New Reforms to In-Home Aged Care & What It Means for You at My Allied Care

At My Allied Care, we’re committed to helping you stay safe, mobile and independent at home and the upcoming changes to the aged-care landscape mean we’re well-placed to support you even better. Here’s a clear summary of what’s changing, and how our home-based podiatry, physiotherapy and exercise physiology (EP) services fit in.

What’s changing?

The big picture

From 1 November 2025, the federal government will replace the current Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short‑Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs with a new unified program called Support at Home (SAH). The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will transition to SAH no earlier than 1 July 2027.

Why is this happening?

These reforms are part of the implementation of the Aged Care Act 2024 and aim to simplify access to care, improve flexibility and better align services to need.

What are the key changes?

• A new classification system of support levels (moving beyond the previous four HCP levels) to better match individual needs.

• Budgets will be allocated quarterly (rather than annually) for many participants, providing more responsive support.

• More emphasis on early intervention, assistive technology and home modifications being available “up front” rather than waiting to accumulate funds.

• Clinical services (allied health, nursing, etc) will have clearer pathways under SAH; non-clinical supports will continue but may involve co-contributions depending on means and service type.

• Pricing and transparency: providers must publish standard prices, and from 1 July 2026 certain price caps apply.

  
  

What happens to current HCP participants?

If you already have a Home Care Package, you will be automatically transitioned into SAH on 1 November 2025. You won’t need a new assessment unless your situation changes. You will be engaged to review your care plan and agree to a “Support at Home” service agreement.

How this affects you and how we at My Allied Care can help

At My Allied Care, we specialise in home-visits for podiatry, physiotherapy and exercise physiology, especially under Home Care Packages (HCP) and the NDIS. With SAH coming into effect, our services continue to be highly relevant and possibly even more important. Here’s how:

Home Podiatry

Feet are the foundation and for many older people, foot health is vital to mobility, independence and staying at home. We come to you: our mobile podiatry service means you don’t need to travel, you receive care in your familiar environment, and we tailor to your individual needs (whether skin & nail care, biomechanical assessment, footwear advice, ulcer or high-risk foot monitoring). With SAH increasing focus on early intervention, mobility support, home safety and allied-health access, our podiatry offering aligns directly with those priorities.

Home Physiotherapy

Whether you’re regaining strength after illness, managing chronic conditions, avoiding falls, improving transfers, or staying active, our physiotherapists deliver home-based programs that address your functional goals in the real-life contexts of your home. Under SAH’s emphasis on independence, restorative care pathways and personalised support, this is a core fit.We’ll work with you to assess mobility, strength, balance, transfers, equipment needs and more and keep the focus on helping you stay safely at home as long as possible.

Home Exercise Physiology (EP)

Movement matters, especially as we age. Our exercise physiologists can design safe home-based exercise programs that complement your physiotherapy, maintain strength, manage chronic conditions (like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis), and help you connect with your body in a meaningful way.Under SAH, clinical and allied health services are highlighted meaning that customised EP care in the home is exactly the kind of support the new framework recognises and promotes.

What this means practically for you

• Review of your care plan: We’ll work with you (and your care manager) to update your home-based services plan so that you’re aligned with the new SAH program from November 2025.

• Transparent pricing: If there are changes in how your services are funded or how contributions are calculated, we’ll explain them clearly.

• No disruption to your services: You stay with us (if you choose) and we ensure continuity of care.

• Focus on outcomes: With SAH’s emphasis on early intervention, home modifications and allied health, we’ll collaborate with you to identify what you want to achieve (mobility goals, independence, reducing falls, better foot health) and deliver accordingly.

• Work with your budget: As budgets move to quarterly models, we’ll help you plan how your home podiatry, physio and EP services fit within your support plan.

  
  

Why choose My Allied Care during this change?

• Mobile delivery: We come to you in your home so you avoid travel, have more comfort and better functional relevance of the treatment.

• Experienced clinicians: Our podiatrists and physiotherapists have 4–5 years’ experience, and our team understands how home-based care under HCP/NDIS works.

• Specialised for home care: We’re intimately familiar with the pathways, the assessments, the supports available and we’re ready for the SAH transition.

• Tailored, patient-centred support: Whether your goal is maintaining mobility, preventing further decline, reducing risk of falls, optimising foot health or improving strength - we customise our services.

• Holistic approach: We don’t just deliver one isolated service: our podiatry, physio and EP services can integrate, and we can liaise with your broader care team, your GP, your family, and your funded care manager.

  
  

Next steps for you

1. Check with your care manager/provider about your upcoming transition to SAH. Make sure you understand how your current plan will translate into the new program, and when your service agreement needs to be updated.

2. Book a review with us at My Allied Care - let’s go through your home environment, your mobility goals, your foot and physiotherapy needs, and map a plan that aligns with SAH.

3. Prepare questions:

   • Will my services change under SAH?

   • Will my contributions change?

   • How will quarterly budgeting affect my ongoing care?

   • Are there home modifications, assistive technologies I should consider (and we can assess)?

4. Stay informed: Visit the government’s resources on Support at Home so you’re clear on your rights, your contributions, your care options.

At My Allied Care, we believe this reform is a positive step toward more flexible, responsive and rights-based care at home. And we’re here to make sure you get the allied-health support you need without leaving home, and in a way that reflects your goals, your home and your life.

Feel free to contact us to discuss how your care will look going into the new program - and let’s plan together for stronger mobility, better foot health, safe movement and maximum independence.