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Applying for the Support at Home program is a four-step process, and each stage is more straightforward than it first appears. Knowing what to expect from your My Aged Care registration through to selecting a home care provider makes the whole journey easier to plan, easier to discuss with the person you care for, and far less stressful when the time comes to act.
The Support at Home program is now the main pathway for older Australians to access government-funded help in their own home. Whether you are planning ahead for yourself or supporting an ageing parent, understanding how the application process works puts you in a much stronger position. This guide takes you through registering with My Aged Care, what happens during your aged care assessment, how funding decisions are made under the new Support at Home program, and how to choose the right home care provider.

Everyone deserves to live safely and comfortably in their own home. However, an important part of living independently in your own home as you age is knowing how to access government subsidised aged care services.

The Support at Home program has been designed to offer flexibility and choice when receving care in your own home.

In addition to the improved physical and emotional wellbeing, accessing support while remaining in your own home has also been proven to extend quality of life and delay entry into residential care and premature hospitilisation.

As experts in home care, read our step-by-step guide to help navigate home care options.


Step 1 of 4

Eligibility for Support at Home and the My Aged Care ACAT assessment

The Support at Home program is designed for seniors aged 65 and over, while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may be eligible from age 50.

If everyday tasks are becoming harder and you want to access government-funded aged care services such as Support at Home, your first step is to contact My Aged Care for an assessment.

Assessments are typically carried out in your home by a trained assessor, but can also be arranged at other locations or virtually when necessary.

There are three ways to apply for a My Aged Care assessment:

  • Online via the My Aged Care website
  • By phone on 1800 200 422
  • In person at a Services Australia office, where you can make an appointment to speak with an Aged Care Specialist Officer

More details on Support at Home eligibility >

my aged care portal

Once you’ve applied, you can track the progress of your application using your My Aged Care portal login. The same My Aged Care portal is where your assessment outcome, referred to as "notice of decision", funding details, and support plan all in the one place.

Step 2 of 4

What to expect and how to prepare for your My Aged Care assessment?

After submitting your application, a My Aged Care assessor will contact you to arrange an assessment that is typically in your home and usually occurs within two to six weeks for the initial enquiry

Find out how to prepare for a My Aged Care Act Assessment > 

The assessor may ask some simple questions about your current circumstances to check your eligibility. 

Questions from the assessor will generally be around:

  • Your health
  • Your mobility
  • Your daily routines
  • Your living environment
  • Your personal goals
  • Any support you’re currently receiving

A record will be kept of your application, ensuring some of the information will be available to the assessor in your initial call.

Find out more details about the Support at Home ACAT Assessment in the Just Better Care Support at Home Hub


Step 3 of 4

The approval and funding processes under the Support at Home program

Once you have completed your assessment, you will receive a Notice of Decision letter outlining your eligibility, approved services, your classification level, and your rights to have the decision reviewed.

How long you wait for funding will depend on your priority category and overall demand.

The Support at Home Priority System allocates ongoing funding as it becomes available, based on a person’s date of approval and priority category: urgent, high, medium, or standard.

According to My Aged Care, when government funding becomes available, the participant will receive their funding allocation letter.

In certain circumstances, such as when there is a requirement to access critical services, participants may receive interim funding for a limited time. This does not apply to End-of-Life or Restorative Care pathways.

Find out more about the typical waiting periods and the benefits of Private Support

It’s important to remember that while some services are fully subsidised, you may be asked to contribute towards the cost of others.

To help you understand your contributions and start planning your budget, the government offers a free Support at Home fee estimator. You can also find out more in our pages around Support at Home costs and contributions and quarterly budgets with Support at Home

can't wait, Need support now?

If you require immediate support, talk to your local Just Better Care office about private (self-funded) care. It’s the fastest way to get the support you need whilst waiting or as an alternative to Support at Home.

Step 4 of 4

Choosing your Support at Home provider

Once you’ve been approved for services under the Support at Home program, the next step is to connect with a Support at Home aged care provider, like Just Better Care in your local area to help coordinate and deliver the services you need.

After receiving your approval for Support at Home, which will be contained within your "Notice of Decision", you are required to enter into a service agreement with a provider such as Just Better Care. 

Find out how to choose Just Better Care as your Support at Home Provider

The service agreement is a legal document that outlines the services you will receive, who will provide them, and what they will cost.

You are required to start services within 56 days of receiving your Notice of Decision. If you do not start services within that time, you may be given a 28-day extension. Outside of this, your Support at Home funding may be withdrawn.

After you have selected your provider, you will need to give them the referral code you received in your Notice of Decision letter. This enables the provider to see your assessment information and support plan, and will inform the care plan and the personalised budget you develop together. 

You're also welcome to have relatives, friends and other advocates with you as part of the process in develolping your care plan.

Aged care income and assets assessment

You must also complete an income and assets assessment with Services Australia, as this determines any participant contribution. Contribution rates will be based on your income and assets, and will vary by the amount and type of services you receive.

Find out more about costs and contributions with Support at Home

Once you have worked with your chosen provider, you will be assigned a Care Partner or Case Manager who will work with you to build a care plan and commence services.

Read more about how to get the most from your Support at Home services with Care Management

Important to know

Look for a Support at Home provider who takes the time to understand your preferences, daily rhythms, and goals, not just the tasks on a checklist.

Read: 25 reasons why Just Better Care


Based on your assessed needs, you may be approved for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). Read our article Commonwealth Home Support Programme vs Support at Home: what changed in 2026?

Get Started with 
Support at Home

Our team can walk you through what the Support at Home program means for you or someone you care for — and help you understand the services available in your area.

Watch: Support at Home Overview

This short video from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing provides a clear overview of the Support at Home program, what it means for participants, how it changes the way services are delivered.