Support at Home
About Support at Home
Support at Home is the Australian Government’s reformed approach to funding in-home aged care. It brings together and simplifies what used to be separate programs, such as Home Care Packages, into a more consistent system with needs-based funding classifications.
Because this is a significant and recent change, the practical detail needs to be confirmed currently: exact funding levels, what is included, and how people already receiving support move across. Ask My Aged Care (1800 200 422) rather than relying on a general description, including this one. An aged care assessment through My Aged Care is the starting point whichever structure is current.
At a glance
- Reformed approach to in-home aged care funding.
- Brings together earlier programs, such as Home Care Packages.
- Detail changes, so confirm funding levels and inclusions with My Aged Care.
- An aged care assessment is still the starting point.
This is general information, not financial or funding advice. Program names, amounts and eligibility rules change over time. Always confirm current detail with the relevant official body before relying on it.
How to prepare before arranging support
- Ask My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 how Support at Home applies to you.
- Get an aged care assessment through My Aged Care, whichever structure is current.
- Confirm the exact funding levels and what is included.
- If you already receive support, ask how people already receiving support move across.
Information and records to have ready
- My Aged Care reference number and assessment outcome
- Support plan, approval notices and provider agreement
- Current fee schedule, budget statements and invoices
- Health, safety and communication information shared with consent
Questions to ask a provider
- Are you approved to deliver the current program and required services?
- What fees, contributions, management charges, travel or establishment costs apply?
- When can support start, and what happens if needs increase or a regular worker is absent?
- How are service changes, complaints and moving to another provider handled?
- Which costs are government funded and which remain the person’s responsibility?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Relying on an old program name or fee description
- Comparing headline prices without all recurring charges
- Assuming approval means immediate provider capacity
- Signing before understanding suspension, change and exit terms
Frequently asked questions
Is Support at Home the same as Home Care Packages?
It is the reformed approach that brings together earlier programs such as Home Care Packages. Ask My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 how it applies to you, including how people already receiving support move across.
Who can confirm what Support at Home means for me?
Ask My Aged Care. A provider can explain its services and billing, but it cannot make a binding funding decision for the responsible body.
Does a provider listing prove it accepts support at home?
No. A directory or public-register listing describes a provider and the supports it lists. Confirm the funding arrangement, approval and current availability with the provider before booking.
What if the rules or my circumstances change?
Check the current guidance with My Aged Care, tell your providers promptly and update written agreements or approvals before relying on the changed arrangement.
Official sources
Other Aged Care topics
Browse providers or explore other funding topics.
Helpful reading
- NDIS jargon explained: the terms you will hear and what they mean: Plans, supports, coordinators, managers, registered providers: a plain-language glossary of the words that come up most often.
- NDIS or My Aged Care: which system supports you?: Two government systems support people with disability and older people. Here is how to think about which one applies and what to do if you are not sure.
- Keeping records of your NDIS supports: a simple system: Good records make plan reviews, claim queries and changes of provider far easier. Here is a light-touch way to keep them.