When you receive a Support at Home (SAH) package, the government allocates a set amount of funding each financial year. But what happens if you don't spend it all? Understanding the rules around unspent funds can help you get the most from your allocation and avoid losing money that's meant for your care.
How SAH Funding Works
Your annual SAH budget is divided into two parts: the cash component (which you control or your provider manages) and the accrual component (which builds up over time). Both are tied to your approved care level and your needs. Unlike some benefits that accumulate if unused, SAH funding operates on a financial-year cycle.
Unspent Funds Don't Roll Over
If you don't use your full allocation by 30 June each year, the unused portion does not carry over to the next financial year. This is a key difference from some other aged-care schemes. Once the financial year ends, any unspent cash balance resets, and you start fresh with your new annual allocation from 1 July.
Why This Matters for Your Planning
This rule means it's worth thinking ahead about your care needs. If you know you'll need extra services, allied health, equipment, additional hours, it's better to arrange them before the financial year ends. Waiting until after 30 June means you've effectively lost that funding. Self-managed packages give you more flexibility to adjust spending throughout the year, whereas fully-coordinated providers may have their own scheduling practices.
Accrual Balance: The Exception
While your cash balance doesn't roll over, your accrual balance (the amount set aside for future care costs) does carry forward. This is designed to help you manage unexpected needs or build up for larger expenses like equipment or intensive support periods. However, if your package is terminated, unspent accrual may not be fully returned to you, depending on the circumstances.
Tips to Use Your Funding Wisely
Review your care plan around May or June each year. Talk to your care coordinator or provider about any services you've been putting off, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, home modifications, or extra support hours. If you're self-managed, you have direct control and can approve spending quickly. If you're fully coordinated, raise the conversation early so your provider has time to arrange services.
Getting the Most From Your Budget
Remember that clinical care, nursing, allied health, and therapy, is 100% government-funded under SAH and doesn't draw on your package budget at all. This means your SAH funds can stretch further on non-clinical support like personal care, domestic help, and community access. When comparing providers, ask how they help you maximise your allocation and whether they proactively flag spending opportunities before year-end.
If you're unsure whether you're on track to use your full allocation, or if you want to explore what services might suit your needs, comparing providers side by side can help. Different providers offer different flexibility in how quickly they can arrange services, an important factor when you're working against a financial-year deadline.