The Australian Government has unveiled new training modules to assist home care providers in preparing for the upcoming Support at Home program, which comes into effect in just four weeks.
The Support at Home program aims to offer a simpler and more equitable system for older Australians, enabling them to stay at home longer with the necessary support.
These resources aim to facilitate a smooth transition from the existing Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs to the new model from 1 July, 2025.
The self-paced training focuses on the key changes and provider responsibilities under Support at Home, and it is structured into two main learning packages.
Learning Package 1 – Program Overview
This module offers a comprehensive introduction to the Support at Home program, detailing its fundamental concepts and operational framework. It’s designed for providers seeking a broad understanding of the program’s design.
Learning Package 2 – Delivering Services Modules
This set comprises four modules, providing in-depth guidance on various aspects of service delivery. They follow the typical stages of a participant’s journey through home care, reflecting what providers need to do at each stage.
Module 1: Assessment Process and Service Delivery explores aged care assessments, provider obligations, the Support at Home Service List, and funding classifications.
Module 2: Service Agreement, Care Plan, and Budget Planning covers the development of service agreements, care plans, participant budgets, care management, and self-management options.
Module 3: Short-Term Pathways details the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme, Restorative Care Pathway, and End-of-Life Pathway.
Module 4: Claiming and Payment Arrangements explains the claiming process, claiming timeframes, and resolution procedures.
The training has been built around key personas that reflect common roles in aged care so that participants can complete the most relevant training for them. While the personas may not align perfectly, there should be key responsibilities that match most roles.
The six personas are leadership, governance, operations support, managers, care partners and frontline workforce.
While the training is not mandatory, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing recommends that providers complete at least the program overview to understand their responsibilities under the new Aged Care Act.
The modules are accessible online and can be integrated into providers’ Learning Management Systems (LMS) upon request.
This initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to ensure aged care providers are well-equipped to deliver high-quality care under the reformed system.
For more information, and to access the training modules, visit the Support at Home provider training page.
