Support at Home: Finding the Right In-Home Aged Care
Most older Australians want to stay in their own home for as long as they safely can – and with the right support, many can. Support at home ranges from a hand with cleaning and shopping to personal care, nursing and allied health. The trick is knowing what’s available, what’s funded, and how to start.
We guide older people and families through the government program, private providers and local options, so staying at home feels safe, supported and confident, without the guesswork.
What is the Support at Home program?
Support at Home is the Australian Government’s in-home aged care program. It began on 1 November 2025 and replaced Home Care Packages, bringing in-home care into one system. It funds services and equipment that help older people stay independent at home, with support set at one of several funding levels based on assessed need.
Ongoing support is set at one of eight classification levels, each with a quarterly budget, based on assessed need. There are also short-term pathways for restorative care after an illness or hospital stay, for end-of-life care at home, and for assistive technology and home modifications. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) continues for people who need entry-level help.
If a parent was already on a Home Care Package, they moved across to Support at Home automatically and kept their existing budget level. People who were approved for a package and waiting kept their place in the queue. Anyone new is assessed directly for Support at Home.
What support at home can include
Cleaning, laundry, shopping, meal preparation and transport.
Help with showering, dressing and mobility.
Nursing, wound care and allied health such as physiotherapy.
Home modifications, equipment and assistive technology.
Company, outings and staying connected.
Government-funded vs Private home care
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Support at Home (government)
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Private home care
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How you qualify
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My Aged Care registration and assessment
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No assessment; you arrange it directly
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What you pay
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No contribution for clinical care; a means-tested contribution for independence and everyday living services
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The provider's full rates
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Waiting
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Can involve a wait for ongoing funding
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Usually starts quickly
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Best for
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Ongoing, subsidised support
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Extra help, flexibility, or filling gaps fast
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Many people use both: government funding for core support, and private care to fill gaps. See our Private Home Care page.
How to get support at home
Almost every government-funded option starts the same way: with My Aged Care and an assessment. Here is the short version of the path most older people and families follow.
under the Single Assessment System. An assessor works out what’s needed, in person, by phone or by telehealth.
This sets your Support at Home level and budget.
Ongoing funding is released through a national priority system, so there can be a wait between approval and services starting.
Once funding is allocated, there are 56 days to choose a provider. Missing that deadline means the funding is withdrawn and you go back into the queue. We help you compare providers, understand the fees and decide.
Support can be reassessed and adjusted over time.
Common mistakes to avoid
Assessment and funding allocation can take time, so get in the queue.
Once funding is allocated, the clock starts. Knowing which providers you’d consider in advance makes this much easier.
Fees, inclusions and service quality vary widely.
A few private hours can keep someone home safely while waiting for funding.
The rules changed in November 2025, and much of what’s online still describes Home Care Packages.
From the first My Aged Care call to choosing a provider, we sit beside you and explain each step, or manage the whole process for you, so you or the person you love can stay at home safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your question isn’t here, that’s a good reason to book a free conversation – or just call us.
What is the Support at Home program?
It’s the Australian Government’s in-home aged care program, which started on 1 November 2025 and replaced Home Care Packages. It funds services such as personal care, nursing, cleaning and home modifications to help older people stay independent at home, at one of eight classification levels based on assessed need, with short-term pathways for restorative care, end-of-life care and assistive technology.
What happened to Home Care Packages?
Home Care Packages were replaced by Support at Home on 1 November 2025. People already on a package moved across automatically and kept their existing budget level, and people approved and waiting kept their place in the queue. New applicants are assessed directly for a Support at Home classification.
How do I get support at home for myself or someone else?
Register with My Aged Care (1800 200 422) and arrange an assessment under the Single Assessment System. Once approved and funding is allocated, you have 56 days to choose a provider and start services. We can help you prepare for the assessment and compare providers.
How much does support at home cost?
There’s no contribution for clinical care such as nursing and physiotherapy. For independence services such as personal care, and everyday living services such as cleaning and meals, you pay a contribution based on your means assessment, with everyday living services attracting the higher rate. The amount depends on whether you receive a full pension, a part pension or are self-funded. Non-clinical contributions count toward a lifetime cap that is shared with residential care. People who had a Home Care Package, or were approved for one, by 12 September 2024 have arrangements that leave them no worse off. For advice on your own situation, we encourage you to talk with your existing financial adviser. If you don’t have one, we can introduce you to someone suitable, on merit and with no fee in either direction. See our Understanding Aged Care Costs page for the full structure.
What’s the difference between government and private home care?
Government support at home is subsidised but requires an assessment and can involve a wait. Private home care has no assessment, starts quickly and is paid in full, which makes it useful for extra help or while you wait. Many people use both.
Can you help us choose a home care provider?
Yes. We help you compare providers, understand the fees and inclusions, and choose the right fit. Because we take no commissions, our guidance is independent. We don’t get paid to send you anywhere.
RN-led, independent home care guidance
Our guidance comes from people who have worked inside the system and still do. Louise Greene is a Registered Nurse with an MBA and more than 40 years in health and aged care across clinical, executive, consulting and board roles, including chairing clinical governance committees. Kerry Mann is a former CEO in aged care and retirement living, holds an MBA, and has board experience including Ageing Australia’s NSW/ACT State Member Council.
How much we do is up to you. Some people want a single conversation to get their bearings. Others want us to manage the whole process, from the assessment through to finding and securing a place in the right home, with regular updates along the way.
We’re independent. Older people and families pay us directly, and we take no commissions from aged care homes, retirement villages or providers. When we help with placement, we’re working for you: homes pay us nothing. Where we introduce a partner, it’s on merit, with no fee in either direction. People come to us in the hardest weeks and leave with a clear plan and a person to call.
Because our guidance is nurse-led, it’s grounded in real care experience, not a sales script.
Want to stay at home, or keep Mum or Dad safely at home?
Call us, or book a free conversation. If we’re not the right help for you, we’ll say so – and point you somewhere that is.
Weekly Open Line: Mondays 9.30am – 10.30am