Last reviewed 27 October 2026 by the AppliQ Team. Check the sources below for the latest rules.
Rates by service type
Services Australia assesses each participant's rate. From 1 October 2026, personal care is fully government funded.
| Participant | Clinical supports | Independence | Everyday living |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full pensioner | 0% | 5% | 17.5% |
| Part pensioner or CSHC holder | 0% | 5% to 50% | 17.5% to 80% |
| Self-funded retiree | 0% | 50% | 80% |
The no worse off rule
People who were receiving or approved for a Home Care Package on 12 September 2024 pay no more than they would have under the old arrangements: 0%, 25% or between 0% and 25% depending on their pension status.
Lifetime cap
Contributions stop once a participant reaches the lifetime cap: $140,652.80, or $88,934.57 for people under the no worse off rule, as at 20 September 2026. Care management is never charged a contribution.
Worked example
A part pensioner assessed at 20% for independence services has one hour of personal care and one hour of domestic assistance a week. From 1 October 2026 the personal care costs them nothing, and they pay their everyday living rate on the domestic assistance.
How Care Nexus helps
Care Nexus works out each participant's contribution and invoices it for you.
- Each service carries its contribution category: clinical supports, independence or everyday living.
- Care Nexus creates each participant's contribution invoice automatically from the services delivered, at their individual rate. Once you've reviewed it, it's sent to the participant automatically.
- Category changes take effect from their start date, such as personal care becoming fully government funded from 1 October 2026.
- Progress towards the lifetime cap and the grandfathered fortnightly cap is tracked, and contributions stop once a cap is reached.