Unless this one thing changes, many won’t be able to afford aged care

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Unless this one thing changes, many won’t be able to afford aged care

Rachel Lane Money contributor October 1, 2025 — 5.01am Advertisement

When the government’s new Support at Home program begins , many older Australians will be shocked by just how much they’re expected to pay for their aged care. The hardest hit will be pensioners.

Support at Home will replace the current Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care programs and introduce new initiatives: assistive technology, home modifications and end-of-life pathway. The new means test will include your assets and income. There will be no annual cap – rather just a lifetime cap across home care and residential aged care of $130,000.

Without changes, the scheme risks le