Half-priced aged care at home sounds like a bargain. Here’s why it isn’t

August 12, 2026 — 5:01am

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For self-funded retirees, Support at Home can offer substantial savings, with government funding ranging from about $11,000 to $78,000 a year, depending on your assessed needs. But the value of that funding depends on how you use it – understanding where the savings are, and where they aren’t.

It’s tempting to look at the contribution rates and assume that paying 50 per cent or 80 per cent of a service must be cheaper than paying for it privately. But there’s a simple question you should always ask when someone gives you a percentage: per cent of what?

Support at Home divides services into three categories, each with different contribution rates. Clinical care, including nursing and allied health services, attracts no co-contribution regardless of your income or assets.

Whether you’re a full pensioner or a self-funded........

© Brisbane Times