What is Support at Home?
The Support at Home Program is a new aged care system introduced by the Australian Government. It was developed in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
Support at Home brings together several existing in-home aged care programs into one simpler, fairer system. It helps older people stay at home longer with the right support.
Key changes
- Support at Home commenced 1 November 2025: Replaces the Home Care Package (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs.
- From July 2027 (at the earliest): Will also include the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).
Get our factsheets to understand how the new rules will affect you.
- Grandfathered participants are those approved for a home care funding before 12 Sept 2024, including those currently on the waitlist. (Link)
- Transitional participants are those approved for a home care funding after 12 Sept 2024 and before 1 November 2025. (Link)
Support at Home classifications
The program uses a new classification system to match services to your needs. This includes:
- Eight ongoing Support at Home funding levels
- Two short-term care pathways:
- Restorative Care:
- End Of Life Care:
Reassessments are available over time to ensure your care matches your changing needs.
Getting started with home care funding
Anyone over 65 years of age or 50+ with an Aboriginal or Torres strait Islander background may be eligible for home care funding.
Thanks to recent changes by the government, applying for home care has now been made simpler regardless of the type of aged care support you may need.
You’ll still start need to begin by registering with My Aged Care and apply for an assessment. However, under the new Single Assessment System, people looking into home care now only need to enter one door for answers.
The step-by-step process for your home care application
Your home care journey starts with getting an assessment
You’ll need to begin by contacting My Aged Care to register and apply for an assessment for aged care Support at Home. Simply call them on 1800 200 422 or visit the MAC website to apply online. Be aware you’ll need 3 points of identification, such as your Medicare card, passport, drivers license, DVA card, Healthcare card.
Your assessment determines what funding you receive
The assessor will ask lots of questions about your life and living arrangements, as well as your goals and what type of help you need to live more comfortably at home, so be sure to be honest, and get the care you need.
After the assessment, you’ll receive a letter confirming your level of care you’re approved for and what steps to take next.
The assessor considers for key categories to determined the help and funding you may need, including:
- Falls risk – resulting from muscle weakness, declining sight, stiffness, and more
- Daily living challenges – such as housework, bill paying, getting dressed & shopping
- Cognitive issues – like forgetfulness, anxiety, losing sense of direction and so on
- Carer burn out – showing signs of exhaustion and overwhelm
You’re on the waitlist until funding is assigned
- When approved for funding, you’ll be place on the national waitlist until your funding is release – known as having your ‘funding assigned’.
- At this stage you may receive some interim funding to help out while you wait, which can stretch for 6-12 months.
- About a month before your funding is available, you’ll receive a ‘Readiness Letter’ from My Aged Care, which includes important paperwork for you to review.
Lastly, a letter will arrive with a red code on – meaning, your funding is now finally available.
Finally it’s time to find the help you need
Once your funding is assigned, you have 56 days to find the home care provider that’s right for you, and get signed up to get your services started.
More information:
To find out how to become a client in our SaH program please call us on (03) 9569 4020 and ask to speak to one of our friendly Case Managers.
Base rates
