Waiting for government-funded help at home can feel slow and frustrating. Whether you are on the waitlist for Support at Home (previously Home Care Packages) or receiving some services through CHSP, weeks can turn into months.
During that time, life does not stand still. Health conditions change. Carers get tired. Support that was “enough” a few months ago may no longer be safe or sustainable.
Here, we explain what to do if your care needs change while you are waiting, and how to ask for your situation to be looked at again.
Why Changes in Needs Matter
The level of support you are approved for is based on the information available at the time of your My Aged Care assessment. If:
- Your health has worsened
- You are finding daily tasks much harder
- A family carer is no longer able to help the way they were
Then your original assessment may no longer reflect your true needs. Being proactive about this is important if your goal is to stay at home safely.
Step 1: Start Keeping Simple Notes
You do not need a perfect diary, but short notes can make a big difference when you ask for a review.
Useful things to jot down include:
- New or worsening symptoms or health issues
- Everyday tasks that have become harder (for example showering, meal preparation, shopping, managing medications)
- Falls, near misses, missed medications or meals
- GP, specialist, emergency department or hospital visits
- Comments or recommendations from health professionals
These notes help you tell a clear story about what has changed, rather than relying on memory in a rushed phone call.
Step 2: Contact My Aged Care
If your needs have changed, contact My Aged Care (1800 200 422) and explain that your situation is different from when you were first assessed.
Be ready to describe:
- Specific tasks that are now harder or unsafe
- Any new diagnoses or hospital admissions
- Changes in who is helping you, for example a family member who can no longer provide regular support
You can ask for your needs to be reviewed and for your referral and priority to be looked at again.
Step 3: Ask for a Reassessment
If you have already had an assessment but your condition has deteriorated, you can request a reassessment through My Aged Care.
A reassessment may be appropriate if:
- Your mobility, memory or overall health has declined
- You now need more help with personal care, household tasks or medications
- A carer is no longer available, or is struggling to cope
A new assessment can update your support needs and may change your level of priority for Support at Home or other services.
Step 4: Explore Interim Support Options
Even if a review is approved, it can take time to work through the system. While you wait, it may be possible to put extra supports in place so things stay safe.
Interim Support at Home funding
In some situations, you may be able to access Interim Support at Home funding. This is designed to help you start critical services while you wait for your full funding to become available.
Key points:
- Purpose: Helps you receive essential services at home when there are longer than expected wait times for your full Support at Home budget.
- Amount: You can receive 60 per cent of your approved funding up front so you can start care sooner.
- Availability: Used when there are significant delays in accessing ongoing services.
- Using it: You can find a provider and enter into a service agreement for critical services using your interim budget.
- Remaining funds: The remaining 40 per cent of your budget is allocated once funding becomes available, but the extra amount is not backdated.
Interim funding is generally not used for Restorative Care or End of Life pathways, because those pathways receive full funding immediately. If you are classified as urgent, you should also receive full funding within one month and do not need interim funding.
If you believe you need interim support at home, you can discuss this when you speak with My Aged Care, either via the website or by calling 1800 200 422.
Other interim supports
Alongside interim funding, other options can include:
- CHSP services such as cleaning, meal support, transport or basic personal care, if you are eligible and there is capacity locally
- Private home care to fill gaps or cover urgent needs
- Community programs and local services such as social groups, carer support or volunteer visiting programs
These options do not replace a full Support at Home budget, but they can help bridge the gap while you are waiting.
Step 5: Keep Your Health Professionals in the Loop
Let your GP and any key health professionals (for example geriatrician, physiotherapist, social worker) know that your needs have changed and that you are waiting for more support.
They may be able to:
- provide documentation to support your request for reassessment
- adjust treatment plans to improve safety at home
- help you and your family navigate options if the situation becomes urgent
If you have a hospital social worker, discharge planner or other coordinator involved, keep them updated as well.
Step 6: Follow Up Regularly
After you have asked for a review or reassessment, it is important to follow up so your request does not stall.
- note the date you called and who you spoke to
- ask when you should expect to hear back
- call again if that timeframe passes and you have not received an update
If your situation becomes more urgent, say so clearly and give recent examples, for example increased falls, carer burnout or missed medications.
Our Thoughts
Organising an assessment, clearly articulating your needs and being proactive if your circumstances change are all crucial if you want to remain at home safely.
We are fortunate in Australia to have funding and programs designed to support older people at home. The real challenge is knowing how to use the system well, how to combine funded services with informal care, and how to work with your GP and other health professionals over time. There is no one-size-fits-all solution in aged care; it is about finding the best mix for you, your needs and your circumstances, and adjusting that mix when things change.
How Aged Care Conversations Can Support You
At Aged Care Conversations, we regularly work with families whose needs have changed while they are waiting for more support at home.
We can help you:
- Make sense of where your assessment and referrals are up to
- Prepare to speak with My Aged Care about a review, reassessment or interim funding
- Map out interim options so you are not left without help while you wait
You can choose the level of support that suits you:
- Curated home care and assessment resource book – explains how Support at Home and CHSP fit together, what to do when needs change, and includes checklists to help you track and communicate your situation.
- Aged Care School sessions – small-group sessions on navigating home supports, reassessments and planning ahead, with time for questions and a practical takeaway summary.
- Individual consultations – one-on-one advice tailored to your situation, including preparation for calls with My Aged Care and planning next steps if things become urgent.
If your needs, or a loved one’s needs, have changed while you are waiting for support, you do not have to work it out alone.
Email chat@agedcareconversations.com.au or visit www.agedcareconversations.com.au to find the support option that feels right for you.