Support at Home Program

How has the My Aged Care assessment process changed?

Previously, there were different assessment pathways. This meant that assessments were not always consistent, and older Australians had to move between assessment organisations as their needs changed.

The new Single Assessment System offers a clear assessment pathway, so you won’t have to change assessment organisations as your needs change, and you’ll only need to tell your story once.

The new system will make it easier to get assessed, especially if you’re living in regional and remote areas, and will reduce wait times for everyone.

This means you’ll be able to access the care you need when you need it.

What ongoing home care services will I be able to access?

Support at Home will help you live comfortably and independently in your own home. Depending on your aged care assessment and eligibility, you’ll have access to a variety of services, and we’ll support you in choosing the right ones within your budget.

Supports include:

• Clinical care – including nursing, occupational therapy, and continence care.
• Independence – such as help with showering, dressing, taking medications, transport, or respite care.
• Everyday living – assistance with cleaning, gardening, shopping, or meal preparation.

As part of the Support at Home program, you can always adjust the services you’re receiving to better meet your needs. We’ll work with you to ensure everything is tailored to you.

What if my support needs change?

Support at Home will offer eight ongoing service classifications, each with an allocated budget for you to use to access services. If your needs change over time, you can ask to be re-assessed.

Short-term care pathways:

Support at Home also offers short-term support pathways that will help you maintain your independence and stay connected with your community, including:

• A Restorative Care Pathway which will help you maintain and improve your independence through access to multidisciplinary allied health services. The Restorative Care Pathway will offer access to up to 12 weeks of care to help maintain and improve your independence, as well as funding for therapies and health services.
• An End-of-Life Pathway that provides dedicated funding for extra services in the final three months of your life, allowing you to remain at home at this time.

Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme:

The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme will make it easier for you to access products, equipment, technology and/or home modifications that support your independence and safety at home.

What will I pay for my Support at Home services?

As with Home Care Packages, you’ll contribute based on your income and assets. There will be moderate costs for help with personal care and equipment, and higher costs for household help such as cleaning and gardening. The good news is that clinical support and care will be fully funded which means you won’t pay a cent for services such as nursing and physiotherapy.

How will funding for Support at Home services be allocated?

• Ongoing services:

When you’re assessed for aged care services, you’ll receive a classification based on your needs. This will determine the ongoing services you can receive.

You’ll be allocated a quarterly budget for these services which you and your provider can manage together. If you don’t use all of your budget within the quarter, you can carry over unspent funds of up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget (whichever is greater) to the next quarter.

• Assistive technology and home modifications:

Following your assessment you’ll also receive notice of approval and a budget for any short-term pathways, assistive technology and/or home modifications you can access.

The assistive technology and home modifications budget is not considered part of your quarterly budget, and you’ll be able to use it over a longer period.

Care Management:

The provider who delivers your services will also provide a care manager to help you plan and coordinate your services. Your care manager will check in regularly to ensure you are being well supported and offer clinical advice, practical support and education to address any issues that arise.

10% of your quarterly budget will be reserved with your provider to cover the cost of care management. This amount will stay the same, even if you have a self-management arrangement in place with your provider.

Self-Management:

You can choose to self-manage your care and services if you wish. This needs to be arranged in agreement with your service provider.

How do I transition to Support at Home?

If you’re already receiving, or have been approved for a Home Care Package, you’ll automatically move to the Support at Home program on 1 July 2025 with the same level of care.

If you’re receiving support from the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, you will move to Support at Home by 1 July 2027.

Will I be worse off under the new system?

If you were already receiving a Home Care Package, on the National Priority System or assessed as eligible for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024 you will be no worse off under Support at Home, and your financial contribution will be the same or lower than they were under the Home Care Packages program.

How do I get started?

The first step to accessing government-funded aged care services is to check if you’re eligible for an assessment. You can do this easily online at My Aged Care or by calling 1800 200 422.

If you’re eligible, you’ll be referred for an assessment, which will take place in your own home.

Once you’re approved for the Support at Home program, you’ll receive a notice advising the level of care you have been approved to receive, and an individual support plan to share with your provider.

This plan will include:

• A summary of your aged care needs and goals
• A classification with a quarterly budget and a list of your approved services
• Approval and budget for any short-term supports such as Assistive technology, Home modifications, Restorative Care Pathway (such as intensive allied health services), or End-of-Life Pathway.

If you’re already receiving services through the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program, you’ll automatically transition to the Support at Home program and keep the same funding for services.

If you’re on the National Priority System waiting for a Home Care Package, you’ll automatically receive a Support at Home classification when a spot becomes available – you won’t need to be reassessed unless your needs change.