Support at Home Program

Clear information. No jargon. No surprises.

What is the Support at Home Program?

Support at Home is a government-funded aged care program that helps older Australians remain independent and live safely in their own homes for as long as possible.

You choose your care provider, and government funding is used to support your daily living, health, and wellbeing needs, based on what you actually require — not a one-size-fits-all package.

Am I eligible ?

If you need help at home, you may be eligible.

If you want support understanding the process for yourself or a loved one, call us on 1300 180 888. We’ll explain your options clearly and help you through each step.

How the assessment works

Step 1: Contact My Aged Care

Call 1800 200 422. You’ll be asked questions about your health, mobility, and day-to-day support needs.

Step 2: In-home assessment

An Aged Care Assessor will visit you at home to determine:

• Whether you’re eligible
• The type and level of support you need under Support at Home
  

Step 3: Income assessment

If approved, Services Australia will assess your income and assets to determine whether you need to contribute to the cost of your care.

What level of care and funding is available?

Support at Home replaces the old four Home Care Package levels with a needs-based funding system that is more flexible and accurate.

How funding works

There are eight funding classifications, allowing care and funding to be matched more closely to your situation.

Your funding is based on:

• Your health and functional needs
• The type and frequency of services you require
• Changes in your condition over time
  

This means your care can be adjusted as your needs change, without waiting for a package upgrade or being stuck in a level that no longer suits you.

What does “grandfathered” mean?

If you were:

• Already receiving a Home Care Package
  
• On the national waiting list
  
• Or found eligible before the Support at Home changes
  

you are considered a grandfathered client.

This means:

• You automatically transition into Support at Home
  
• Your existing funding and care arrangements are protected
  
• You are covered by the government’s “no worse off” guarantee, meaning you won’t pay more than you would have under the old Home Care Package system
  

If you’re reassessed in the future, your care can change to match your needs, while your financial protections remain in place.

How do personal contributions work?

Personal contributions under Support at Home are not linked to funding levels. What you pay depends on:

• The type of service you receive
  
• Your income and assets (assessed by Services Australia)
  
• Whether you are a grandfathered client
  

Service categories

Clinical supports
Nursing and allied health services are fully government funded, with no personal contribution.

Independence supports
Personal care, mobility support, transport, social support, equipment, and home modifications. These may require a moderate contribution, depending on your financial situation.

Everyday living supports
Domestic assistance, gardening, shopping, and meal support usually attract a higher contribution, based on income and assets.

Full pensioners typically pay the least. Part-pensioners and self-funded retirees may pay more, up to government-set limits.

Protections for grandfathered clients

If you are grandfathered:

• Your existing contribution arrangements continue
  
• Your lifetime contribution caps remain unchanged
• Your costs will not increase simply because of the move to Support at Home

How much do I have to pay?

Here’s the straight answer:

• We do not charge Basic Daily Fees — many providers still do.
  This can save you up to $4,000 per year, leaving more of your funding for actual care.
• Some clients may need to pay an income-tested care contribution. This is:
  
  • Assessed by Services Australia
    
  • Set by the government
    
  • Compulsory if applicable and cannot be waived
    

My Aged Care also offers a free fee estimator so you can get a rough idea of costs before committing.

What services can I access?

Support at Home covers a wide range of services, including:

Personal care
Showering, bathing, toileting, dressing, grooming, and daily support.

Meals and nutrition
Meal preparation, assistance with eating, and support for special dietary needs.

Mobility and equipment
Mobility support, purchase or hire of aids, hoists, pressure mattresses, safety equipment, and training to use them safely.

Social support and transport
Transport to GP and allied health appointments, shopping, errands, social outings, and visits with family and friends.

Continence support
Assistance with continence aids, toileting, catheter care, and bowel care.

Allied health services
Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics, speech pathology, podiatry, and optometry.

Nursing and clinical care
Wound care, diabetes management, stoma care, enteral feeding, and other complex clinical needs.

Need help getting started?

Aged care doesn’t need to be complicated.

Call us on 1300 180 888 and we’ll help you understand your options, your funding, and how to get the most out of Support at Home — without wasting money on unnecessary fees.