Support at Home
Better Support for Older Australians to Age at Home
What is Support at Home?
- New Government funded aged care at home
The Support at Home program is the Australian Government’s new system for delivering government-funded aged care services to older Australians who want to remain living in their own homes.
It launched on 1 November 2025, replacing both the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme under the new Aged Care Act 2024.
The program is administered by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and accessed through My Aged Care (the national gateway for all government-funded aged care services).
The goal is to enable older Australians to obtain the services, equipment and home modification needed to maintain health, activity and social connection while continuing to live in their own home.
Under Support at Home, you have access to a clearly defined list of services across three categories:
- Clinical care
- Independence support
- Everyday living
Funding will be provided in a quarterly budget, based upon your assessed needs. In contrast to the former Home Care Package model that had four funding levels, the Support at Home has eight funding classifications to enable more flexibility and precision when supporting individuals requiring a broader range of care needs.
Who is eligible for Support at Home?
- Aged 65 or over
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 or over
- Aged 50 or over and at risk of, or currently experiencing, homelessness
Eligibility does not guarantee service delivery; individuals also require to be assessed as requiring a coordinated approach to support due to needing assistance with multiple day-to-day activities or because their care needs are complex or intensive enough to warrant development of an ongoing structured care plan.
To begin the eligibility assessment process for Support at Home, individuals should call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit www.myagedcare.gov.au. An independent assessor from the Single Assessment System will then arrange a home assessment, review applicant’s care needs and determine whether the applicant qualify and, if so, at which funding classification.
Existing Home Care Package recipients who were enrolled prior to 1 November 2025 will be automatically transitioned to Support at Home. Their existing funding level and services continued uninterrupted. For further information please refer to the transition page below.
What are the 8 Support at Home funding classifications?
Each funding classification corresponds with a specific annual budget that is paid out in quarterly instalments. Your funding classification will be determined by the single independent assessor based upon your required care needs, rather than your age or income.
| Classification | Quarterly budget | Annual budget | Care complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ~$2,750 | ~$11,000 | Mostly independent, light support |
| 2 | ~$4,000 | ~$16,000 | Light, regular in-home support |
| 3 | ~$5,500 | ~$22,000 | Moderate support needs |
| 4 | ~$7,500 | ~$30,000 | Moderate to high needs |
| 5 | ~$10,000 | ~$40,000 | Higher complexity care |
| 6 | ~$12,000 | ~$48,000 | High care needs |
| 7 | ~$14,500 | ~$58,000 | Very high and complex needs |
| 8 | ~$19,500 | ~$78,000 | Highest level — complex, intensive care |
Amounts are approximate and subject to annual indexation in July. Verify current figures at myagedcare.gov.au
Budgets are released at the start of each quarter in July, October, January and April. If you join the program mid-quarter, your first budget is calculated from your start date to the end of that quarter.
Care management is capped at 10% of your quarterly budget by law. This means at least 90 cents in every dollar of your Support at Home funding goes directly to your care services — not administration. Under the old Home Care Package system, some providers charged up to 35% in management fees.
If you don’t use your entire quarterly budget, you can roll over up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget (whichever is greater) into the following quarter. Any remaining unspent funds beyond that do not accumulate, so working with your care manager to plan your services each quarter is important.
What services are available under Support at Home?
Support at Home covers a broad range of services, grouped into three categories. Each category has its own contribution rules, depends on which type of service you’re receiving and your personal financial circumstances.
Clinical Supports
Government funded ($0 to you)
- Nursing care
- Allied health
- Nutrition
- Care management
- Restorative care management
Independence
Shared cost based on your income
- Personal care
- Social support and community engagement
- Therapeutic services
- Respite
- Transport
- Assistive technology
- Home modifications
Everyday Living
Higher personal contribution
- Domestic assistance
- Home maintenance & repairs
- Meal preparation & support
Clinical Care services are fully funded by the Australian Government. You pay nothing for nursing, physiotherapy or allied health. This is one of the most significant improvements over the old Home Care Package system, where clinical costs came out of your package budget.
Independence and Everyday Living services involve a participant contribution. The amount you pay depends on your income, assets and pension status. Full pensioners generally pay less than part-pensioners or self-funded retirees. Contributions are assessed by Services Australia.
Additional short-term funding
- When you need extra support
In addition to your ongoing classification, Support at Home includes three short-term pathways for specific circumstances.
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme
A separate funding pool for products, equipment and home modifications that support your independence and safety at home. Three funding tiers are available, assessed separately from your ongoing budget.
Restorative Care Pathway
Up to $12,000 in funding for allied health and reablement services, available for up to 12 weeks (with a possible 4-week extension). Designed to help you regain strength, mobility and independence after illness or a decline in function.
End-of-Life Pathway
Up to $25,000 in additional funding for people with a prognosis of three months or less, to support remaining at home with dignity and comfort for as long as possible. Services can be accessed for up to 16 weeks.
How much will Support at Home cost you?
Nursing, physiotherapy and all allied health supports are fully funded by the Australian Government for all participants, regardless of income or assets.
For Independence and Everyday Living services, a participant contribution applies. The amount you pay depends on three factors:
- The type of service — clinical services have no contribution; everyday living services have the highest contribution
- Your pension or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card status
- Your assessed income and assets, determined by Services Australia
The lifetime contribution cap — how it protects you
To ensure no one is ever asked to pay an unlimited amount for their aged care, the Australian Government applies a lifetime contribution cap. As of 1 November 2025:
- $84,571.66 — the cap for grandfathered participants (those who were receiving or approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024 and who held their status on that date)
- $135,318.69 — the cap for new participants assessed after 12 September 2024
Both caps are indexed twice yearly (in March and September). Contributions toward your aged care whether in-home or residential, it all counts toward the same lifetime cap. You will never pay more than your applicable cap in total, across your entire aged care journey.
Participant contributions
You may have to pay contributions on the services you receive. Your contribution is based on an income assessment, like the one used for the Age Pension.
| The percentage of the cost of services that you will be expected to contribute | Clinical support | Independence services | Everyday living services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full pensioner | 0% | 5% | 17.5% |
| Part pensioners and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders | 0% | 5% - 50% depending on income/assets | 17.5% - 80% depending on income/assets |
| Self-funded retiree | 0% | 50% | 80% |
If you are a self-funded retiree with a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, your contribution rate will be lower than other self-funded retirees. You can use the Support at Home fee estimator on the My Aged Care website to get an idea of what your contribution might be.
How do you apply for the Support at Home program?
Applying for Support at Home is a five-step process, managed through My Aged Care (Australia’s national portal for government-funded aged care).
Most people find the process straightforward once they have started. If you’re unsure where to begin, our team at Absolute Care & Health can walk you through the My Aged Care process at no cost. Call us on 1300 030 032 and we’ll help you get started.
Step 1 - Contact My Aged Care
Call 1800 200 422 (Monday to Friday, 8am–8pm; Saturday 10am–2pm) or visit myagedcare.gov.au to register your interest online. You can also have a family member, carer or your GP make the initial contact on your behalf. This first contact creates your record in the national system.
Step 2 - An assessor is arranged
Step 3 - Your home assessment is conducted
Step 4 - Your classification and funding are assigned
Based on the assessment, you will be assigned a Support at Home classification (1 through 8) and notified in writing. Your letter will confirm your classification, estimated funding, and your priority status, which affects how quickly your funding becomes available.
Step 5 - You choose your provider and begin care
You are free to choose any registered Support at Home provider. Once you choose Absolute Care & Health (or another provider), we work with you to develop a personalised care plan and begin services as soon as your funding is available. You can change providers at any time, with no exit fees.
Moving from a Home Care Package to Support at Home
If you were receiving a Home Care Package (HCP) before 1 November 2025, your transition to Support at Home happened automatically. You did not need to reapply or go through a new assessment. Your services continued without interruption, and your funding was maintained at an equivalent level under a Transitioned HCP classification (Level 1, 2, 3 or 4 — corresponding to your old package level).
The Australian Government introduced the ‘no worse off’ principle specifically to protect existing Home Care Package clients. This means:
- Your participant contributions will not increase as a result of transitioning to Support at Home
- If you are reassessed and moved to a higher Support at Home classification at a later date, the no-worse-off guarantee still applies to your contributions
- Your unspent Home Care Package funds — any balance held as of 31 October 2025 were retained in full and carried over to Support at Home. There is no expiry on these carried-over funds, but you must use them before drawing on any AT-HM Scheme funding.
What about the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)?
If you receive Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) services, such as Meals on Wheels, centre-based day activities or low-level help at home, your services are not changing yet. The CHSP will transition to Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027. You will be given plenty of notice before any changes affect you.
How to choose your Support at Home provider
Under Support at Home, you have complete freedom to choose your registered provider and can change providers at any time with no exit fees. This is one of the most important rights the new system gives you. Take the time to choose a provider who genuinely fits your needs, your values and your suburb.
| What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Registered with My Aged Care | Only registered providers can deliver government-funded Support at Home services. Ask for confirmation of registration and check the provider directory at myagedcare.gov.au. |
| Full service range | A provider who can deliver clinical care, personal care and everyday living services means you won't need multiple providers as your needs change. Continuity of care matters. |
| Local presence and local staff | Providers with teams based in your suburb or nearby understand your community and can respond quickly when needs change. Ask whether staff are local or sourced from a central pool. |
| Transparent fees and care management approach | Ask what percentage of your budget goes to care management and what you receive for it. Under Support at Home, care management is capped at 10% — any provider charging more is breaching program rules. |
| Nurse-led assessments | A provider with clinical leadership can identify health risks early and connect you to the right services before problems escalate. This is particularly important for Clinical Care services. |
| Responsive communication | Ask how quickly they respond to concerns, what their after-hours process is, and how they involve you and your family in care planning decisions. |
Support at Home care from Absolute Care & Health in Melbourne
Absolute Care & Health is a registered Support at Home provider delivering government-funded in-home aged care services to older Australians across Melbourne and surrounding suburbs. We have been supporting older Australians and their families to live well at home, combining clinical expertise with genuine, personalised care.
Support at Home care from Absolute Care & Health in Melbourne
Absolute Care & Health is a registered Support at Home provider delivering government-funded in-home aged care services to older Australians across Melbourne and surrounding suburbs. We have been supporting older Australians and their families to live well at home, combining clinical expertise with genuine, personalised care.
Why Melbourne families choose us?
Nurse-led care
Our clinical team conducts nurse-led health assessments for all new Support at Home clients, identifying health risks early and ensuring your care plan is built on a genuine understanding of your medical and personal needs.
Full service range
We deliver the full spectrum of Support at Home services: clinical care (nursing, wound management, medication support), independence support (personal care, companionship) and everyday living (domestic assistance, meal preparation, garden maintenance).
We employ our carers
Every carer is screened, employed and managed by us directly. No outsourcing, ever. You'll know who's coming to your home and so will we.
Your funding, managed properly
Our 10% care management fee includes full clinical oversight by Registered Nurses. No hidden costs. And we'll track your funding so nothing goes to waste.
Your choice. Your way.
Choose fully provider-managed care where we handle everything, or a self-managed model where you stay in control. Whatever works best for your life.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Support at Home program
These are some of the most common questions, answered for you.
What is the Support at Home program?
The Support at Home program is the Australian Government’s new government-funded in-home aged care system, launched on 1 November 2025. It replaced the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme under the new Aged Care Act 2024. The program is administered by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and accessed through My Aged Care. Its goal is to help older Australians remain safely and independently at home for longer.
Who is eligible for the Support at Home program?
What happened to Home Care Packages?
Home Care Packages were replaced by the Support at Home program on 1 November 2025. If you were receiving a Home Care Package before that date, you were automatically transitioned to Support at Home. Your funding was maintained at an equivalent level under a Transitioned HCP classification, and the ‘no worse off’ principle ensures your contributions will not increase as a result of the transition. Your unspent Home Care Package funds were also carried over in full.
How many funding levels does Support at Home have?
Support at Home has 8 ongoing funding classifications, with annual funding ranging from approximately $10,731 (Classification 1) to $78,106 (Classification 8). Budgets are delivered quarterly. There are also 4 Transitioned HCP classifications for people who moved across from the old Home Care Package system. Your classification is determined by an independent assessor based on your assessed care needs.
How much will Support at Home cost me?
Clinical care services, including nursing, physiotherapy and all allied health are fully government funded at no cost to you, regardless of your income. For Independence and Everyday Living services, a participant contribution applies based on your income, assets and pension status. A lifetime contribution cap protects you from unlimited costs: $84,571.66 for grandfathered HCP clients and $135,318.69 for new participants (both indexed twice yearly).
How do I apply for the Support at Home program?
Contact My Aged Care by calling 1800 200 422 (Monday to Friday, 8am–8pm; Saturday 10am–2pm) or visiting myagedcare.gov.au. An independent assessor from the Single Assessment System will arrange a home assessment to review your care needs and determine your eligibility and classification. Once approved, you choose a registered provider, develop a care plan and begin services as soon as your funding is available.
Can I choose my own Support at Home provider?
Yes, you have complete freedom to choose any registered Support at Home provider and can change providers at any time, with no exit fees. You are not locked in. We recommend taking time to compare providers on their service range, local presence, clinical capability and fee transparency before making your choice. Absolute Care & Health is a registered provider serving Melbourne and surrounds. Call 1300 030 032 for a no-obligation conversation.
What services are included in Support at Home?
Support at Home covers three categories of service. Clinical Care includes nursing, allied health, medication management and wound care (all fully government funded). Independence Support includes personal care, transport, social participation and mobility aids (shared cost based on your income). Everyday Living includes domestic cleaning, meal preparation, home maintenance and garden upkeep (higher personal contribution). The AT-HM Scheme provides additional funding for assistive technology and home modifications.
Is Absolute Care & Health a registered Support at Home provider?
Yes. Absolute Care & Health is a registered Support at Home provider delivering government-funded in-home aged care services across Melbourne and surrounding suburbs. We provide the full range of Support at Home services from nursing and allied health through to personal care, domestic assistance and social support. To discuss your options or arrange a consultation, call 1300 030 032 or complete our online enquiry form.
What is the 10% care management cap?
What are the short-term pathways under Support at Home?
Support at Home includes three short-term pathways in addition to your ongoing classification funding. The Restorative Care Pathway provides up to $12,000 for allied health and reablement services over 12–16 weeks, to help you regain independence after a health event. The End-of-Life Pathway provides up to $25,000 over 16 weeks for people with a prognosis of three months or less, to support remaining at home with dignity. The AT-HM Scheme provides funding for assistive technology and home modifications across three tiers.
When will the Commonwealth Home Support Program transition to Support at Home?
The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), which provides services such as Meals on Wheels, centre-based day activities and low-level home support will transition to Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027. If you currently receive CHSP services, nothing is changing for you right now. You will be given significant advance notice before any changes occur. The government has committed to a careful, managed transition that protects existing CHSP clients.
Explore more: everything you need to know about Support at Home
Am I eligible?
Find out who qualifies and how the My Aged Care assessment works.
Funding classifications
Understand all 8 levels and how much you receive each quarter.
How to apply
Step-by-step guide to accessing Support at Home via My Aged Care.
Costs and contributions
What you'll pay, how income testing works, and the lifetime cap explained.
HCP transition guide
Already on a Home Care Package? Find out exactly what changed and what didn't.
Our services
See the full range of in-home services we provide under Support at Home.
What is Support at Home?
Plain-English explanation of the program for those who are just starting to research.
Free fact sheets
Download our free fact sheets to share with family members or your GP.
Get in touch
Speak to our Melbourne team. Free initial consultation available.
What our clients say about us
“Fantastic service and they really do care about their clients health and well-being. Couldn’t be happier knowing my Grandmother is well taken care of with Absolute Care & Health.
The communication between my Grandmother’s Case Manager, herself and me is second to none! Whenever I need a question answered or my Grandmother requires anything to assist with her health and quality of life is promptly organised and delivered.
This makes her life less stressful and makes me feel confident she is taken care of and in good hands. A special Thank you to Nancy, her Case Manager for the Fantastic work she does managing all my Grandmother’s special needs.”
- Seth, Melbourne
Find out more about Support at Home
For more information about how we do things, download our information pack. It has everything you need to know about who we are and what we do.
Looking for a Trusted Support at Home Provider Near You?
If you’re searching for a Support at Home provider in Melbourne, Absolute Care & Health is here to help. Our team can explain your eligibility and approved services, help you choose the right Support at Home provider, set up care that fits your needs and preferences.
