How your quarterly
budget works under
Support at Home
Under Support at Home, your funding is calculated
quarterly - here is what that means for your care, your
spending, and your unspent funds.
If you have recently moved onto the Support at Home (SAH) program or you are preparing to, one of the most common questions is: how does my funding actually work?
Under the Australian Government's Support at Home program, funding is delivered as a quarterly budget designed to help older Australians access personalised care services while maintaining greater independence at home. Unlike the old Home Care Package model, government funding under Support at Home is not delivered as one annual sum. Instead, it arrives as a quarterly budget, renewed every three months.
How your quarterly budget is calculated
Your quarterly budget is based on your Support at Home classification level, which is determined during your aged care assessment through My Aged Care. There are eight classification levels under the new program - up from four under the old system - allowing for a better match between your needs and your funding. Your total annual funding is then divided evenly across the four quarters of the financial year.
Quarter 1
1 July – 30 September
Quarter 2
1 October – 31 December
Quarter 3
1 January – 31 March
Quarter 4
1 April – 30 June
The eight levels range from lower-needs support (light domestic help, social connection) through to near full-time care for people with complex health requirements. For a full breakdown of each level including annual and quarterly funding amounts read our guide: Support at Home classifications 1–8 explained.
What is the 10% Care Management Fee?
Before your quarterly budget is available for services, up to 10% is set aside for care management covering coordination, Support Plan updates, and oversight of your care. For example, at Level 4, roughly $742 of your $7,424 quarterly budget goes to care management, leaving around $6,682 for day-to-day services.
What can you spend your quarterly budget on?
Your budget can be used on approved services listed in your Support Plan, across three categories:
Clinical supports are fully funded under Support at Home. That means no matter a person's income or assets, they will not be asked to contribute to the cost of clinical services. These supports include essential care such as:
- Nursing care
- Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy
- Help with wound care
These are health-related services delivered by qualified professionals and these services are fully paid for through your funding program. You do not need to make any contribution toward these costs.
These funded services are intended to support safer, more independent living for older Australians receiving care at home. There is also a separate Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) budget for items like grab rails, ramps, and mobility aids. This sits outside your regular quarterly budget. If you are unsure what is covered, visit our Help Guides or speak with your our team on 1800 024 000.
What happens to unspent funds?
Unspent funds do carry over to the next quarter and you are not penalised for having money left over. However, there is a cap: you can carry forward up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget, whichever is greater. Any amount above the cap does not roll over.
Services Australia calculates your carryover amount either 61 days after the quarter ends, or the day after your provider submits their final claim, whichever comes first. The confirmed amount is then added to your next quarterly budget.
What if you need more support?
If your care needs change following an illness, a fall, or a shift in your circumstances, you need to contact My Aged Care to request a reassessment. If approved, your classification level may be updated, increasing your quarterly budget going forward. You can also choose to top up with privately funded services if you need more support in the short term.
Changes in mobility, memory, recovery after hospital stays, or increased day-to-day support needs can all affect the level of care you require over time. Reviewing your support regularly helps ensure your quarterly budget continues to reflect your current circumstances and care needs.
If you are unsure whether your current funding still matches your situation, your provider or Co-Care Partner can help you understand your options and guide you through the reassessment process.
Take control of your Support at Home budget
When you self-manage your Support at Home package with PlanCare, you get something that matters: real visibility over how your funding is being spent and genuine control over the choices that shape your care.
You choose your own support workers, set your own rates, and track every transaction in real time through the PlanCare Portal. Because self-management keeps administration costs low, more of your budget goes directly toward your care and support that makes a difference in your daily life. That means greater value, greater flexibility, and care that truly works around you.
Find out how self-management works and see why it is the best way to make the most of your Support at Home funding.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Quarterly budget under Support at Home
Not sure how your budget is tracking?
Our team is here to help you understand your Support at Home funding - clearly and without the jargon. Give us a call or send an enquiry and we will walk you through it together.
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