The release of the Support at Home Operational Manual marks a pivotal shift in aged care services, effective from 1 July 2025, replacing Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC). This change brings new opportunities and responsibilities for Allied Health Professionals, such as Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, when delivering in-home services. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Wellness and Reablement at the Core
The program emphasises person-centred care through wellness and reablement, requiring allied health professionals to design services that enhance independence and reduce long-term care needs. This means allied health professionals would be delivering interventions that build client capacity, such as:
• Goal-directed therapy for daily living skills
• Fall prevention strategies
• Functional mobility and equipment prescription
2. Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme
A major change is the AT-HM Scheme, which offers separate funding for approved items and services such as mobility aids, communication devices, and home modifications. Funding is tiered – low ($500), medium ($2,000), and high ($15,000) – and must be used within 12 months. Complex items and modifications require prescription by qualified allied health professionals, making allied health professionals crucial in:
• Conducting assessments and prescriptions
• Liaising with support coordinators
• Ensuring compliance with AT-HM verification and delivery protocols
• Timely reporting and evidence submission
3. Restorative Care Pathway
The program places a strong emphasis on restorative care, offering up to 12 weeks of intensive allied health and/or nursing services to help clients regain function and independence. Each episode is funded up to $6,000 for 12 weeks, with allied health professionals playing a central role in care delivery and goal setting. Providers are required to create individualised goal plans, replacing traditional care plans for this service, and must deliver multidisciplinary care tailored to the participant’s needs. This opens scope for intensive allied health interventions, particularly post-hospitalisation or following acute events, where goal-focused therapy can prevent premature residential care admission.
Looking Ahead for Home Care Providers
Home Care Providers should ensure care plans integrate allied health goals and reablement strategies, leveraging therapy input to meet client aspirations and reduce service dependency. Regular communication between care managers and allied health professionals is essential for effective care reviews and budget planning under the new program.
Why This Matters
As funding classifications, participant contributions, and service expectations shift, allied health providers and home care organisations must adapt proactively. The Support at Home Manual is not just policy—it’s a roadmap to delivering impactful, sustainable care.
At Super Rehab, we’re ready to support our clients and partners through these changes. If you need assistance with AT-HM assessments, reablement planning, or allied health service delivery, we’re here to help.
For more details or to collaborate, contact us at info@superrehab.com.au or visit superrehab.com.au.
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