f you receive ongoing Support at Home funding, your annual budget is split into 4 quarterly budgets. Each quarterly budget covers 3 months of the year, and Services Australia releases ongoing budgets at the start of each quarter in July, October, January and April. Your budget includes government funding and, where applicable, your contributions.
At Careseekers, understanding your quarterly budget helps you plan support more clearly. It gives you a better sense of how much support you may be able to arrange, how often, and whether you want to use funded support only or combine it with private support. If your approved provider agrees, they can pay Careseekers directly for eligible services delivered through the platform. You can also use Careseekers for privately paid aged care support.
When is my quarterly budget released?
For ongoing classifications, Services Australia releases your budget at the start of each quarter:
- July
- October
- January
- April
If you enter Support at Home partway through a quarter, your first budget is pro-rated from the date you enter care to the end of that quarter. After that, you receive the full quarterly amount each quarter.
What makes up my quarterly budget?
Your quarterly budget is made up of:
- government funding
- your contributions, where applicable.
If you receive ongoing services, 10% of your quarterly budget is allocated to care management.
That means the funding level attached to your classification is not just for direct services. Part of it is already set aside for care management.
What if I need more support than my quarterly budget allows?
If your situation changes and you need more support than your budget can cover, you can request a reassessment. That reassessment may result in a higher Support at Home classification if your needs have changed.
You can also enter into a private agreement for extra services that are not covered by government funding.
Through Careseekers, that can mean:
- using your funded support through your provider where they agree
- adding privately paid support if you want extra help, more flexibility, or additional hours.
Can I carry over unspent funds?
Yes, but only up to a limit.
For ongoing services, unspent funds automatically carry over into the next quarter. The rollover amount is whichever is higher:
- $1,000
- 10% of your quarterly budget, inclusive of supplements.
That means the maximum amount available in a later quarter is your normal quarterly budget plus the allowed rollover amount.
What happens if I do not spend my full budget?
Sometimes you may not spend everything in a quarter. That is not always a problem. Unspent funds can help cover:
- changes in your needs
- unexpected support needs
- extra services later in the year.
But rollover is capped, so it still helps to understand your budget and plan support carefully.
Can I go over my quarterly budget?
Your Support at Home account cannot go into a negative balance. Services Australia will not pay providers for services if there is not enough funding in your budget. If extra services are delivered beyond the available funding, they either need to be:
- paid by you, if that was agreed in your service agreement
- or written off by the provider.
That is one reason it helps to keep a close eye on your quarterly budget before arranging extra support.
What if I am on interim funding?
If there is a delay in receiving full funding through the Support at Home Priority System, you may receive interim funding instead. Interim funding is 60% of your total funding so you can start the most important services first. The remaining 40% is allocated later when full funding becomes available. It is not backdated.
How do quarterly budgets work with Careseekers?
Your quarterly budget affects how much support you may be able to arrange, but it does not decide who provides that support.
Through Careseekers, you can:
- compare worker profiles
- view experience, availability and hourly rates
- choose the worker who best suits your needs
- arrange one-off, occasional or ongoing support.
If your approved provider agrees, they can pay Careseekers directly from your Support at Home funding for eligible services delivered through the platform. You can also use Careseekers for private aged care support if you want extra flexibility or extra hours outside your funded budget.
What should I check before arranging support?
Before you organise support, it helps to be clear on:
- your Support at Home classification
- your current quarterly budget
- whether your provider will pay through Careseekers
- what contribution you may need to make
- whether you want funded support only, or funded plus private support
- what kind of worker best suits your needs and routine.
Frequently asked questions
How often do I get my Support at Home budget?
If you are on an ongoing classification, your funding is split into 4 quarterly budgets released in July, October, January and April.
Do I get my whole annual budget at once?
No. You receive your funding in quarterly amounts, not as one full annual lump sum.
Does care management come out of my quarterly budget?
Yes. 10% of each quarterly budget is allocated to care management.
Can I carry over unused Support at Home funds?
Yes. For ongoing services, unspent funds automatically carry over to the next quarter up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget, whichever is greater.
What happens if I need more support than my budget allows?
You can request a reassessment if your needs change. You can also choose to privately pay for extra services if needed.
Can I go over my quarterly budget?
No. Your Support at Home account cannot go into a negative balance. If extra services are delivered, they either need to be privately paid where agreed or written off by the provider.
Can I use my quarterly budget with Careseekers?
Yes, in many cases. If your approved provider agrees, they can pay Careseekers directly for eligible services delivered through the platform.
Can I use Careseekers privately if my budget is not enough?
Yes. You can use Careseekers for private aged care support as well as eligible funded services.
What if I start Support at Home in the middle of a quarter?
Your first quarterly budget is calculated from the date you enter care to the end of that quarter. After that, you receive full quarterly budgets.
Ready to plan your support more clearly?
We make it easier to compare aged care workers, understand how support is arranged, and choose care that fits your needs and budget.
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