner with a low-fee approved provider to administer your funds.
Why Choose Self-Managed Aged Care?
The primary motivation for self-managing is simple: getting more care from your government funding.
- Lower Admin Fees: Traditional providers can charge up to 30-40% of your budget in fees. Self-management providers charge significantly less, often between 13-20%.
- More Care Hours: Lower fees mean more money in your budget for direct support—whether that’s for personal care, cleaning, transport, or allied health.
- Total Control: You choose who supports you, when they come, and what services they provide. You are not locked into a single agency’s staff or schedule.
Best Self-Managed Aged Care Providers in Australia
Choosing the right provider to partner with is the most important decision you’ll make. A good provider acts as your administrative partner, handling the government funds efficiently while you manage your care.
Here’s a comparison of leading providers in the new Support at Home landscape:
| Provider | Key Feature | Best For | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| MD Home Care | Expert Guidance & Low Fees | Maximising care hours with expert support. | Visit Site |
| HomeMade | Technology Platform | Tech-savvy users who want a portal to manage care. | homemadesupport.com.au |
| Trilogy Care | National Network | Broad access to a network of carers across Australia. | trilogycare.com.au |
| My Plan Manager | Focus on NDIS & Aged Care | People navigating both the NDIS and Aged Care systems. | myplanmanager.com.au |
Why MD Home Care Excels in Self-Management: At MD Home Care, we focus on a partnership model. We provide the essential administrative support you need to remain compliant, but with a low-fee structure designed to maximise the funds available for your care. We believe you know your needs best. Our role is to empower you to meet them. Contact us to learn about our fee structure.
How to Start with Self-Managed Care
- Get Assessed: Your journey starts with an assessment from My Aged Care. A team will visit you to understand your needs and determine your budget. You can call them on 1800 200 422 or visit the My Aged Care website.
- Choose the Self-Management Pathway: During your assessment and planning, state that you wish to self-manage your funds.
- Select an Approved Provider: This is your key partner. Choose a provider like MD Home Care that specialises in low-fee self-management.
- Build Your Team: Start identifying support workers you trust. You can use platforms like Mable or Hireup, or engage independent workers directly.
- Create Your Care Plan: Work with your chosen provider to document your care plan, which they will use to administer your funds in a compliant way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really manage my own aged care package?
Yes. Under the new Support at Home program, self-management is a core feature. It gives you control over your care, but you must partner with an approved provider to handle the government funds.
How much funding can I get?
Funding is no longer based on four rigid levels. It is based on an individual assessment of your needs. The goal is to provide a flexible budget that you can use for the services you require.
Can I choose my own support worker?
Absolutely. This is the main benefit of self-management. You can hire independent workers, use agency staff, or a mix of both. The choice is yours.
What happens to my unspent funds?
With the Support at Home program, you can now keep your unspent funds. This allows you to save for larger items or future needs, giving you more long-term control over your budget.
Is it hard to switch to a self-managed provider?
No. The process is straightforward. Once you have chosen a new provider like MD Home Care, they will manage the transition for you, including transferring any unspent funds from your previous provider.
Conclusion
The shift to the Support at Home program in July 2025 is a positive step for Australians who want to direct their own aged care. By choosing to self-manage with a low-fee, supportive provider, you can significantly increase your care hours and build a support team that truly understands your needs.
If you’re ready to take control of your care and want to partner with a provider who will empower you, contact MD Home Care today. We can explain our simple, low-fee model and help you get the most out of your government funding.