The aim of Support at Home is to help older individuals stay in their homes for longer by improving the quality and accessibility of care. It’s part of the government’s response to the Aged Care Royal Commission and focuses on:
- Better access to services, equipment, and home modifications
- Stricter rules for home care providers
- Shorter wait times for getting support
- More funding levels for complex needs and better support for people at the end of life with the End-of-Life Pathway.
- Aged 65 or over
- An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person aged 50 or over
- Aged 50 or over and homeless, or at risk of homelessness
Older people will be assessed for care through a new national system called the Single Assessment System, using a tool called the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT).
This tool helps assessors understand your needs and recommend the right support for you.
If you’re applying for home care, contact My Aged Care through the My Aged Care website or by calling 1800 200 422.
If you’re found eligible, an assessor will work with you to create a personalised support plan based on your health, lifestyle and goals.
If approved, you’ll receive a support plan and notice of decision, which will include:
- A summary of your needs and goals
- A care budget provided every three months
- Any short-term help you may need, such as home modifications, equipment, short-term care or end-of-life support
You can then share your plan with a care provider such as us here at Southern Cross Care to get the right help at home.
The way funding works under the Support at Home program is that:
- The Australian Government will still cover health-related costs
- Funding allocated will continue to depend on individual care needs
You can find more information about pricing in our Support at Home Pricing document.
Under the Support at Home program, seniors with the means to pay will be expected to contribute more toward their care.
You’ll only pay for the services and items you actually use. Here’s how it works:
- For services, like personal care, you’ll pay based on either the hourly rate or a percentage of the total cost.
- E.g. If you receive two hours of personal care, you’ll pay a set amount for each hour.
- For items, like consumables or equipment, your cost will be a percentage of the price.
How much you pay will depend on:
- The Type of Support or Product you receive
- Clinical Supports Category – No Contribution
- Clinical care services like nursing and physiotherapy will be fully covered by the government for everyone in the Support at Home program.
- Independence Category– Moderate Contribution
- Help that keeps you out of hospital or aged care, like personal care, assistive technology, or home modifications, will come with a moderate fee.
- Everyday Living Services Category – Highest Cost
- Services like domestic assistance or gardening will require the biggest contribution from you.
- Noting that the government does not typically fund these services for any individual at other stages of life.
- Your Financial Situation
- Age Pension Status, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card Eligibility and Financial Means
- This approach will differ from the current Home Care Packages Program fee structure, where the basic daily fee and income-tested care fee remain fixed regardless of the level of services accessed. Please refer to the table below.
This system is designed to make contributions fair and based on what you use and can afford.
You can find more information in our Support at Home Handbook.
If you move into residential care, your current fee rules stay unless you choose to switch to the new program contribution arrangements. Accommodation payments may still change as they’re set with the provider.
Also, there’s a lifetime cap, you’ll never pay more than $130,000 for non-medical care, whether at home or in residential care.
The Support at Home program offers eight levels of support, compared to four under the old system.
The highest level provides up to $78,000 per year, plus access to two short-term care options. (Current Home Care Package Level 4 offers up to $61,400.)
Your support level will be based on an assessment of your care needs.
If you’re already receiving home care or are on the National Priority System, you’ll keep your current funding level until you’re reassessed under the new system.
| Classification | Quarterly Budget | Annual Amount |
| 1 | ~$2,750 | ~$11,000 |
| 2 | ~$4,000 | ~$16,000 |
| 3 | ~$5,500 | ~$22,000 |
| 4 | ~$7,500 | ~$30,000 |
| 5 | ~$10,000 | ~$40,000 |
| 6 | ~$12,000 | ~$48,000 |
| 7 | ~$14,500 | ~$58,000 |
| 8 | ~$19,500 | ~$78,000 |
| End-of-Life Pathway | ~$25,000 (12 weeks) | |
Support at Home participants will also benefit from access to the Short-Term End-of-Life Pathway.
End-of-Life Pathway
For those wishing to spend their final months in the comfort of their own home, this pathway offers additional support and services during the last three months of life, respecting personal preferences and enhancing quality of care during this time.
In addition to the eight levels of ongoing support and the short-term End-of-Life Pathway, the Support at Home program will also include a three-tiered funding model for assistive technology and home modifications (AT-HM Scheme), which is outlined in the following section.
Support at Home will have a clear list of services to help older people and providers understand what’s available. The services are grouped into three categories:
- Clinical Care – like nursing
- Independence – like help with showering
- Everyday Living – like house cleaning or gardening
Each category has different types of services and rules about how much participants may need to contribute.
You won’t automatically get all services on the list. An assessment will decide what you’re eligible for, and these services will be included in your support plan and notice of decision.
To learn more, check pages 16 to 31 of the Support at Home Handbook.
The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) will work with the government to set these prices to make sure they’re fair and consistent. The price caps will cover all costs, including admin, so providers won’t be able to charge extra admin fees separately.
Support at Home quarterly budget for ongoing services
Under Support at Home, your yearly funding will be split into four equal parts – one for each quarter of the year. Your funds will be managed by Services Australia in your name.
If you don’t use all your funds in a quarter, you can carry over up to $1,000 or 10% (whichever is more) to the next quarter for unexpected needs.
You can only spend your budget on approved services listed in your support plan.
Providers will invoice by service against a participant’s quarterly budget for services delivered.
Support at Home offers separate funding for equipment, products, and home modifications to help you stay safe and independent at home.
If an assessment shows you need assistive technology or home changes, this will be included in your support plan. You’ll share the plan with your provider, who will arrange everything – including setup, training or any needed health professional input.
There will be three funding tiers for assistive tech and three for home modifications. Each tier has a time limit for using the funds – unused money won’t roll over.
Funding (up to $15,000) can cover:
- products and equipment
- home modifications
- prescription by health professionals
- setup and training
- coordination costs
You may be asked to co-contribute depending on the item or service.
| Assistive Technology Funding Tier | Funding allocation cap | Time allocated to expend funding |
| Low | $500 | 12 months |
| Medium | $2,000 | 12 months |
| High | $15,000* | 12 months |
* Higher amounts for AT may be approved with prescription.
| Home Modifications Funding Tier | Funding allocation cap | Time allocated to spend funding |
| Low | $500 | 12 months |
| Medium | $2,000 | 12 months |
| High | $15,000 | 12 months |
You can find more information in our Support at Home Handbook.
If you’d like more information, visit our Home & Community Services page.
Alternatively, you can call us on (03) 6185 0700 or fcomplete our contact form.