Outline

This article explains:

• How the 12-month inactivity rule works under the Support at Home program.
• Whether you can keep your funding without actively receiving services.
• What happens if no services are delivered for 12 months.
• How Care Management can help maintain an active package.
• What happens to unspent funds.
• Practical steps for you to avoid losing funding.

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How Long Can You Keep Your Support at Home Funding Without Using Services?

With the introduction of Australia’s Support at Home (SaH) program on 1 November 2025, many participants have asked whether they can keep their funding if they are not yet ready to receive services.

The answer is generally yes, but there is an important rule regarding prolonged inactivity that you need to understand.

Is There a “Use It or Lose It” Rule?

Under the Support at Home transition arrangements, there is no immediate “use it or lose it” requirement.

You are not required to:

• spend a minimum amount each quarter;
• receive a minimum number of care hours; or
• regularly access direct care services to remain eligible.

However, there is an important inactivity rule that applies.

The 12-Month Inactivity Rule

Your funding may be withdrawn if you go 12 consecutive months without receiving any Support at Home service.

The 12-month period is measured from the last quarter in which a service was delivered.

If no eligible service is delivered during four consecutive quarters, your funding may be cancelled.

What Happens if Funding Is Withdrawn?

If funding is withdrawn due to inactivity, you cannot simply restart services.

Instead, you will generally need to contact My Aged Care to regain access to Support at Home funding.

Depending on your circumstances, this may involve:

• a Support Plan Review;
• a reassessment of care needs; or
• a new approval for services.

Because this process can take time, it is generally preferable to keep the package active.

What About Unspent Funds?

If you have transitioned from a Home Care Package (HCP) to Support at Home there are special transitional arrangements.

Pre-transition Home Care Package Funds

Any unspent Home Care Package funds held as at 31 October 2025 transferred across in full.

These funds can generally be used for:

• approved Support at Home services;
• assistive technology; and
• eligible home modifications.

Ongoing Quarterly Budgets

Once operating under Support at Home, unused quarterly funding can continue to roll over.

You may carry forward the greater of:

• $1,000, or
• 10% of your quarterly budget.

Amounts above these limits are generally returned to the Australian Government under the Support at Home funding rules.

Can Services Be Temporarily Paused?

Yes.

You can temporarily pause services for reasons such as:

• hospital admissions;
• holidays;
• temporary residential respite; or
• changes in personal circumstances.

Short-term pauses do not affect eligibility. The concern arises only when no services are delivered for 12 consecutive months.

Can Care Management Keep the Package Active?

In many cases, yes.

As a Support at Home provider, HomeWise Health is required to deliver at least one direct Care Management activity for each participant every month.

These activities are:

• documented in your record;
• claimed against the Care Management allocation; and
• included on your monthly statement.

Because Care Management is an approved Support at Home service, regular documented Care Management activities generally count as you receiving a service.

This helps to maintain activity on the package and prevents the 12-month inactivity period from being triggered.

HomeWise Health Responsibilities

Even if you are not receiving regular support services, HomeWise Health continues to have important responsibilities.

These include:

• issuing monthly statements;
• maintaining accurate Care Management documentation;
• monitoring inactivity periods; and
• keeping you informed about the potential consequences of prolonged inactivity.

Recommended Approach

If you are not yet ready to begin regular services, HomeWise Health can:

• confirm your current funding status with My Aged Care if required;
• review the Service Agreement;
• monitor any unspent funds;
• continue delivering and documenting eligible Care Management activities; and
• discuss whether a Support Plan Review is appropriate if your circumstances have changed.

Maintaining regular Care Management is often the simplest way to ensure your funding remains active until you are ready to access additional services.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my Support at Home package without using services?

Yes. There is no minimum number of hours or minimum amount you must spend. However, you must not go 12 consecutive months without receiving an eligible Support at Home service.

Is there a “use it or lose it” rule?

Not immediately. The key requirement is that at least one eligible service is delivered within every 12-month period.

What counts as receiving a service?

Eligible Support at Home services, including documented Care Management activities, generally count as service delivery.

Can Care Management alone keep my package active?

In most cases, yes. Regular Care Management activities that are delivered, documented and claimed through the Support at Home program generally satisfy the service delivery requirement.

What happens if I receive no services for 12 months?

Your funding may be withdrawn. To access Support at Home again, you will usually need to contact My Aged Care and may require a reassessment or Support Plan Review.

Can I pause services while I’m in hospital or on holiday?

Yes. Temporary pauses are permitted and do not affect your funding, provided the overall inactivity period does not exceed 12 months.

What happens to my unused funding?

Any Home Care Package funds that transferred into Support at Home on 1 November 2025 remain available under the transition arrangements. Ongoing quarterly budgets are subject to the normal rollover limits.

Does HomeWise Health still have responsibilities if I’m not receiving regular services?

Yes. HomeWise Health must continue to provide monthly statements, maintain appropriate documentation, monitor inactivity periods and deliver Care Management activities where applicable.

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Key Takeaways

• There is no immediate “use it or lose it” rule under Support at Home.
• You can temporarily pause services without losing your funding.
• Funding may be withdrawn after 12 consecutive months without receiving an eligible service.
• Care Management activities generally count as service delivery and can help keep your package active.
• HomeWise Health must document and claim Care Management correctly.
• Monthly will continue to be issued even if few or no direct services are being delivered.
• Home Care Package funds that transitioned into Support at Home remain available under the transition rules.
• Regular communication between you, HomeWise Health, and My Aged Care helps prevent unintended loss of funding.
• If funding is withdrawn, you will usually need to contact My Aged Care and may require a reassessment before services can recommence.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information based on the Australian Government’s Support at Home program settings at the time of publication. Individual circumstances may vary. Contact HomeWise Health or My Aged Care for advice specific to your situation.

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