Showering, Dressing and Personal Care Will Be Fully Funded Under Support at Home: What It Means for Older Australians

From 1 October 2026, eligible older Australians receiving Support at Home will no longer have to pay out-of-pocket for approved personal care services such as showering, dressing and non-clinical continence support.

This is important because personal care is not an optional extra. It can be the difference between staying clean, feeling safe, avoiding falls, maintaining dignity and continuing to live at home.

What is changing?

The Australian Government has confirmed that personal care will move into the clinical supports category under Support at Home, meaning it can be fully funded for people who have personal care approved in their support plan and have available Support at Home funding.

The change applies from 1 October 2026 and does not apply retrospectively to services delivered before then.

Why this matters

Personal care is often one of the first supports people need when living at home becomes harder. It may include help getting safely in and out of the shower, dressing, hygiene, continence routines or starting the day confidently.

When personal care is affordable and reliable, people are more likely to stay clean and comfortable, reduce falls risk, maintain routines, reduce pressure on family carers and remain living at home.

What it means for current consumers

If personal care is in your approved support plan, the change may reduce future out-of-pocket costs.

Three points matter:

• the change starts from 1 October 2026
• personal care must be approved in your support plan
• you still need available Support at Home funding for the service

It does not mean unlimited personal care is automatically available to everyone.

What it means for people applying in the future

If showering, dressing or continence support is becoming difficult, unsafe or stressful, raise it clearly during the assessment process. Do not minimise the need.

This may be particularly important for people becoming frailer, recovering after hospital, living alone, relying heavily on family carers, at risk of falls or struggling with continence.

This does not solve every problem in home care

Assessment delays, waiting lists and difficulty understanding available support remain. Fully funding personal care is one improvement, not a solution to every access problem.

What families should do now

Ask practical questions:

• Can the person shower safely?
• Are they avoiding showers because they feel unsteady?
• Is dressing becoming difficult?
• Is continence harder to manage?
• Is a family member providing personal care because paid support feels too expensive?

These can be signs that more formal support is needed.

The bottom line

Help with showering, dressing and continence care supports health, safety, independence and dignity. If personal care is needed, it should be clearly raised, assessed and included in the support plan where appropriate.