HomeCareCompassRules current as of 1 October 2026

Support at Home cost estimator

Answer three questions, add the services you’re considering, and see the weekly split between you and the government — calculated from the official July 2026 schedules. On CHSP and weighing up the switch? The compare mode puts both worlds side by side.

What do you want to work out?
When were they first approved for home care?

This decides which contribution rates apply. If they were receiving or approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024, protected rates apply.

Pension status

Services Australia uses this, with income and assets, to set the exact rate. Choosing ‘prefer not to say’ means maximum rates apply. Not on the Age Pension? What matters is your income, not whether you hold a Seniors Health Card: anyone whose income would pass the card’s income test is rated in the lower group, card or no card (Aged Care Rules, s314-40). The limit is $105,048 a year for a single person and $168,076 combined for a couple. If you could get a part pension but have not claimed one, choose part pension.

From the assessment outcome letter. Not assessed yet? Pick a middle level like 4 to start — you can compare later.

This estimator covers ongoing services only. If the approval is for the End-of-Life Pathway or the Restorative Care Pathway, the budget works differently (one amount for a set number of weeks, not a quarterly budget) and the figures below will not fit. The contribution rates still apply the same way. See our End-of-Life Pathway guide, or use the My Aged Care fee estimator, which has both pathways.

Weekly services

Prices start at the government’s published indicative medians — replace them with your provider’s price list when you have it.

Personal careClinical — always $0 to you
Domestic assistanceEveryday living
Nursing careClinical — always $0 to you
Estimate details — generated 7 October 2026. Approval: After 1 November 2025, or not yet. Pension status: Full Age Pension. Classification 4 ($7,632/quarter)
Your estimated share each week
$38.50 of $745.00/week in services
Government pays $706.50You pay $38.50
Quarterly budget $7,632 · care management $763 · usable $6,869. These services may exceed the quarterly budget by up to $2,816 — worth discussing with the provider.

Service by service (weekly)

Personal careyou pay $0.00
Domestic assistanceyou pay $38.50
Nursing careyou pay $0.00
  • Estimates only — Services Australia determines actual contribution rates.
  • Budgets shown are the government schedule in force on the service date: the 1 July 2026 amounts for services before 1 October 2026, and the 1 October 2026 amounts from then on (verified 30 Sep 2026).
  • Former prisoners of war and Victoria Cross recipients pay no contribution on any service (Aged Care Rules 2025, s314-10). This estimator does not apply that rule — if it covers you, your contribution is $0.
  • Provider prices vary; enter your provider’s published price list for accuracy.

The rates and budgets here were checked against the My Aged Care fee estimator on 7 October 2026. If your Services Australia letter, or the government estimator, gives a different figure, please tell me at hello@homecarecompass.com.au so I can check it and correct it.

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  • Scenario comparison — your plan as entered, and the same plan at lower- and higher-cost providers
  • How your contribution rates are set, in plain language — caps, deeming, carryover and your rights
  • A provider-meeting checklist of the ten questions worth asking before you sign

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