How Support at Home Quarterly Budgets Work 

Support at Home introduces a quarterly budget system that differs significantly from the previous Home Care Package approach. Understanding how these budgets work helps you plan your care effectively and make informed decisions about the services you receive. 

The Quarterly Structure 

Under Support at Home, your annual funding allocation is divided into four roughly equal budgets, each covering three months of the year. These quarterly periods align with January, April, July and October. At the beginning of each quarter, your full three-month budget becomes available for use. 

This quarterly approach differs from monthly budget cycles and provides more flexibility in how you use your services throughout the year. You’re not constrained by monthly spending patterns, allowing you to adapt your service use based on your changing needs within each three-month period. 

What Your Budget Covers 

You can only use your Support at Home budget for services documented in your Notice of Decision and accompanying support plan. These are the services you’ve been formally assessed as requiring based on your aged care assessment. If you’d like additional services beyond what’s approved in your assessment, these can be arranged as privately funded services. 

Your quarterly budget is held on your behalf in an account managed by Services Australia. Your provider claims against this funding once services are delivered, ensuring you’re only charged for care you actually receive. 

Carrying Over Unused Funds 

One important feature of the quarterly system is the ability to accrue unused funds. If you don’t spend your full budget within a quarter, you can carry over a maximum of $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget (whichever is higher) to the next quarter. 

This carryover provision recognises that your needs aren’t perfectly predictable. Perhaps you have family support available during one period, or you experience good health and require fewer services. The ability to accrue some funds provides a buffer for unexpected needs or planned increases in care requirements. 

Transitioning with Existing Unspent Funds 

If you were assessed for a Home Care Package on or before October 31, 2025, any accrued funds from your Home Care Package are retained when you transition to Support at Home. These unspent funds remain available for your use, but they must be used before requesting any additional funds or seeking reassessment. 

This protection ensures you don’t lose savings you’ve accumulated under the previous system. These funds can be particularly valuable for larger purchases like assistive technology or home modifications, or for periods when your care needs temporarily increase. 

Working with Your Care Manager 

Your Dovida Care Manager plays a crucial role in helping you manage your quarterly budget effectively. They work with you to create an individual budget that reflects the services you’ve been assessed as needing within your government subsidy. If you’re required to make contributions based on your Services Australia assessment, your Care Manager will explain these costs and answer any questions. 

Throughout each quarter, your Care Manager monitors your budget usage through the monthly statements you receive. These statements detail your expenditure against your individual budget, helping you understand how your funds are being used and what remains available. 

Hardship Provisions 

If you can’t afford your aged care contributions for reasons beyond your control, hardship assistance may be available. Services Australia assesses your specific circumstances, and if approved, the government may pay some or all of your fees directly to your provider on your behalf. 

These hardship provisions recognise that financial circumstances can change unexpectedly. Speaking with your Care Manager or Services Australia provides information about applying for this assistance if your situation changes. 

Planning Across Quarters 

The quarterly budget system encourages planning across three-month periods rather than month-to-month. This longer timeframe can help you coordinate larger services or plan for periods when you know you’ll need additional support, such as during family holidays or seasonal changes that affect your health. 

Understanding your quarterly budget structure empowers you to make strategic decisions about your care, ensuring your funding supports your wellbeing throughout the year whilst providing flexibility for life’s unpredictable moments.