We answer 20 of the most frequently asked questions about Support at Home so you can make the most of your government funded home care entitlement.

1. What is the Support at Home program?
Support at Home is the government funded home care program that will replace Home Care Packages and the Short-term Restorative Care Program on 1 November 2025. CHSP will merge with Support at Home after 1 July 2027.
2. How much will Support at Home pay for?
If you’re eligible for Support at Home services, you’ll be assigned one of eight classification levels. Budgets range from around $10,000 to $78,000 per year. What classification level you are allocated depends on the results of your aged care assessment.
3. What will Support at Home pay for?
Support at Home can help you pay for a wide range of in-home nursing care and assisted living services, as well as:
- home modifications such as ramps and shower rails
- assistive technology like mobility scooters and hoists
- support to help you recover from a hospital stay, injury or illness
- end of life supports.
4. Can I buy big ticket items with my Support at Home budget?
Yes. You can use your budget to pay for bigger items like home modifications or a mobility scooter. Your home care provider will work with you to make sure your budget covers what you need. You can also carry over up to $1,000 or 10% of your allocation (whichever is greater) from one quarter to the next.
5. Who is eligible for Support at Home?
To be eligible for Support at Home you must be:
- aged 65 years or over (50 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
- living at home (not in residential aged care)
- an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- assessed by My Aged Care as someone who needs home care services.
You can quickly check if you’re eligible using My Aged Care’s online eligibility checker.
Our custom software can take your care needs, location, budget, and personal preferences and match you with available home care providers in your area. We can then send you a tailored options report that you can use to compare different home care providers quickly and easily.
6. How do I apply for Support at Home?
You can organise an assessment by calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or apply online here: Apply for an aged care assessment | My Aged Care . A doctor or other health professional can also refer you to My Aged Care for an assessment.
7. What happens during the Support at Home assessment?
A member of the My Aged Care assessment team, usually a nurse, social worker, or health care professional, will visit you in your home. They’ll look at the way you manage day-to-day activities and speak with you about what aged care services will be best to help you. The assessment usually takes between 1-3 hours.
Read more: How to prepare for an aged care assessment
8. How long will it take to get home care services?
Wait times are generally between 3-6 months but can be as long as 12 months, depending on national demand. You can check the progress of your application or assessment by calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or by logging into your My Aged Care online account.
Read more: My Aged Care Online Account | A Simple Guide
9. What happens if my needs change?
Your home care needs will naturally evolve over time. As they do, your home care provider should work with you evaluate and adjust the combination of services you receive. If your care needs increase significantly your My Aged Care assessor may increase your Support at Home classification so you can receive more funding.
10. How do I find a good home care provider?
Your provider should help you make the most of your Support at Home budget and deliver the maximum hours of quality care that you’re entitled to. That’s why it’s so important to choose a good one.
Aged Care Decisions assists tens of thousands of Australian families to find and secure reliable, high quality home care providers. Our service fast, easy, completely independent and 100% free for families. Our team are ready to help you find a home care provider you love!
11. How much will I pay for my home care?
Support at Home will divide services into three categories, each with different out-of-pocket costs.
- Clinical care: the government will cover 100% of the cost of nursing and allied health services.
- Independence: you will pay between 5%-50% of the cost of personal care, social support services and home modifications.
- Daily living: you will pay between 17.5%-80% for domestic assistance, meal preparation and help with shopping.
Please note: The percentage you’ll pay for Independence and Daily Living service categories will depend on your financial status — whether you receive a full pension, a part pension, or are self-funded. In addition, Each provider sets their own price for services.

12. What happens if I already have a Home Care Package?
If you have a Home Care Package you will automatically transfer to the Support at Home program on 1 November 2025. You will not need a new assessment unless your needs have changed, and you wish to apply for increased support.
The funding you receive as part of your Home Care Package will remain the same. Any unspent Home Care Package budget will carry over to your Support at Home account.
Your current provider will continue to deliver care under the new program, and you should not experience a “gap” in services.
13. If I’m on CHSP, will I switch to Support at Home?
The Commonwealth Home Support Program will merge with Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027. Until then, there will be no changes to the way your home care services are funded and delivered.
Read more: What is CHSP | The Commonwealth Home Support Program
14. What happens if I’m on the waiting list for a Home Care package?
If you’ve been assessed for a Home Care Package and are on the National Priority System (waiting list) before 1 November 2025, you will join Support at Home when a place becomes available. Your Support at Home budget will match the budget of the Home Care Package level you were approved for. You will not need to have a new assessment to get Support at Home.
15. How can I get urgent homecare support if I need it?
If you’re waiting for Support at Home but need urgent care, your application may be fast-tracked. Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to find out whether this option applies to your circumstances.
You can also apply to access temporary services through the Commonwealth Home Support Program. Alternatively, you can pay (out of pocket) for private care or ask your GP to connect you with community supports and volunteer organisations in your area.
16. What happens to my Support at Home budget if I go to hospital, or on holidays?
If you are in hospital or on holidays your Support at Home funds will still accumulate, but your services will pause. You won’t pay for services, but you will still pay the administration fee to your provider while you are away from home. If you need to pause services for more than 28 days your subsidy may be reduced.
17. How long can I get Support at Home?
You can receive Support at Home for as long as you need it. You don’t need to renew your application each year. It continues automatically. If you move into residential aged care, your Support at Home payments will cease, and your My Aged Care assessor will assist with your transition. You can cancel your Support at Home payments by advising My Aged Care that you no longer need home care services.
18. Can my spouse and I get Support at Home at the same time?
Yes. If you and your spouse live together and both need home care services, you can be assessed individually, and each receive your own care plan and Support at Home allocation.
You can pool your resources when your care needs overlap. For example, if you are both assessed as needing assistance with housework, your Support at Home budgets can share the cost of a cleaning service.
19. Can I self-manage my Support at Home package?
Yes, but how you self-manage your home care will change. The Support at Home program will require self-managed home care recipients to follow different rules, apply more structure to care coordination and accept more provider involvement than under the current Home Care Package program.
20. Can I change providers if I’m unhappy?
If you’re not feeling happy with your current provider, you do have the option to change. But often, the best place to start is with a simple conversation — sometimes once they know what’s not working, things can be sorted out.
If you’ve already had that chat and still feel you want to change, you’re free to look at other providers. There are no exit fees, and any unspent funds in your Support at Home budget come with you. Your new provider can start coordinating your services straight away, so there’s no gap in your support.
At the end of the day, it’s about making sure your care feels right for you.
Aged Care Decisions can help you find and compare Home Care Package Providers, with less stress, less running around and at ZERO cost to you.
Here’s how our FREE service works:
We regularly share the most up-to-date home care news and information with our families. We can help you to understand exactly how home care is changing and how the changes will affect you.
Our home care support service is 100% free, independent and obligation free.