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If Allied Health services were identified in your Support at Home ACAT assessment, they can be funded through the program and delivered at home or in your local community. Allied Health comprises support services such as podiatry, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietitian consultations, speech pathology, and more. These sit under the Clinical Supports category of the Support at Home program.This guide explains what each service entails, how your assessed needs translate into actual care, and how Just Better Care helps you act on your assessment recommendations. You can also review the full Support at Home services list to understand everything your package covers.
Allied Health at HomeWhat Happens After Your Support at Home Assessment?
When you go through a Support at Home assessment, the assessor looks carefully at your health, your home environment, and what support you need to remain independent. For many people, Allied Health services, such as physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, and speech pathology, are part of that picture.
If Allied Health was flagged during your assessment, it is likely included in your Support at Home budget, and this means these services are available to you, either delivered directly to your home or by a practitioner in your local community, at no extra cost to you.
What DOES "Assessed Needs" Mean?
If your ACAT assessment identified Allied Health as an assessed need, these services will be in your support plan, classified under the Clinical Supports category (Allied Health and other therapeutic services) and do not attract a co-contribution.
PodiatryOne of the Most Commonly Assessed Allied Health Needs
Podiatry is frequently identified during Support at Home assessments, particularly where there are concerns about foot health, balance, falls risk, or diabetes management. If a podiatrist was recommended as part of your assessment, your Support at Home budget can fund regular home visits from a podiatrist or transport to the appointment with a local practitioner to keep your feet healthy and your mobility strong.
Many older Australians find it difficult to manage foot care independently due to reduced flexibility, arthritis, or poor circulation. Left unaddressed, minor foot problems can escalate into infections or increase the risk of falls. A consultation with a podiatrist is helpful to understand and treat mobility issues, as well as advice on footwear according to your level of daily activity and your condition/
If podiatry was identified in your assessment, your Just Better Care Care Partner will walk you through what this means for your care plan and arrange the referral as part of your ongoing support.
What can a podiatrist help with at home?
- Nail trimming, thickened nails and nail conditions
- Calluses, corns and cracked heels
- Diabetic foot assessment and wound care
- Gait analysis and footwear advice
- Balance and falls risk assessment
- Orthotics and foot pain management
To access podiatry through your Support at Home funding, speak with your Just Better Care Care Partner.
They'll arrange a referral and manage the cost within your quarterly budget. If podiatry wasn't included in your assessment, or you'd prefer not to wait, private podiatry can be arranged directly through your local office.
Find your local Just Better Care office to get started.
PhysiotherapyActing on Your Assessment Before a Health Setback Becomes a Crisis
Physiotherapy is one of the most impactful Allied Health services available through Support at Home. And one that is frequently identified in assessments for people managing reduced mobility, chronic pain, or elevated falls risk.
The Physiotherapist can see exactly how to design an exercise program that fits your daily routine. Your Just Better Care Support Workers can also assist you with home-based exercises recommended by the physiotherapist between physio appointments, meaning the benefit extends well beyond the appointment itself.
experience a fall each year
Physiotherapy-led strength, balance and coordination programs are among the most effective preventive measures available.
What can a physio help with?
- Strength and mobility rehabilitation after a fall or surgery
- Balance programs and falls prevention
- Pain management for arthritis, back pain or joint conditions
- Recovery from hip or knee replacement
- Stroke rehabilitation and neurological conditions
- Respiratory physiotherapy for lung conditions
If your assessment identified physiotherapy as a need, you may also qualify for the Restorative Care Pathway, which is a dedicated funding tier that provides up to 16 weeks of intensive Allied Health and nursing support.
Occupational TherapyFrom Assessment & Recommendation to Home Modification
An occupational therapy assessment is one of the most practical outcomes of the Support at Home assessment process. If an OT has been approved, it means the assessor identified concerns about how safely you're managing everyday tasks such as showering, dressing, moving through your home, or getting in and out of bed.
An occupational therapist's home care visit goes beyond observation. Based on what they see, the OT can prescribe specific assistive equipment and recommend home modifications tailored to your environment. Critically, an OT assessment is typically the required first step before funding for equipment or modifications can be accessed through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) pathway.
Your local Just Better Care team can coordinate the occupational therapist home visit and help you navigate the AT-HM scheme so that the right equipment and modifications are in place as quickly as possible.
Dietitian & Speech Pathology
If a dietitian or speech pathology support was identified during your Support at Home assessment, your quarterly Support at Home budget can fund both services.
Dietitian at home
A dietitian can visit you at home to provide a personalised nutrition plan, support weight management, and advise on safe and practical meal preparation. This is particularly relevant if your assessment flagged chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or unexplained weight loss.
According to Healthdirect Australia, dietitians play a key role in helping older Australians manage complex chronic conditions safely at home. Dietitian services can be funded through both your standard Support at Home budget and the Restorative Care Pathway.
Worth Knowing
Dietitian services can be accessed by eligible participants under the Support at Home program. These services sit under the Clinical and Therapeutic Care category and do not attract a co-contribution.
Speech pathology at home
A speech pathologist assists with communication difficulties and, critically, with swallowing and eating safety. Difficulty swallowing, known as dysphagia, is a genuine safety concern for older people with certain conditions, increasing a person's risk, such as dementia, Parkinson's disease or other neurological conditions.
If your assessment noted any concerns about swallowing, choking, coughing during meals, or Difficulty managing food and fluids safely, a speech pathology assessment at home should be prioritised.
Our in-home nursing team works closely with speech pathologists when swallowing concerns require ongoing clinical monitoring.
Other Allied Health services available through your assessed plan
Depending on your assessed needs, other Allied Health services may also be available through your Support at Home funding, including exercise physiology and social work. Talk to your local Just Better Care office to be connected with trusted local healthcare professionals.
Support at Home FundingHow Your Assessed Needs Translate Into Funded Services
Understanding how your assessment relates to funding is the first step toward ensuring you receive all the support you're entitled to. Allied Health services sit within the Clinical Supports category of the Support at Home services list.
Steps to access Allied Health under the Support at Home program:
Your assessment identified an Allied Health need
This is documented in your support plan and determines which services can be funded. If you're unsure what was included, your Just Better Care Care Partner can review this with you.
Your Care Partner arranges a referral.
You don't need to source a therapist yourself. Just Better Care coordinates referrals to local Allied Health professionals who are approved providers to your local office and manages the process on your behalf.
Services are funded through your Support at Home quarterly budget
Costs are managed within your quarterly Support at Home allocation. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing sets the framework for the funding and delivery of Allied Health services.
Your Just Better Care Support Workers continue the program between appointments.
Allied Health professionals work closely with your Just Better Care team to design ongoing programs that support your progress day to day, not just during formal visits.
If your needs are more intensive, you may also be eligible for the Restorative Care Pathway, which provides dedicated Allied Health and nursing support for up to 16 consecutive weeks.
If you need services right away, talk to your local office about Private (self-funded) Home Care.
Access Allied Health with
Just Better Care
We've been supporting older Australians to live independently at home for more than 20 years. Our local Care Partners coordinate the full range of Support at Home and Allied Health services — including podiatry, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietitian consultations, speech pathology and more.
Support at Home funding is allocated on a quarterly basis and does not carry over in full, so it is important to activate the services identified in your assessment and make the most of your entitlement each quarter.
Ready to get started with Allied Health at home?
Speak with your local Just Better Care Care Partner who can review your assessment, create a care plan and manage everything within your quarterly budget.
Allied Health at HomeFrequently Asked Questions
How do I know if Allied Health was included in my Support at Home assessment?
Your Support at Home support plan documents all services identified during your assessment, including any Allied Health services such as podiatry, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietitian support or speech pathology. Your Just Better Care Care Partner can review your plan with you, confirm which Allied Health services are funded, and explain how to activate them.
If you haven't connected with a Support at Home provider yet, contact your local Just Better Care office to get started. You can also visit our news and resources section for more information and resources on navigating your Support at Home plan.
Can my Support at Home funding pay for podiatry?
Yes, if podiatry was identified during your assessment. Podiatry sits under the Clinical and Therapeutic Care category of the Support at Home program, which is fully government-subsidised, meaning no co-contribution applies. Your Care Partner can arrange a referral to a qualified podiatrist in your area and manage the cost within your quarterly budget.
To understand the full range of services your Support at Home funding can cover, see our Support at Home services guide.
Can I get physio through my assessed Support at Home funding?
Yes. If physiotherapy was identified as a need during your assessment, it can be funded through your Support at Home budget and delivered directly at home. Your Care Partner can coordinate the referral and manage costs within your quarterly budget.
If your needs are more intensive following a hospital stay or health event, you may also be eligible for the Restorative Care Pathway, which provides up to 16 weeks of dedicated Allied Health support.
What does an occupational therapist's home care assessment involve?
An occupational therapist (OT) will visit your home to assess how safely and effectively you are carrying out everyday tasks. Including showering, dressing, moving around your home, and getting in and out of bed. Based on their observations, the OT will recommend assistive equipment or home modifications suited to your specific environment. Importantly, an OT assessment is also the required first step before funding for equipment or modifications can be approved through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme.
For more on what the AT-HM scheme covers, read our related articles on assistive technology, staying independent at home, and home modifications through Support at Home.
Do I need a GP referral to access Allied Health at home?
In most cases, no. Your Just Better Care Care Partner can facilitate Allied Health referrals directly as part of your care planning process; you don't need to organise this yourself or visit your GP first.
In some situations, a GP referral may also be appropriate, and your Care Partner can advise on this based on your individual circumstances. To find your local Just Better Care and get connected with a Care Partner, visit our locations page or get started online.
What if my needs have changed since my original assessment?
If your health or circumstances have changed since your original Support at Home assessment, your support plan can be reviewed and updated to reflect your current needs. Contact your Care Partner to request a plan review. If new Allied Health needs are identified during the review, such as a new requirement for physiotherapy following a fall, or podiatry support for a developing foot condition, these can be incorporated into your updated plan and funded through your Support at Home budget accordingly.
For more on how Support at Home funding works and what's involved in a Support at Home Assessment, read our dedicated section on Support at Home ACAT Assessments, or our article on How to prepare for a Support at Home ACAT assessment.
