Support at Home contributions: the means-test explained

Why you might be asked to contribute

Support at Home is partly subsidised by the Australian Government, but most recipients are asked to pay a means-tested contribution towards their care. The exact amount depends on your income, your assets, and which classification you've been assessed at.

There's no contribution for some services — and from 1 October 2026, personal care becomes free for everyone on Support at Home.

How the means-test works

Services Australia (not your provider) calculates your contribution based on the same income and asset test used for the Age Pension. There are three components:

1. Income test

Your adjusted assessable income is multiplied by a rate to determine the income-based contribution. The first dollar threshold (where you start contributing anything) is updated each March and September.

If you're already on the Age Pension or DSP, Services Australia already has your income on file.

2. Asset test

The value of your assets above the asset-test threshold is included. The family home is generally exempt from the asset test for Support at Home (unlike residential aged care, where it can be capped at a special threshold).

3. Combined contribution

The income- and asset-test contributions are combined, capped at a daily maximum (currently around $32.45 — verify the live number on Services Australia's website), and applied to your statement each fortnight.

Daily and lifetime caps

There are two caps that limit how much you can ever pay:

• Daily cap — your total daily contribution can't exceed the published Support at Home daily cap (around $32.45 in early 2026, indexed twice a year).
• Lifetime cap — the total of your contributions across your aged-care journey is capped at the published lifetime amount (around $76,000 in early 2026). Once you hit the lifetime cap, you don't pay any more contributions, ever — including if you later move into residential aged care.

The lifetime cap is per person, not per couple, and it counts contributions from all aged-care programs you've used.

When the means-test is reviewed

Services Australia reviews your contribution:

• Every 6 months automatically based on the income and asset data they hold.
• On request if your circumstances change significantly (e.g. you stop work, sell an asset, your partner passes away).

If your income or assets have dropped, request a review — don't wait six months. You can save thousands of dollars over the year.

Common confusions

"But my pension already covers some of this, right?"

Yes, the Age Pension is your income for the test, but it's also what funds the contribution — so it nets out. Many full-pensioners contribute very little, sometimes $0.

"My partner is still working — does that count?"

For singles, only your income/assets count. For couples, half of your combined income and assets is attributed to each partner.

"Will the family home count?"

For Support at Home (in-home care), the family home is generally exempt from the asset test. This is different from residential aged care, where the home is included up to a cap.

"Can I get this in writing before signing up?"

Yes. Ask Services Australia for an income and assets assessment before you receive your first statement. The assessment letter shows exactly what you'll contribute.

What to do if your contribution looks wrong

1. Cross-check the income and asset figures on your latest assessment letter against your actual financial position.
2. Call Services Australia on 1800 227 475 (the aged-care line) to request a review.
3. If you disagree with the outcome, lodge a review request in writing within 13 weeks.
4. OPAN (1800 700 600) can help you draft the review request.

Wayly's Contribution Estimator lets you plug in your income and assets to see an estimated daily contribution before you go through the formal Services Australia process.