New Personal Care Rules: No Out-of-Pocket Costs from October 2026

From 1 October 2026, approved personal care services under Support at Home will have no out-of-pocket costs.

If you’re paying towards help with showering, getting dressed or other personal care routines, those contributions will stop for services delivered from that date.

You’ll still need personal care approved in your support plan and available funding to spend on it. But if the contribution has made you hesitate about accepting help, this could make a difference.

And personal care covers more than you might think. Alongside showering, it can include support with grooming, eating, getting ready for the day and more.

Want the changes explained in one place? Download 365 Care’s updated Support at Home Quick Guide for a straightforward explanation of personal care, services and funding.

rom 1 October 2026, personal care moves from the Independence contribution category to Clinical Supports. That means the government covers the full service cost through your available Support at Home funding, without you paying a personal contribution.

The services themselves aren’t changing. You can still receive the same kinds of personal care, and you won’t need another assessment simply because the contribution arrangements are being updated.

If you’re already receiving approved personal care, your provider should explain how the change affects you. They may also contact you to update your service agreement or other paperwork.

The Australian Government’s explanation of the change sets out what’s changing and what stays the same.

Which services will have no out-of-pocket costs?

The change applies to approved personal care services, which can help with a range of essential daily routines.

Depending on your assessed needs and support plan, these may include:

• Getting dressed: help with clothing, shoes, socks and fasteners.
• Washing and grooming: showering, bathing, shaving and oral hygiene.
• Toileting: assistance using the toilet and non-clinical continence support.
• Moving during personal care: help getting out of bed or transferring to the shower.
• Eating and drinking: hands-on assistance with meals and drinks that are already prepared.
• Medication routines: appropriate prompts and reminders to support taking your own medication.

You might manage most of your morning routine yourself but struggle with buttons or putting on shoes. Or you might feel more comfortable showering with someone nearby.

These are useful things to mention to your care partner. You don’t need to wait until every part of your routine becomes difficult before asking what help could be available.

Could the change make it easier to get more help?

If you’ve been putting off personal care because of the contribution, it’s worth having another conversation with your provider.

Perhaps you declined dressing assistance or chose fewer visits because you were concerned about the personal cost. Your care partner can check what’s approved and explore whether a different arrangement would work for you.

Personal care will still be paid from your Support at Home budget, so the change doesn’t automatically increase your funding or add more visits. Any extra support needs to fit your available funds alongside the other services you use.

Ask your care partner to show you what a revised schedule could look like. That gives you a clear picture of your options before you decide.

What happens to the cost of your other services?

The October change removes personal care contributions. It doesn’t remove contributions for every service under Support at Home.

Cleaning, gardening, transport and meal preparation keep their own contribution arrangements. If you receive a mix of services, you may still have personal payments for some of them.

For example, help eating a prepared meal can fall under personal care, while cooking or delivering that meal is a different service. Similarly, assistance with showering is personal care, while cleaning the bathroom is domestic assistance.

If you’re unsure how a service is classified, ask your provider to explain it. You can also check the government’s Support at Home service list.

What should you do before the change takes effect?

If you’re already receiving personal care, ask your provider how the new arrangements will appear on your statements. You don’t need to reapply just to have the contribution removed.

If you’d like to start personal care or review the help you receive, tell your care partner which tasks you’re finding difficult. They can check your support plan, available funding and whether a Support Plan Review is needed.

If you’re waiting for funding and your needs have changed, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. Explain what’s become harder since your assessment so they can discuss whether your needs should be reviewed.

Your provider should be keeping you informed about changes that affect your care. If you’d like help understanding your situation, or you’re considering a move to another provider, the 365 Care team is here to help.

What else should you know about the October changes?

Will personal care contributions stop for self-funded retirees too?

Yes. The change includes self-funded retirees as well as pensioners. From 1 October 2026, you won’t pay a contribution for approved personal care when Support at Home funding is available. Contributions may still apply to other services, depending on your individual arrangements.

Will payments for earlier personal care be refunded?

No. The change applies to personal care delivered from 1 October 2026 and isn’t backdated. If an invoice arrives after that date, it may still include contributions for earlier visits. Check the service dates and ask your provider about anything that isn’t clear.

Are personal care contributions changing under CHSP?

This announcement applies to Support at Home. It doesn’t automatically change fees for services delivered through the Commonwealth Home Support Program. If you receive CHSP services, your provider can explain which contribution arrangements apply to your care.

Do I need to change providers to receive the benefit?

No. The contribution change applies across Support at Home providers, so you can stay with your current provider. If you’re considering switching because you’d like different support or better communication, that’s a separate decision. You don’t need to switch for this change to apply.

Understand the changes with our updated Quick Guide

Our Support at Home Quick Guide brings together the personal care changes, service categories and funding information in plain English.