As Australia prepares to transition to the new Support at Home Program, many people who currently receive help with gardening, cleaning, or other home maintenance tasks are wondering what this change will mean for them — especially when it comes to Support at Home Program gardening services.
At My Garden Therapy, we understand that your garden is more than just an outdoor space — it’s a place of peace, pride, and wellbeing. That’s why we want to help you understand how these government changes may affect your gardening services, and reassure you that we’re here to support you every step of the way.
What Is the Support at Home Program?
The Support at Home Program, due to replace the current Home Care Packages (HCP) and Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) systems, aims to simplify and improve how older Australians access care and assistance to live independently at home.
According to the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, the program is designed to:
- Make funding more flexible so that people can tailor supports to their needs;
- Streamline administration by merging several care programs into one; and
- Ensure everyone receives fair access to services that help them live well at home.
What’s Changing for Gardening Services?
The good news is that gardening remains an eligible support service under the new program. It falls within the category of “Everyday Living Supports”, which includes tasks like cleaning, meal preparation, and yard maintenance.
Here are the main changes that may affect gardening support:
Gardening Is Still Included
The government has confirmed that essential household tasks — including gardening — will continue to be funded under Support at Home. This ensures that older Australians can maintain safe, accessible outdoor areas around their homes.
No Service Hour Caps
Initial proposals to limit hours for cleaning and gardening have been removed. The Department of Health and Aged Care has confirmed that there will be no caps on gardening or domestic assistance services.
Co-Contributions May Apply
Because gardening is classified as an Everyday Living Support, there may be participant contributions for these services. This means you might pay a small portion of the cost, depending on your income and care needs.
Budget and Scheduling Changes
Funding will be managed quarterly under the new system, with limits on how much unspent funding can be carried over. This may affect how often gardening services can be scheduled, but your provider will help manage this transition.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you already receive gardening assistance through a Home Care Package, you’ll continue receiving this service. The government has committed to a “no worse off” guarantee, meaning you will not lose access or funding for your existing supports when the transition occurs.
The biggest difference is that you may have more flexibility to tailor your supports — for example, combining Support at Home Program gardening services with home maintenance, meal help, or other wellbeing supports under one streamlined plan.
To learn more about the Support at Home Program, click the following resources