What families need to know about co-contributions under the End-of-Life Pathway 

When someone you love is nearing the end of their life, the focus should be on comfort, time together, and support — not unexpected costs.

Since Australia’s Support at Home program launched in November 2025, some families are discovering that end-of-life care at home may come with significant out-of-pocket costs they hadn’t anticipated.

Understanding how co-contributions work under the End-of-Life Pathway means you and your family can plan ahead, ask the right questions, and access the care you deserve without any surprises.

What is the End-of-Life Pathway?

The End-of-Life Pathway is a dedicated funding stream within the Support at Home program, designed for older people who have been diagnosed with three months or less to live and who want to remain at home.

Funding of $25,000 is available over 12 weeks, with flexibility to extend that funding to 16 weeks if needed. That budget can be used across a range of support services tailored to individual needs and circumstances, from nursing and allied health to personal care, meals, domestic assistance, and assistance with daily activities.

Where co-contributions come in

Under the End-of-Life Pathway, not all services are funded in the same way.

Clinical care (such as nursing and allied health) is fully funded by the government. Everyday support services may require a co-contribution.

These everyday services can include:

• Help with meals
• Cleaning and household tasks
• Transport or shopping

An important update from October 2026

The Australian Government has announced that from October 2026, personal care services — including showering, dressing, and continence support — will be reclassified as clinical care. This means they will be fully government-funded, with no co-contribution required.

If you or someone you love is accessing the End-of-Life Pathway before 1 October 2026, personal care may still attract a co-contribution in the meantime. It is worth speaking with your provider about what applies to your specific situation right now.

What co-contributions may still apply

For everyday living services accessed under the End-of-Life Pathway, co-contributions continue to apply based on your income and assets assessment through Services Australia.

Who is most affected?

The co-contribution rules apply to anyone who entered the Support at Home program on or after 1 November 2025 under the standard contribution arrangements. If you were already receiving, or approved for, a Home Care Package before 12 September 2024, you may have “no worse off” protections, meaning your previous fee arrangements are largely maintained.

(Note: It is important to confirm how this applies in your individual circumstances, particularly for End-of-Life Pathway access.)

For people new to the system, including those who may have been managing well without formal aged care support and are now suddenly facing an end-of-life diagnosis, the standard contribution rates apply in full.

It is also important to note that the $25,000 End-of-Life Pathway budget does not count toward the lifetime contribution cap for ongoing Support at Home services. Contributions made during this pathway period are separate from the lifetime cap that applies to ongoing care.

What services are (and are not) affected?

All clinical care is fully government-funded. This includes nursing, allied health, and from 1 October 2026, personal care services such as showering, dressing, and continence support.

Co-contributions continue to apply to everyday living services such as cleaning, gardening, shopping, and meal preparation. Any contributions are set by Services Australia based on personal income and assets, and are only charged for services delivered.

These can often be services families value most during this time. A caregiver who prepares a nourishing meal, or who keeps the home calm and manageable, provides deeply meaningful support. Knowing in advance that some of these services may carry a cost is important.

What you can do

If you or someone you care about has a life-limiting illness and wishes to remain at home, it is helpful to take a few early steps.

Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and ask about the End-of-Life Pathway and eligibility.

Complete an income and assets assessment through Services Australia. This ensures your contribution rate is accurate and avoids being charged the maximum default rate.

Speak with your provider about costs. Ask for a clear explanation of which services are fully funded, which may require a contribution, and an estimate of potential out-of-pocket costs.

Ask about financial hardship support if needed. If paying contributions would cause financial difficulty, you can apply for assistance. If approved, the government may reduce or cover some costs.

The care you deserve

End-of-life care should be guided by what matters most to you and your family.

Understanding how funding and contributions work can help you make informed choices and focus on what’s most important: comfort, dignity, and time together.

Dovida’s team is here to help you navigate the system, understand your options, and plan care that supports you at home.

If you would like to talk through your situation, please visit dovida.com.au or call 1300 008 018.