Yesterday, 4 June 2025, the Australian Government announced that implementation of the Support at Home Program and the new Aged Care Act 2024 has been delayed to 1 November 2025. Read the media release here.
The announcement provides much welcome relief to existing providers who were struggling to meet transition deadlines, and also provides a window of opportunity to those who had paused their plans to submit new provider applications.
What does this mean for new provider applicants?
Having been advised a new provider application form and process would be released in mid-May 2025, potential new applicants had paused their plans until there was more certainty around the assessment guidelines. The provisions in the Transitional Act allowed for any applicant organisations who had not received a finalised assessment by 30 June to then be treated as an applicant under the new Aged Care Act 2024. This would have resulted in the issuance of a request for additional information under the new Support at Home requirements.
Yesterday’s announcement means applicant organisations can now push forward and submit on the basis of the existing application process – including the existing application form and assessment against the Aged Care Act 1997. This also means application fees will remain the same and those submitting prior to 31 October 2025 will avoid the substantial increase that will come into effect with Support at Home.
Key recommendations
While there are 5 months until the revised implementation date, SoCom Consulting recommends new applicants still aim for submission at least 30 days (preferably 60) before 31 October. The Commission is allowed 90 days to conduct its first review of new applications, but has been known to do this more quickly. The longer the amount of time allowed before commencement of Support at Home, the greater chance of avoiding the goal posts being moved under the Transitional Act.
It will also be prudent for new applicants to ensure they address the key changes coming in under Support at Home, ensuring they align their processes and policies with the Statement of Rights and the increased focus on feedback and complaints handling, workforce governance, risk management and whistleblower systems.
How can we help?
SoCom Consulting advises on new Aged Care Provider applications and the compliance requirements around documentation and worker obligations. We have begun developing and releasing updated documentation for Support at Home and our policies under the Home Care Package Program are also still available on our store. To discuss how we can assist you, Contact Us.
