But here’s the reality: while the legislation takes effect on 1 July, the operational rollout won’t happen all at once. The change will land gradually – with ambiguity, pressure, and moments where clarity is missing.
“The July 1 timeline isn’t a farce — but we know it’s going to take time to bed this in,” says Luke Goodfellow, Executive Director at Care Systems. “This isn’t about doing everything at once. It’s about doing the right things at the right time.”
We’re in it too – and here’s what we know today
Let’s be honest: there are still unknowns.
Some data won’t be available until July. Some decisions are still being finalised by government. And there are features — like claim file structures and subsidy processing — that remain in flux.
We’re in it with you.
But despite the moving parts, there are several things you can do right now that will set you up for a smoother transition. And that’s what this guide is all about.
Phase 1: What You Need to Do Before July 1
These are your foundation activities. Getting these done in May and June gives you room to breathe during the transition month.
| Task | Why It Matters |
| Establish ACWS Connection | Without ACWS (Aged Care Web Services), you won’t be able to receive budgets or client classifications. Furthermore, we’re looking to use the ACWS to access as much data from Services Australia as is available to make claiming and client billing more streamlined. |
| Review & Load Updated Service Rates | With care and package management fees no longer claimable, your new pricing must be viable. |
| Disable Care/Package Management Fees from 30 June | Ensure these aren’t accidentally billed in July. We recommend using system end dates now. |
“Get your June plan 100% accurate,” Luke stresses. “That’s where your clients’ Support at Home funding will start and mistakes here ripple forward.”
Phase 2: What Happens During July
Think of July as your buffer month. Claims aren’t live yet. This is the time to double-check setup, let the data settle, and avoid making changes that can’t be undone.
| Task | What to Know |
| IMPORTANT! Finalise June Claims |
This is your last chance to reconcile unspent funds. These balances will feed directly into SaH. |
| Do NOT post purchases to the ledger | We’re implementing a system restriction to prevent entries into CDC ledgers in July. |
| Hold off on claiming for the July period. | Claims via SaH won’t begin until August. |
| Review ACWS Data | You’ll start seeing client classifications populate via web services. It’s important to check for accuracy. |
| Complete Service Type Mapping (Template Level) | Link your services to SaH Service Identifiers. No need to rush. We recommend late July for this task. |
“The first few weeks of July are about breathing room,” says Luke. “It gives everyone a chance to finish June properly and get ready without panic. As Servcies Australia are treating July as set up month, the first Support at Home claim for July should be made for the month at the end of July.”
Phase 3: From August Onward — Go Time
Once the data is flowing and claims are live, it’s time to fully transition into Support at Home operations.
| Task | Action |
| Make Your First SaH Claim | The new claiming screen will go live in early August. |
| Resume Ledger Activity | Once ACWS data is confirmed, ledgers can be safely updated. |
Quick Reference: Action Plan by Timeline
| When | What to Do |
| Now – June | Connect to ACWS, update pricing, disable old fees. |
| July | IMPORTANT! Finalise June claims, Pause ledger activity, review ACWS data, map service types at template level. |
| August | Claim, update ledgers, implement new purchase workflows. |
Need Support?
We know this is a big shift. That’s why our team is walking every client through it – step by step.
If you’re unsure where to start, or want to review your current configuration, please reach out to your Care Systems Implementation Lead or contact our support team at support@caresystems.com.au.
