When the aged care sector shifts, providers feel it first. That was the clear message at the Associated Provider Briefing Session, hosted by Northern Health Support at Home in September 2025. Platinum Health Supply joined other providers to hear how the upcoming Support at Home Program will reshape in‑home care and what it means for the organisations delivering services on the ground.

What Providers Need to Know

A New Program, A New Reality

From 1 November 2025, the familiar Home Care Packages (HCP) program will transition into the Support at Home Program. For providers, this isn’t just a name change. It’s a shift in how funding flows, how services are defined, and how compliance is measured. The government’s aim is clear: more transparency, more accountability, and more consistency across the sector.

Funding and Co‑Contributions

Participants will now receive funding in quarterly allocations, with eight new classifications guiding service levels. For providers, this means sharper planning and closer monitoring of budgets. Importantly, anyone assessed after 12 September 2024 will be required to co‑contribute to the cost of services (excluding clinical care). Everyday living and independence services — like domestic care, gardening, meals, and transport — will now involve client contributions, which may change how providers communicate value and pricing.

Assistive Technology and Home Modifications

The new Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT‑HM) Scheme will be funded separately, removing the need for clients to save package funds for equipment or modifications. While this is a win for participants, providers will need to navigate a new approval process and ensure clients use their funding within the 12‑month window.

Pricing, Invoicing, and Evidence

Northern Health outlined significant changes to billing and compliance:

• Every service instance must be itemised and invoiced within 14 days.
• Only face‑to‑face time can be billed for services like allied health, gardening, and direct care.
• Proof of service delivery is now mandatory, from digital check‑ins to signed confirmations or photos of completed work.

For providers, this means systems and staff training will need to be watertight. Missed details could mean delayed payments or compliance risks.

GPMS Registration

From November 2025, all providers must be registered on the Government Provider Management System (GPMS). Northern Health will handle registration for its associated providers, but organisations must be ready to supply accurate business and service details.

Aged Care Act 2024: Raising the Bar

The new Aged Care Act 2024 and its rules will govern all service delivery. For providers, this means aligning with:

• The Statement of Rights, which enshrines independence, dignity, and culturally safe care.
• The Aged Care Code of Conduct, which sets clear expectations for behaviour, accountability, and safety.
• Strengthened Quality Standards, which sharpen requirements across seven key outcomes, from clinical care to food and nutrition.

Providers will need to ensure staff are trained, records are kept, and breaches are reported immediately. Compliance isn’t optional. It’s central to maintaining trust and accreditation.

Platinum Health Supply’s Perspective

For Platinum Health Supply, attending the briefing wasn’t just about listening. I. It was about preparing. These reforms will reshape how providers operate, and we’re committed to being more than a supplier. Our role as a medical supplies store is to help providers stay compliant, efficient, and focused on what matters most: delivering safe, dignified care.

That’s why we’re investing in:

• Bulk delivery solutions that ensure providers never run short of essential supplies.
• Transparent, reliable pricing that makes it easier to manage co‑contribution conversations with clients.
• Supportive communication that helps providers navigate compliance requirements with confidence.

As the sector moves into this new era, Platinum Health Supply is here to stand alongside providers — not just as a vendor, but as a partner in care.

If you’d like to discuss how we can support your organisation through the Support at Home transition, visit our Epping showroom at Unit 2/51 Trafalgar Road, Epping VIC 3076 (open Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm) or explore our full range online.