By Steve Hadfield, AgedCareActionPlan.au · Last updated: 26 April 2026
Until 30 June 2026, providers set their own prices with no government maximum. From 1 July, they cannot exceed the cap for any service — and cannot add anything on top. If your provider's prices change, you must be notified and you must agree. This is your window to check what you're currently paying and what changes before July.
The price cap announcement is significant because it changes the fundamental dynamic of provider pricing. Under the current arrangement, providers publish their prices but can set them at whatever level they choose. A survey of over 300 providers in early 2025 found the national median price for personal care was approximately $100 per hour — with individual providers ranging well above and below that.
From 1 July 2026, that variability has a ceiling. Use the service agreement checker to find out what your provider is currently charging across each service type — so you have a baseline to compare once the specific cap amounts are published.
The Australian Government, advised by the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA), sets a maximum price for each service in the Support at Home service list.
Providers cannot charge above the cap
Whatever price a provider sets, it cannot exceed the government maximum for that service. No exceptions, no surcharges.
The cap price is all-inclusive
The capped price must cover everything: the service itself, travel time, administrative costs, and overheads. Providers cannot charge the cap price and then add separate items on top.
Providers still set their own prices
The cap is a ceiling, not a fixed rate. Providers can charge less than the cap — and competition between providers should encourage this. The cap prevents overcharging; it does not create a uniform price.
Self-managed participants are also covered
If you are self-managing your Support at Home funding and using independent workers, the caps still apply. Independent support workers must set their prices within the government caps.
The government has confirmed that gardening and cleaning services will not have price caps under Support at Home. These services fall within the Everyday Living category. All other services — clinical care (nursing, allied health), independence services (personal care, transport), and home modifications — are subject to the caps.
If a significant portion of your care plan involves cleaning or gardening services, the July 2026 caps may not reduce those costs. Check your current pricing for these services separately and compare providers if the current rate seems high.
The price caps are the most significant new protection arriving in July, but several protections already apply right now under the Aged Care Rules 2025 and the Aged Care Act 2024.
Your provider cannot charge more than 10% of your quarterly budget for care management. For Classification 3 ($5,479.94 per quarter), the maximum is $547.99. If you are being charged more, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
Providers cannot charge you a fee to start services or to leave. If your current service agreement mentions exit fees, those clauses are unenforceable under the Aged Care Act 2024.
Since 1 November 2025, providers cannot charge separate travel fees, administrative fees, or surcharges on top of their service prices. The hourly rate must include everything.
Providers must publish their full price list on their website and on the My Aged Care Service and Support Portal. If a provider cannot immediately provide their price list in writing, that is a compliance concern.
Your provider cannot change what they charge without notifying you and receiving your agreement. Check your service agreement for the price review clause — it should specify how much notice the provider must give.
Check what you are currently paying per service
Look at your most recent monthly statement and your service agreement. Note the hourly rate for each service type — personal care, cleaning, nursing, transport. The statement decoder tool at agedcareactionplan.au/statement-decoder translates every line into plain English.
Check your service agreement's price review clause
Find the section of your service agreement that covers price changes. It should state how much notice your provider must give and whether prices update automatically on a specific date. If the agreement is silent on this, ask your provider in writing how they will handle the July transition.
Ask your provider directly what their post-July prices will be
Call or email your provider and ask: "How will the July 2026 price caps affect my service prices? Will any of my hourly rates change?" Get the answer in writing. Providers must discuss pricing changes with participants before they take effect.
Compare providers if your current prices are high
If your provider's current prices are significantly above the national median, consider comparing alternatives now — before the caps are in force. You can change providers at any time without exit fees under the Aged Care Act 2024.
Check the IHACPA website for cap announcements
The specific cap amounts will be published by the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority ahead of 1 July 2026. Check health.gov.au for announcements. This page will be updated when specific cap figures are released.
Until 30 June 2026, providers can adjust their prices — but they must give you notice and you must agree. You are not required to accept a price increase you believe is unreasonable.
"Thank you for the notice about the upcoming price change. Before I agree, I'd like to understand the reason for the increase and how it compares to the indicative prices published by the government. Can you provide that comparison in writing? I'd also like to understand what will happen to my prices in July when the government caps come into effect."
If your provider is not able to explain their pricing clearly, or if you suspect they are charging above current limits, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or use the escalation ladder to raise a formal concern.
Specific cap amounts have not yet been published as of the date of this guide (26 April 2026). This page will be updated when IHACPA cap figures are released. Source: Department of Health and Aged Care.
Use the service agreement checker to find out what your provider is currently charging — and whether anything needs to change in July.
From 1 July 2026, the government sets maximum prices for each service. Providers cannot exceed these caps or add surcharges. Caps are all-inclusive — travel and admin must be included. Specific cap amounts will be published at health.gov.au ahead of 1 July 2026.
Your provider must notify you of any price changes and you must agree. If your agreement includes a price review clause, it may update automatically. If not, expect written notice. You are not required to accept prices you don't agree with.
Depends on what your provider currently charges. If they're above the cap, they must reduce prices. If they're at or below it, nothing changes. Check your current service agreement hourly rates and compare once the cap amounts are published.
No. The government has confirmed there will be no price caps on gardening and cleaning services under Support at Home. All other services — personal care, nursing, transport, allied health — are subject to the caps.
Care management is already capped at 10% of your quarterly budget (Aged Care Rules 2025). No entry or exit fees (Aged Care Act 2024). Providers must publish all-inclusive prices with no separate travel or admin charges. If your provider is charging above these limits, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
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This guide is for information only — not legal, medical, or financial advice. Verified against the Aged Care Act 2024 and Aged Care Rules 2025. Check myagedcare.gov.au for current rates and rules.