In this guide:
Launched 1 November 2025, Support at Home is the program from the Australian Government that helps older people access care services so they can live independently at home for longer.
It replaced the Home Care Package (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs.
The program has been designed to make in-home aged care more personalised, effective and easier to access.
Key changes include:
- A wider range of package classifications to better suit a person’s individual needs, including higher levels of care.
- Faster access to help, with a simpler assessment process and shorter wait times.
- Upfront funding to preventative support with the Assistive Technology and Home Modification (AT-HM) Scheme.
- New and improved short-term options, with an expanded Restorative Care Pathway and End-of-Life Pathway.
Support at Home was developed in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. It works alongside the new Aged Care Act to bring in a new approach to regulation and care that puts the rights of older people first.
How to get started with Support at Home
3 groups of Australians may be eligible to be assessed for the Support at Home program:
- People over the age of 65
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 50
- People over the age of 50 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
If you’re eligible, you will be assessed under the Single Assessment System (SAS). An assessor will meet with you at home or in hospital if needed. They will chat with you about your needs and goals, then help create a support plan that’s right for you.
Once approved, you’ll receive your Support at Home funding classification and a notification when your funds are ready to use. You’ll need to choose a Support at Home provider to manage your funds.
Your provider will work with you to:
- Select services that best meet your assessed needs and goals, within your quarterly budget.
- Arrange and source suitable assistive technology and/or home modifications.
- Support you to self-manage your care and services if you’d like to.
As a Support at Home participant, you don’t receive the money directly in hand. Rather, it is administered by a registered provider, who pays for the services you would receive out of your package.
Find out more about accessing Support at Home funding.
Support at Home funding explained
Support at Home has 8 funding classifications, ranging from basic care needs (Classification 1) to high-level care needs (Classification 8). An independent assessor from the Single Assessment System will decide which classification of Support at Home funding is best suited to you.
There are also 3 short term care options: the Restorative Care Pathway, the End-of-Life Pathway and 3 funding levels for assistive technology and home modifications (AT-HM).
Each year, your annual budget will be allocated to you quarterly. 10% of this quarterly budget will be set aside with your provider to deliver care management.
Learn more about the different funding classifications.
Services covered by Support at Home
Your Support at Home funding can be used on a wide range of services, depending on your support plan. These are grouped into 3 categories:
Clinical care
Independence
Everyday living
Such as cleaning, gardening, shopping and meal preparation.
Find out more about what your Support at Home funding can be used for.
Frequently asked questions
What changes if I previously had a Home Care Package?
If you had a Home Care Package prior to 1 November 2025, you will have automatically moved to the Support at Home program, and you will keep the same level of funding with the same provider.
There is a 'no-worse off principle' for those who were either receiving a Home Care Package, were on the National Priority System, or assessed as eligible for a package on 12 September 2024. Under Support at Home, you will make the same financial contributions, or lower, than you would through your Home Care Package.
If your needs change down the track, you will be re-assessed according to the Support at Home classifications.
Will there be any changes to CHSP under Support at home?
Not yet. People receiving support through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will transition to Support at Home from 1 July 2027.
What does Support at Home not include?
Support at Home doesn't include funds for things like mortgage payments, travel and accommodation for holidays, gambling, pet care, buying groceries, etc.
For more information on this, visit My Aged Care.
What if I'm not eligible for Support at Home?
You can find support through Mable, and pay privately for support services, even if you're not eligible for Support at Home. Find out more about paying privately through Mable.
Can Support at Home funding pay for respite?
Respite care can be useful in giving you and your carer a break for a short period of time. Some types of respite care can be funded through Support at Home, while others can't. We recommend calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to confirm.
What will the Support at Home program cost me?
It's free for eligible older Australians to access Support at Home, although you may need to contribute to the services you receive.
Your contributions will be calculated based on 2 factors:
- The type of services received. At the moment:
- Clinical care (such as nursing) does not require a contribution
- Independence support (such as personal care) requires a moderate contribution
- Everyday living support (such as cleaning) requires a higher contribution
- Your financial situation:
- This includes age pension status, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card status and means testing.
This article, and any of our linked documents or articles, provides our summary of Support at Home terms and is intended for general purposes only. Please contact My Aged Care for information specific to your circumstances.