Government extends deadline for first Support at Home claims
Listening to industry concern, the Department of Health Disability and Ageing, has given providers an extra 30 days to submit their first claims under the new in-home aged care program.
Providers will now have until 31 March 2026 to submit claims for services delivered under Support at Home between 1 November 2025 to 31 December 2025 - without the usual requirement for "late-claim documentation".
The extension is a "transitional measure", only applying to the first month's claims.
"Please be advised," the Department advice states, "the regular 60-day claiming period will remain in place for all subsequent quarters."
Providers "anxious"
The extension has been granted after Catholic Health Australia (CHA) told the Government providers were "anxious" about meeting the 28 February 2026 deadline, Alex Lynch, Director of Aged Care CHA, told The Weekly SOURCE.
They sought flexibility around technical compliance to allow operators to focus primarily on delivering care.
CHA is well placed to judge sector readiness - it is Australia's largest non-Government, Not For Profit health, community and aged care organisation, with 12% of all aged care homes and 20% of home care services.
Alex said providers have raised concerns with them about the administrative pressures of implementing the new Aged Care Act, including Support at Home.
Support at Home was introduced on 1 November 2025 to replace the Government's Home Care Packages program. Providers are required for the first time to submit claims for services delivered through Services Australia.
Prices, service lists, and systems are all new. Not all providers were able to test their systems with Services Australia before the changes went live, and not all systems were ready prior to 1 November 2025.
"This is a welcome and pragmatic decision by the Government during a period of significant reform," said Alex. "Extending the first quarter deadline to 90 days gives providers breathing room.
"Providers will continue to monitor implementation of the Support at Home program and work collaboratively with the Government if further adjustments are needed."
The Support at Home Program Manual won't be updated, due to the extension's one-off nature.
More information about Support at Home payments is available here.
