Elderly lady getting her hair brushed by a carer

Personal Care Changes Under Support at Home: What You Need to Know

May 7, 2026 | Grace Sunley | Blog, Home Care Packages

Personal Care plays an important role in helping older Australians continue living safely and confidently in their own homes.

And from 1 October 2026, there is an important change to how Personal Care is funded under Support at Home.

Personal Care services have moved from the Independence contribution category to the Clinical Supports contribution category. This means eligible Support at Home participants no longer pay a client contribution towards approved Personal Care services.

For older people and their families, it can make accessing a little extra help with everyday routines easier.

Just as importantly, Personal Care isn’t about taking away independence.

The right support can help you keep it.

What Does Personal Care Include?

When people hear the words Personal Care, they often immediately think about assistance with showering.

But Personal Care can cover much more.

Depending on your assessed needs and individual care plan, support may include:

Showering or bathing
Dressing and undressing
Grooming and hair care
Shaving
Oral and denture care
Toileting and continence support
Skin care
Getting safely in and out of bed
Assistance with morning and evening routines
Mealtime assistance
Assistance with self-administration of medication

The Australian Government’s definition of Personal Care includes support with daily activities such as showering, dressing, eating, personal hygiene, non-clinical continence management and assistance with self-administration of medication.

A Little Help Can Make a Big Difference

Needing some assistance doesn’t necessarily mean someone needs another person to take over.

Personal Care can be tailored around what you are still able and want to do for yourself.

You might be perfectly comfortable showering independently but feel safer knowing someone is nearby. You may only need a helping hand getting dressed, assistance getting in or out of bed, or some support with your morning routine.

For someone else, more hands-on assistance may be appropriate.

At Home Care Assistance Sydney East, we believe Personal Care should always be provided in a way that encourages independence, dignity, choice and control.

You remain at the centre of your care.

What’s Changed From 1 October 2026?

Previously, Personal Care was treated as an Independence service for participant contribution purposes under Support at Home.

From 1 October 2026, Personal Care has moved to the Clinical Supports contribution category.

As a result, participants no longer pay a contribution for Personal Care delivered from this date, provided they are approved for Personal Care in their support plan and have available Support at Home funding. Personal Care continues to be funded from the participant’s available Support at Home budget.

The change relates to the participant contribution arrangements. The Government has confirmed that the scope of Personal Care, eligibility and approval requirements, and the way Personal Care is delivered have not changed.

Why Personal Care Matters

Personal Care isn’t simply about completing everyday tasks.

Feeling clean, comfortable and confident can have an enormous impact on how we feel about ourselves and how we approach our day.

Having appropriate support can also make everyday routines safer and more manageable.

Importantly, regular Personal Care visits give Care Workers an opportunity to get to know the person they are supporting.

This can help them recognise when something seems different, such as changes in:

Balance or mobility
Skin condition
Continence
Pain or discomfort
Energy levels
Eating and drinking
The amount of assistance needed with usual routines

At Home Care Assistance, our Care Workers follow each client’s individual care plan and report changes or concerns so they can be appropriately followed up.

Maintaining Dignity and Choice

Receiving assistance with personal activities can understandably feel quite vulnerable.

That’s why we believe Personal Care should never feel like something that is simply done to you.

Your preferences matter.

Whether it’s how you like to get ready in the morning, what assistance you’re comfortable receiving or which parts of your routine you’d prefer to continue doing yourself, good Personal Care should respect your choices.

Our Care Workers are there to provide the support you need while encouraging you to continue doing what you safely can for yourself.

When Might Personal Care Help?

Sometimes the signs that a little extra support could help are quite subtle.

Perhaps getting ready in the morning is taking much longer than it used to. Showering may leave you feeling tired, getting in and out of bed might be becoming more difficult, or you may feel less confident on your feet in the bathroom.

You don’t necessarily need to wait until you can no longer manage these activities independently.

Introducing the right level of support earlier can help you continue your usual routines with greater confidence.

No Client Contribution for Approved Personal Care

The change introduced on 1 October 2026 means eligible Support at Home participants can now receive approved Personal Care without an out-of-pocket participant contribution.

If you already receive Personal Care, or you’re wondering whether it could help you or someone you care about, this is a good opportunity to discuss your needs with your Care Partner.

And if you’re just beginning your aged care journey, our Sydney East team can help you understand Personal Care, Support at Home and the options available to you.