Support at Home is coming: What meal providers need to know

From 1 November, the new Support at Home program will replace Home Care Packages, introducing important changes for meal providers delivering to older Australians. A new Meal Obligation will set national standards around nutrition, assessment and feedback.

A simpler, stronger system for aged care

On 1 November 2025, the Australian Government will replace the current Home Care Package (HCP) program with Support at Home, a major reform designed to make in-home aged care easier to navigate, more consistent in quality, and better aligned with older Australians' needs.

Over time, Support at Home will also absorb the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), creating a unified system and significantly increasing the number of older Australians eligible for subsidised services, including meals.

A growing opportunity for meal providers

As demand for home-delivered, government-subsidised meals grows, food businesses are uniquely positioned to meet this need. Ready-made meal providers who serve older Australians will play a critical role in supporting health, independence and wellbeing in the home.

But with this expanded opportunity comes greater responsibility. Support at Home introduces a new Meal Obligation that all providers must meet when delivering Commonwealth-funded meals.

Understanding the Meal Obligation

The Meal Obligation sets a clear standard for meal providers who deliver to older people under Support at Home. It includes three core requirements:

1. Meals must be appropriate

This means meals should meet the nutritional needs and dietary requirements of people aged 65 and over.

2. Meals must be assessed by an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD)

An APD must review meals to ensure they are both nutritious and appetising.

3. There must be a way for customers to give feedback

Meal Providers will be expected to have a feedback system in place - such as phone calls, surveys or in-person conversations- to support continuous improvement.

What else is changing?

The Department of Health & Aged Care has indicated that a provider registration process will also form part of Support at Home, though further detail is expected in the coming months.

We’re keeping a close eye on these developments and will continue to share updates as they are released.

How Cookaborough is supporting the transition

Cookaborough powers over 100 local ready-made meal businesses across Australia, many of whom already deliver to HCP recipients.

We’re actively building the platform features, partnerships and support services needed to help meal providers thrive under Support at Home. That includes enabling compliance with the Meal Obligation, simplifying dietitian reviews, and ensuring customer feedback is easy to collect and manage.

We’ll continue to provide updates as we receive more detail from the government

Takeaway

Support at Home will reshape in-home aged care from 1 November 2025. For meal providers, this means both a growing market and new responsibilities.

Cookaborough is leading the way, helping food businesses adapt, comply and succeed under the new system.