Through aged care funding, you may be able to get access to services and support that are subsidised by the Australian Government. These services and support could include help with transport, housework, personal care as well as specialised long-term/short-term accommodation, such as nursing homes.
Find out more about aged care and whether you need it.
The first step to accessing funding is to meet the eligibility criteria. The government funds both home care and residential aged care (or nursing homes). Once you are eligible for either, the funding is paid to the ‘approved provider’ you choose, and you can start accessing the services set out during your assessment.
In both cases — home care and residential aged care — the individual may need to pay a contribution too.
Find out more about Support At Home fees and charges.
Do you need aged care support?
If you’re over the age of 65, or an Indigenous Australian over the age of 50, and you’re not managing things as well as you used to, aged care support services could make a big difference to your life by helping you stay healthy and mobile, keep your home liveable (i.e. modifications to your home to help you live independently), remain active and stay connected to your community, or get personal care if you’re recovering from illness or a fall.
Home-based aged care programs in Australia
Funding for home-based aged care in Australia falls into two government-subsidised aged care programs, each catering for a different level of support. These are called the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) which provides lower-level supports, and the Support At Home program which provides support for higher needs. Learn more about each of the home-based support programs below.
Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
CHSP provides support for people needing just a few basic services to help them live independently in their own home. It doesn’t suit people with more complex support needs.
Under the CHSP, you can access help for services such as meal preparation, transport, nursing care, etc. Find out more about the support you can get through CHSP.
To be eligible for the CHSP, you need to be aged 65 years and over, or 50 years and over if you’re an Indigenous Australian. However, if you’re on a low income, homeless or at risk of being homeless, that age requirement is reduced to 50 years, or 45 years if you identify as an Indigenous Australian. You will also need to undergo an assessment to determine eligibility and the level of support you need. You can apply online or by calling 1800 200 422.
Once you have met the eligibility requirements, you need to find a service provider, an organisation that delivers care and services to you at a subsidised price. CHSP will continue to operate until it transitions to the Support at Home program, no earlier than 1 July 2027.
Support at Home
The Support at Home program is designed for older Australians who need support to live independently at home. Starting from 1 November 2025, it replaces the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme. To access Support at Home, the first step is to undergo an aged care assessment using the new Single Assessment System with the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT). If the assessment finds that your support needs meet the eligibility for the program, you will be eligible.
The eligibility requirements for Support at Home are that you are aged 65 years or older (50 years or older if you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander), living at home and need help to maintain your independence and continue doing the things you enjoy.
Once you have been approved for Support at Home at the appropriate classification level, you will be allocated funding through the Support at Home Priority System. This system assigns a priority rating (urgent, high, medium, or standard) based on your needs, with higher priority levels receiving funding more quickly. The government aims to reduce average waiting times to around 3 months. If there’s high demand, recipients may receive an interim allocation (up to 60%) of their Support at Home budget while waiting for full funding.
Your assessment will result in a Notice of Decision with an individual support plan that outlines your classification, quarterly budget, and approved services. You can then choose a Support at Home provider to work with. While waiting for your funding to be allocated, you can start searching for a provider and decide how you want to manage your funding, including whether you want to self-manage your Support at Home.
Once your funding is available, you can contact your provider to start the sign-on process. You’ll work with them to implement your care plan and decide how to use your budget. Your provider will coordinate and manage those services for you, with care management fees capped at 10%. Support at Home offers 8 classification levels with annual budgets ranging from approximately $11,000 to $78,000, split into quarterly allocations. You can carry over up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget between quarters to meet unplanned needs.
Residential aged care
This type of aged care support may be the best option for older people who have more intensive healthcare and personal care needs that mean they aren’t able to live in their own home. In residential aged care, you don’t have to give up your needs and interests regarding social and emotional support either. That’s part of the deal. Residential aged care is also available for those who need short-term care, for example, respite care, to give family member carers some time out.
As with all forms of aged care, the Commonwealth government funds residential aged care for all eligible people aged 65 plus (or 50 years and over for Indigenous Australians). To find out whether you’re eligible, you’ll need to apply for an aged care assessment. Regardless of your eligibility, you’ll pay the residential home a basic daily fee. Above that, the costs you’ll pay will depend on your financial situation.
You can find out more about costs, or apply for subsidised residential aged care.
FAQs
Why is aged care important in Australia?
The aged care system ensures all Australians can get the support they need to stay safe, healthy and independent as they grow older.
Who is eligible for aged care services in Australia?
Broadly speaking, seniors aged 65 years and over, or Indigenous Australians aged 50 years and over, who are assessed as eligible for aged care services.
What are the three main types of aged care services in Australia?
The Support at Home program, Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), and residential aged care.