Redesigning Home Care: Preparing Your Organisation for the Support at Home Program

As Australia’s aged care reforms accelerate, home care providers must adapt to the changing landscape. The upcoming Support at Home program marks a major shift in how aged care is funded, delivered, and regulated. It’s more than just a policy change-it’s a complete redesign of home care service models, pricing structures, workforce expectations, and participant engagement.

1. Understand Key Aged Care Reforms and Funding Changes

Over the next 12 months, significant aged care reforms will impact the sector. Key changes include:

  • Implementation of the Support at Home program
  • Updated Aged Care Quality Standards, with stronger focus on governance and consumer outcomes
  • New funding models that incentivise reablement, flexibility, and measurable outcomes

Staying informed on these shifts is essential for aligning your services with future regulatory and funding expectations.

2. Review and Redesign Your Home Care Service Model

To prepare for the future of aged care, assess your current home care delivery model:

  • Are your services flexible, participant-centred, and outcomes-focused?
  • Do your systems support reablement and restorative care?
  • Are clinical and non-clinical responsibilities clearly defined?

A diagnostic review helps identify service gaps, compliance risks, and opportunities for improvement in a reform-ready environment.

3. Optimise Workforce Structures for the New Model of Care

The Support at Home program requires a skilled, agile workforce. Consider:

  • Clear role definitions for care workers, care managers, and allied health professionals
  • Transition to a billable hour model with outcome accountability
  • Training in reablement, palliative care, and recognising deterioration
  • Evidence of workforce capability in common ageing conditions

A future-ready workforce structure must meet regulatory requirements and support consistent, compassionate care delivery.

4. Build an Actionable Home Care Redesign Plan

Transformation requires structure. Your implementation plan should include:

  • Targeted workforce training and capability development
  • Redefined roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines
  • Engagement strategies to build staff ownership and reduce resistance

A step-by-step redesign roadmap ensures that change is strategic, sustainable, and well-communicated across teams.

5. Address Legal, HR, and Industrial Relations Requirements

When redesigning your workforce or service model, it’s vital to remain compliant with legal and industrial frameworks:

  • Understand relevant awards, enterprise agreements, and Fair Work obligations
  • Plan for redeployment, consultation, and change management protocols
  • Incorporate risk mitigation strategies to protect your staff and your organisation
  • Engage legal and HR experts early to ensure all transitions are lawful and fair.

6. Lead Change with Purpose and Confidence

Effective change in aged care requires strong leadership:

  • Share a clear vision for the redesign and communicate often
  • Create safe spaces for staff feedback and collaboration
  • Balance operational change with a consistent focus on quality of care

Change is most successful when your team feels empowered and supported.

7. Use Practical Tools to Support Implementation and Monitoring

Operationalise your redesign with structured, easy-to-use tools:

  • Home care workforce planning templates
  • Service redesign checklists aligned to aged care reforms
  • Progress tracking dashboards to monitor implementation and outcomes

These resources help maintain accountability and measure success across each phase of change.

Transforming Your Home Care Model with LPA

The home care sector is on the brink of significant change. By proactively redesigning services now, you position your organisation to thrive under the new Support at Home program. The key lies in informed planning, workforce engagement, and a firm commitment to delivering care that is participant-led, outcome-driven, and future-focused.

At LPA, we support home care providers in navigating the complexities of the aged care sector. Our expert consultants provide:

  • Guidance on redesigning your home care model to meet the Support at Home Program requirements and the Strengthened Aged Care Standards.
  • Strategies for staff training and clinical governance.
  • Expert advice on regulatory compliance and quality improvement.
  • Innovative solutions for service delivery and growth.

With the Support at Home Program and Strengthened Standards shaping the future, now is the time to create a care model that prioritises client outcomes, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency.

Contact us today to learn how we can support your journey to readiness for the Support at Home Program. Let’s work together to ensure your organisation thrives in this new era of aged care.

Get in touch with the LPA Team

Contact the LPA team below to discuss how we can support your organisation.