Southcare Prepares for the New Support at Home Program, Enhancing Aged Care Services Across Perth

PERTH, WA - 13th May 2025 - Southcare, a trusted provider of aged care and support at home services in Perth, is actively preparing for the Australian Government's upcoming Support at Home program, which will commence on 1 July 2025. This program, together with the new Aged Care Act and revised Aged Care Quality Standards, represents a transformative shift in the delivery of aged care across the nation.

Driven by the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, the reforms respond directly to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, and aim to put the customer at the centre of care. As a values-based organisation, Southcare is ready and supportive of these changes, recognising that they better define what good home care means and how it should be delivered.

"It's an exciting time at Southcare as we prepare to transition to the Support at Home program," said Enda Fahy, CEO at Southcare. "We understand the importance of supporting people to remain in their homes and communities longer, with personalised and high-quality care that promotes independence and wellbeing."

What Is the Support at Home Program?
The Support at Home program will replace the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme from 1 July 2025. It is designed to:
Simplify access to aged care support at home
Provide a more consistent and equitable funding model
Offer greater flexibility and transparency in care delivery
Align with the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will also be integrated into
Support at Home in a future phase, with updates to be communicated accordingly.

Key Questions Southcare Is Helping Answer
To support our clients and their families through the transition, Southcare has developed a comprehensive Support at Home FAQ guide covering:
What is Support at Home?
When does it start?
Who is eligible?
What are the funding classifications and service types?
What happens to existing HCP customers or those on a waitlist?
What can unspent funds be used for?
How much government support is available?
Will care costs or management fees change?
What should customers do ahead of the important 12 September 2024 milestone?

This resource is now available on Southcare's website, and the team is on hand to help clients understand what the transition means for them.
Southcare's Transition Plan Includes:
Staff Training: All team members are being trained in accordance with the Support at Home program provider transition guide and related resources.

System Readiness: Updates to Southcare's internal systems are underway to meet the new data, reporting, and payment processing requirements.

Client Communication: Southcare is proactively sharing timely updates to ensure no client is left behind. From phone calls to online resources, we're here to make the transition smooth.

Service Realignment: Our services are being reviewed to reflect the Support at Home service list, ensuring continued delivery of safe, high-quality care.

53 Bickley Crescent, Manning, WA, 6152

Southcare is a not-for-profit community organisation providing support at home services across Perth. With a mission to deliver compassionate, personalised care, Southcare empowers older adults to maintain independence and live well in their own homes. From aged care support to disability support at home, Southcare offers a wide range of tailored services that place the person-not the process-at the heart of care.

This release was published on openPR.