The Australian Government has officially announced a delay in the start of the new Aged Care Act, from its initial date of 1 July 2025 to 1 November 2025.
These guidelines explain how the Support at Home program works, who is eligible and how you can access quality home care services to help you live at home for longer, rather than enter residential aged care.
What is Support at Home?
Support at Home is the government funded home care program that will replace Home Care Packages and the Short-term Restorative Care Program on November 1, 2025.
A Support at Home funding package can help you pay for a wide range of in-home nursing care and assisted living services, as well as:
- certain 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.
How much funding you may receive depends on how your care needs are assessed and classified.
How does the Support at Home program work?
When you receive Support at Home, you are assigned a set, quarterly amount of money that you can use to help pay for in-home care services.
The program offers three service categories:
Clinical care: nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and continence support.
Independence support: assistance with showering, dressing, taking medications, and transportation.
Everyday living services: Help with cleaning, gardening, shopping, meal preparation, and respite care.
The government covers 100% of the cost of clinical care delivery. Your out-of-pocket costs for independence supports and everyday living services depends on your assessed circumstances.
Services are organised and delivered by a Support at Home provider who:
- allocates a dedicated Care Coordinator to work with you (or your family or other support people if necessary) to create a care plan that aligns with your needs.
- organises and schedule your services.
- helps you make the most of the budget you are allocated.
- adjusts your care plan and services when your needs change.
How do I find a good Home Care provider?
Aged Care Decisions can assist you to find a home care provider you’ll love.
Our 100% FREE service can match your location, budget, care needs and personal preferences with home care providers that suit your specific needs. We do the running around for you – and it costs you NOTHING.
Connect with us now to get started.
Here’s how our service works:
What home care services I can receive?
The Support at Home program can help fund a comprehensive range of services, including:
- Personal care: help with dressing, showering, grooming
- Domestic assistance: house cleaning, laundry, meal preparation
- Nursing and health care: medication management, wound care, medical visits
- Allied health services: physiotherapy, occupational therapy
- Social and community participation: transport, social activities
- Respite care: for carers who need a break.
Read more: What can a Home Care Package pay for?
https://agedcaredecisions.com.au/what-can-my-home-care-package-be-used-for/
How much care can Support at Home pay for?
If you’re eligible for Support at Home services, you’ll be assigned one of eight classification levels. Each level determines the government funding you will receive to access ongoing in-home services.
If you don’t use your full budget for a quarter, you can carry over up to $1,000 or 10% of your allocation (whichever is greater) into the next quarter.
Budgets for each classification level are allocated quarterly:
| Classification | Quarterly Budget | Annual Amount |
| 1 | $2,674.18 | $10,696.72 |
| 2 | $3,995.42 | $15,981.68 |
| 3 | $5,479.94 | $21,919.77 |
| 4 | $7,386.33 | $29,545.33 |
| 5 | $9,883.76 | $39,535.04 |
| 6 | $11,989.35 | $47,957.41 |
| 7 | $14,530.53 | $58,122.13 |
| 8 | $19,427.25 | $77,709.00 |
*Please note that amounts are current as of 4 June 2025 and are subject to indexation.
What will I have to pay for my home care services?
Support at Home divides services into three categories, each with different out-of-pocket costs.
The government covers the cost of all clinical care services. What you need to pay towards any independence and daily living supports you receive depends on your circumstances. Each providers sets their own pricing for services.
Each providers sets their own pricing for services.
Choosing a provider that delivers quality service, as well as value for money, will ensure you get the maximum hours of care possible within your budget allocation.
Read more: How to choose a good home care provider
https://agedcaredecisions.com.au/how-to-choose-a-home-care-provider/
How to apply for Support at Home?
All aged care funding programs are now completed by the same assessors.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, the next steps are:
- Assessment: Your care needs and eligibility are assessed by My Aged Care.
- Referral: A referral code is issued, and you can choose a home care provider to help deliver your services.
- Fund Allocation: Once your referral code is activated, your Support at Home funding is allocated, and services can begin.
Read more: Aged care assessments
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/assessment
What you should expect from your Support at Home provider?
Your provider allocates you with a dedicated Care Coordinator, who is your central point of contact.
Your Care Coordinator:
- Helps you decide which services you will receive.
- Organises and coordinates the delivery of your in-home care services.
- Helps you to navigate the system.
- Ensures that your services are always delivered as planned.
- Makes sure your services match your care needs as they change.
To make the most of your Support at Home budget and get the maximum hours of care that you’re entitled to, it’s crucial that you choose a good provider.
You have the freedom to choose who provides your care, and you can change providers at any time, at no cost.
Aged Care Decisions can assist you to find and compare home care providers, with less stress, less running around and at ZERO cost to you.
Our custom-built software takes your care needs, location, budget, and personal preferences, and matches you with appropriate and available home care providers.
We will create a tailored Options Report that you can use to start comparing home care providers in your area. When you’ve chosen your favourites, we can organise meetings and assist you to onboard a home care provider you’ll love.
