Understanding if I am eligible for Support at Home
If everyday tasks are becoming harder, Support at Home may be available to you to stay independent and living in your own home for longer. This page outlines who may be eligible, how the assessment process works, and the next steps to access support.
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Who is eligible for Support at Home?
Understanding eligibility early can make the process feel simpler. Whether you are planning ahead for yourself or helping a parent, partner or family member, knowing the steps can help you make confident decisions and get the right support in place sooner.
What is Support at Home? For a simple overview of the Support at Home program, see our guide What is the Support at Home program?
Support at Home is designed for older Australians who need help to continue living independently at home. Most people can apply from age 65, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may be eligible from age 50.
Eligibility is based on both your age and your assessed care needs.
Age eligibility
The program is designed for seniors aged 65+, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may be eligible from age 50.
Assessed Care Needs
Your care needs will be assessed based on your health, pre-existing conditions, age-related changes, frailty, illness, injury, or reduced mobility that are affecting your daily life at home.
You may be eligible if you need help with things like:
- Personal care such as showering, dressing or grooming
- Meal preparation, shopping or nutrition support
- Light cleaning, laundry and other household tasks
- Mobility, assistive technology and home modifications for safety, access or falls prevention
- Travel and transport to appointments or social activities
- Staying connected and participating in local activities in your community, and maintaining your usual routines with friends and family, outside of the home
- Nursing or allied health services, where clinically appropriate
You do not need to wait until things become urgent. Many people start the process when they first notice that their routines are becoming harder, energy levels are changing, or extra support would make life safer and more manageable.
A simple way to think about eligibility
If daily tasks are becoming harder because of age-related changes or health issues, and Support at Home would help you remain safe and independent in your own home, it is worth arranging an aged care assessment.
How do I apply for Support at Home?
The first step is to contact My Aged Care and apply for an aged care assessment. This assessment helps determine whether you are eligible for government-funded support, once you are deemed as eligible and after your assessment you will recieve a notice of determination and your Support at Home classification, thi is the funding you can put towards a mix of support, products and services based on your assessed needs.
Steps to getting started with Support at Home
- Contact My Aged Care either by applying online or calling 1800 200 422 to begin the process.
- Share basic information about your health, home situation and the help you may need.
- Complete an assessment, usually at home, so your circumstances can be properly understood.
- Receive your outcome, including advice about your eligibility and next steps.
- Choose a provider to help you implement services and manage your ongoing care.
Helpful read: If you want a clearer idea of how to get ready for the assessment, read our guides: How to Prepare for Your Support at Home Assessment.
What happens at the My Aged Care Support at Home ACAT assessment?
The assessment is about understanding how you are managing at home and where support could help. It looks at your health, mobility, daily routines, living environment, informal supports and personal goals.
Your daily life
The assessor may ask about showering, dressing, cooking, cleaning, getting around safely and managing appointments.
Your health and well-being
They may talk about mobility, memory, pain, fatigue, falls risk and any health conditions that affect day-to-day living.
Your goals
The assessment should also consider what matters to you, such as staying active, maintaining routines or remaining at home longer.
It can help to have a family member, friend or carer with you during the assessment, especially if they support you regularly or can help explain changes they have noticed.
What should I have ready?
It helps to think in advance about which tasks are becoming harder, what support you already receive, and what you want life at home to look like. Being specific can make the conversation more useful and ensure your needs are clearly understood.
Helpful reads: Families often ask our local Just Better Care teams similar questions about aged care pathways and where to begin. Read our guides: Questions Families Ask About In-Home Aged Care and Understanding the ACAT assessment
What happens if I’m approved for Support at Home?
If you are found eligible, you will receive an outcome that explains the support you have been approved for and what to do next. This can help you move forward with services that match your needs, preferences and goals.
Once approved, it is important to choose a provider that communicates clearly, respects your choices, and can tailor support around your life.
Services may include personal care, domestic assistance, transport, social support, nursing or allied health, depending on your situation.
Understand your approval
Review your outcome carefully so you understand what support has been approved and what happens next.
Choose the right provider
Look for a provider that listens, explains things clearly and can adapt support as your needs change.
Helpful read: If you are comparing the new system with the old one, see our guide, What Happened to Home Care Packages? which compares the former Home Care Package program and Support at Home.
If you would like a broader overview, visit our Support at Home page. You can also learn more about the cost of Support at Home in our guide to costs and contributions, and our advice for families on planning ahead for the cost of care in retirement
Choosing a provider should feel clear and reassuring
Choosing the right Home Care provider for your Support at Home services is not only about funding or the services themselves. It is also about making a connection, feeling heard and respected, and being confident that your care is personalised to your unique goals, routines, and preferences.
What if I’m not eligible for Support at Home or need support sooner?
If you are not eligible or need support sooner, you may still have options. Some people choose private (self-funded) in-home care to bridge the gap between their current funding and their needs, while they wait for the outcome of their assessment or a reassessment, or when they want additional "top-up" hours outside government-funded arrangements.
Private support can be a practical option if you need help sooner, want additional services, or would prefer more choice around timing and service design. Private Home Care is not subsidised or part of Support at Home and is a direct private-pay relationship with your local Just Better Care office.
Helpful read: "Government-Funded Support at Home vs Private In-Home Care" may help you compare the two.
Need help understanding Support at Home?
Whether you are just starting the process or already have an assessment outcome,
Your local Just Better Care team can help you understand your options and plan out support services that suit your lifestyle.
Speak with someone who understands the aged care journey and can guide you through every part of the process.
Questions participants often ask about Support at Home eligibility
Who can apply for Support at Home?
Most older Australians can apply from age 65 if they need help to keep living independently at home. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may be eligible from age 50. Care needs are also part of the eligibility decision.
Do I need to already be receiving aged care services?
No. You can apply when you first start noticing that daily tasks are becoming harder or when extra support would help you remain safe and well at home.
Do I need a diagnosis to be eligible?
Not necessarily. The assessment looks at how your health, mobility, or age-related changes affect your daily life and what support may help you remain independent.
Can someone help me through the process?
Yes. A family member, friend, carer or trusted supporter can help you prepare, attend the assessment and ask questions along the way.
What if my needs change after I’m assessed?
If your circumstances change, you may be able to request a review or reassessment so that your support better reflects your current needs.
Can I get help while I’m waiting?
Yes. Some people choose private in-home care while waiting for assessment, approval or services to begin, especially if support is needed sooner.
Can I choose my provider after approval?
Yes. Once approved, you can choose the provider you feel most comfortable with and who can deliver support in a way that suits your preferences and goals.
Where can I learn more about Support at Home?
You can visit our Support at Home overview page or explore Support at Home: 10 Frequently Asked Questions for more guidance.
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