What is the Support at Home Program?

The Support at Home program is the Australian Government's new funding model for in-home aged care. It replaced Home Care Packages and changed how funding, budgets and services work, so whether you are new to aged care or already receiving support, it pays to understand the basics.

What is the Support at Home program?

Support at Home is the main government-subsidised aged care program for older Australians who want to keep living independently in their own homes. It funds practical, clinical and social support, matched to your assessed needs, so help can start small and grow as life changes.

The goal is simple: the right support at the right time, so an early move into residential aged care is not forced before it is truly needed.

When did the Support at Home program start?

The program commenced on 1 November 2025 as part of national aged care reforms, replacing Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care. If you were already receiving a Home Care Package, you did not need to reapply. Existing customers transitioned automatically to an equivalent funding level, protected by the government's no worse-off principle.

Who is it for, and how do you apply through My Aged Care?

Support at Home is for older Australians who need help to keep living safely at home, generally people aged 65 and over, or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Access starts with My Aged Care registration and an aged care assessment, where an assessor talks through your health, daily routines and goals, then confirms your eligibility and funding level.

Waiting times for an aged care assessment vary depending on demand in your area and the urgency of your needs; funding is then allocated through a priority system. If you need help sooner, private home care can start straight away while you wait.

Package levels under Support at Home: the 8 classifications

If you have been searching for aged care package levels, this is the biggest change. The four Home Care Package levels have been replaced by eight funding classifications, so funding increases more gradually as needs rise.

Your classification is set at your aged care assessment. The annual amount is split into four quarterly budgets, available in full at the start of each quarter, with up to $1,000 or 10 per cent of unspent funds carrying over. Care management is capped at 10 per cent of your budget, so at least 90 per cent goes to your services.

What can you spend your Support at Home funding on?

Funding covers services on the government's approved service list, grouped into three categories:

• Clinical supports: in-home nursing, allied health and care management, fully funded by the government with no participant contribution
• Independence: personal care, social and community support, transport and respite
• Everyday living: domestic assistance, meal preparation, home maintenance and gardening

You may be asked to contribute towards independence and everyday living services, based on an income and assets assessment. The free Support at Home fee estimator on My Aged Care gives you an idea of your contributions, and our cost guide explains how they work.

Alongside your ongoing budget, there are separate short-term pathways: the Restorative Care Pathway for intensive allied health after a setback, the End-of-Life Pathway for people with three months or less to live, and the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme for equipment like grab rails, walkers and ramps, funded separately so it does not drain your regular budget.

Support at Home vs Home Care Packages

For a deeper look at how the entry-level program compares, read our guide to the Commonwealth Home Support Programme vs Support at Home.

Finding a Support at Home provider

Once approved, you choose a registered provider and enter a service agreement. All providers must publish their prices, so it is worth comparing before you commit. You can search the My Aged Care Find a Provider tool, or go straight to a provider you trust.

Just Better Care offices deliver Support at Home services across Australia, with local teams who take the time to understand your routines and goals, not just the tasks on a checklist. Read our guide on choosing Just Better Care as your Support at Home provider.