What your classification budget actually pays for — and what doesn't reach care
Before a single hour of care is delivered, your provider deducts a care management fee from your quarterly budget. The legal cap is 10%. Some providers charge exactly that. Some charge more. The difference, at your classification, is significant.
Select your classification to see your quarterly budget and what each fee level costs you.
Under the Aged Care Rules 2025, care management fees are capped at 10% of your quarterly classification budget. A provider cannot legally charge more than this for care management, regardless of what a service agreement says.
How do I find out what percentage a provider charges?+
Ask every provider directly: "What is your total combined care management and administration fee, expressed as a percentage of my quarterly budget?" Get this in writing before signing. A provider that cannot give a clear percentage may be bundling fees in ways that obscure the real cost.
Can I switch if I find a lower-fee provider?+
Yes. Under the Aged Care Rules 2025, you can switch Support at Home providers at any time, for any reason. There are no exit fees. Your funding moves with you. Your new provider handles the transfer.
What if a provider charges more than the 10% cap?+
Charging above the 10% care management fee cap is a breach of the Aged Care Rules 2025, enforceable by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. You have the right to request a correction and, if refused, to switch providers without penalty.
Last updated: 13 June 2026. Classification budgets effective 1 November 2025 (Set B). Figures update annually on 1 July. Verify current rates at health.gov.au. This tool is for guidance only — not financial, legal, or medical advice.