**From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home Program will replace the Home Care Package Program, introducing major changes to how home care is delivered and managed. Please refer to the latest information here Support at Home Package – Everything you need to know.
Not sure what you can actually spend your Aged Package on? (Now known as Support at Home)
You’re not alone.
Most people don’t realise what’s not covered until it’s too late.
This quick guide explains what’s included, what to watch out for, and how to avoid common mistakes that cost families time and money.
What can I spend my Aged Care Package on?
A Support at Home Package (formerly known as a Home Care Package) can be used to pay for approved services and supports that help an older person live safely and independently at home. Funding must relate directly to the person’s assessed care needs and be included in their individual care plan.
The exact services you can access depend on your package level and how your provider structures your care plan.
Services commonly funded under a Home Care Package
Depending on your level of funding, a Support at Home Package may be used to cover the following categories of support:
| Support type | What this can include |
|---|---|
| Medical care | Visits from a registered nurse who can provide medical attention for chronic conditions. Support may also include medication management and wound care, delivered by a registered nurse or qualified carer depending on the task. |
| Personal care and grooming | Regular visits to assist with showering, shaving, hair care, and basic nail care. |
| Home administration | Help with household paperwork, bill payments, and administrative tasks where eyesight or mobility is declining. |
| Chores and housekeeping | Household cleaning, dishwashing, laundry, bed linen changes, and general tidying. |
| Garden maintenance | Light gardening tasks related to safety and access, such as lawn mowing, weeding established garden beds, and basic yard clearance. More extensive gardening remains the homeowner’s responsibility. |
| Home maintenance | Minor home maintenance services, including small-scale electrical work and plumbing. |
| Shopping and meal preparation | Assistance with shopping and transport, as well as help with meal preparation. In limited cases, packages may contribute to specialised dietary foods or supplements. |
| Home delivered meals | Subsidised meals through approved meal delivery services, with providers often covering a portion of the cost. |
| Travel support | Transport and personal assistance to attend shopping, medical appointments, or social activities. |
| Goods, equipment, and assistive technology | Items that support safety and daily living, such as shower chairs, specialised utensils, personal alarms, sensor mats, bed rails, lifting aids, and modified appliances. |
| Mobility aids | Walking frames, wheelchairs, lift chairs, and mobility scooters where included in the individual care plan. |
| Home modifications | Clinically justified modifications that improve safety and accessibility, such as grab rails, widened doorways, step-free showers, or ambulant toilets. |
| Allied health services | Services such as physiotherapy, podiatry, chiropractic care, hydrotherapy, and remedial massage where required due to age-related functional decline and not funded elsewhere. |
| Dementia care | Dementia-specific therapies and supports for people living with dementia. |
| Social support and companionship | Regular visits for companionship, help staying socially connected, and support attending community activities. |
| Continence support | Continence aids, pads, catheters, and toileting support where listed in the care plan. |
| Cognitive and memory support | Assistance with memory prompts, daily routines, and communication strategies for people experiencing cognitive decline. |
| Mobility assistance | Help with moving safely around the home, transfers from beds or chairs, and using mobility aids. |
| Help with eating and unpacking groceries | Support with eating where required, as well as unpacking and storing groceries. |
| Essential technology | Basic phone or internet plans used for emergency systems or care coordination where required for safety. |
| Carer support | Support for unpaid carers, including in-home respite, carer coaching, or emotional support where identified in the care plan. |
| Monitoring and telehealth tools | Emergency call systems, remote monitoring devices, and telehealth tools where they improve safety or reduce health risks. |
Please note, from 1 November 2025, the Australian Government will replace the current Home Care Packages (and Short‑Term Restorative Care) with the new Support at Home program.
This means if you are not currently receiving a Home Care Package, the services your funding can cover may change.
Other Support at Home services your package can pay for
In addition to clinical care, independence support, and everyday living, Support at Home packages can also fund a range of other services.
These extras provide flexibility and ensure you get the right care when you need it most.
Assistive technology
If an assistive technology device, equipment or product can address an assessed need that you have documented in your care plan, you may be able to access funding for up to $15,000 in assistive technology without having to “save up” your budget.
Assistive technology can include:
- Mobility scooters, wheelchairs, and walking frames
- Shoehorns, zipper pullers, positioning pillows
- Braces, splints, anti-oedema stockings
- Non-slip bathmats, shower chairs
- Bedpans, commodes, and toilet paper grips
- Vehicle accessories
- Hoists, lifting devices, harnesses and slide sheets
- Modified eating and drinking utensils
- Mattress covers, bed rails, blanket supports
Assistive technology can also include digital tools, such as reminder apps or smart home devices, when they directly support care goals.
Home modifications
Support at Home can also fund home modifications to make your home safer and more accessible, if the modifications address a need documented in your care plan. You can access funds for home modifications without having to “save up” your budget.
Home modifications can include:
- Ramps and stair lifts
- Handrails
- Accessible toilets, showers, and wash basins
- Safety barriers, non-slip floor coverings
- Door openers and closers
- Modified lighting and remote controls
Read more: Assistive technology and home modifications list
Restorative Care Pathway
This 12-week program can deliver around $6,000 in extra home care services to help you recover from an injury or illness and maintain or regain your independence.
Read more: What is the Restorative Care Pathway?
End-of-Life Pathway
This 12-week program will fund up to $25,000 in extra home care services for people who wish to remain in their own homes with their family as they near the end of their life.
This additional funding will assist people who are assessed as having 3 months or less to live, and services can be delivered by their usual provider.
Read more: Support at Home End-of-Life Pathway
What’s not included in a Aged Care Package?
Aged Care Packages cannot be used for general living expenses, everyday household items, or costs already funded through other government programs.
Common exclusions include:
| Not covered | Why it is excluded |
|---|---|
| Groceries | Everyday groceries are excluded, except for medically prescribed supplementary food products and formulas required for enteral feeding. |
| Day-to-day bills | Household expenses such as electricity, water, petrol, and car registration are not funded. |
| Medications | Prescription and over-the-counter medicines are excluded, as these are funded through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and public hospitals. Non-PBS medicines and cannabis products are also excluded. |
| Services funded under other government programs | Items or services covered by the Medicare Benefits Schedule, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, or other government-funded programs cannot be paid for using a Home Care Package. |
| Non-essential home modifications or capital items | Cosmetic or lifestyle upgrades such as premium tiles, heated towel rails, flooring replacements, heating and cooling systems, major layout changes, or water tank and hot water system replacements are excluded. |
| Household appliances | White goods such as fridges and most household appliances are not covered. Limited exceptions may apply in cases of severe clinical need, such as incontinence-related equipment or specialised frailty aids. |
| Personal electronics | Laptops, mobile phones, and similar devices are excluded, along with general phone and internet costs. Limited exceptions may apply in cases involving safety, homelessness, medication management, or significant social isolation. |
| Entertainment expenses | Costs such as club memberships, event tickets, and gambling-related expenses are not funded. |
IMPORTANT: Be sure to clarify what is and is not covered by your package directly with your Home Care Provider.
Extra subsidies and supplements
If you or your loved one could use further help, you may be eligible for subsidies and supplements that provide additional support for people with specific conditions.
Read more: Are you eligible for additional home care supplements? (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
How to find Support at Home Package Providers near me:
Aged Care Decisions provides a FREE service that can help you find Support at Home Package providers in your area, that suit your needs.
How does Support at Home work?
Support at Home is the Australian Government’s in-home aged care program that provides funding for approved services to help older people live safely and independently at home.
If everyday tasks such as showering, shopping, managing medications, or household cleaning become difficult, you or your loved one may be eligible for Support at Home following an aged care assessment.
Funding is allocated based on assessed care needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all package. The higher the level of support required, the more funding is available to cover appropriate services.
People can enter Support at Home at different funding levels depending on their circumstances. As needs change over time, reassessments can be requested to adjust the level of support.
While funding levels set the overall budget, the services you actually receive depend on how your care plan is structured and the fees charged by your chosen provider. This means outcomes can vary between providers, even at the same funding level.
Below is a general guide to get you started.
What is the difference between Support at Home Classifications?
Under the Support at Home program, ongoing care is funded across eight support levels, based on the complexity, frequency, and intensity of care a person needs to live safely at home.
Rather than four broad package levels, Support at Home uses a more graduated system to better match funding to real care needs.
Levels 1–2 are designed for people with lower support needs, such as help with domestic tasks, shopping, transport, or occasional personal care.
Levels 3–4 provide moderate support and may include more regular personal care, domestic assistance, and some allied health or clinical services.
Levels 5–6 support people with higher or ongoing needs, often involving frequent personal care, mobility assistance, and some nursing or clinical input.
Levels 7–8 are intended for people with complex or intensive care needs and can include daily or multiple daily visits, nursing support, continence care, mobility assistance, and closer clinical oversight.
The support level determines the overall funding available, but not the exact services provided. Services are set through an individual care plan and can vary depending on provider fees, care management costs, and how supports are prioritised.
As care needs change, reassessments can be requested to determine whether a different support level is more appropriate.
Learn more: Support at Home Classifications 1-8
Who is eligible for a Support at Home Package?
You may be eligible for Support at Home if you need help to continue living safely and independently at home and meet the Australian Government’s aged care eligibility criteria.
In most cases, this means you:
Are 65 years or older, or 50 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and
Have care needs that cannot be managed without some level of ongoing support at home.
Younger people with conditions such as dementia, disability, chronic illness, or functional decline may also be eligible if their needs are not met through other specialist services.
Eligibility is determined through a government-funded aged care assessment, which considers factors such as your health, mobility, ability to manage daily tasks, cognitive function, living situation, and personal safety.
You can use the My Aged Care eligibility checker to see whether you are likely to qualify for an assessment before applying.
Learn more: Support at Home Eligibility Explained for Families & Carers
How do I apply for Support at Home?
To access Support at Home, you need to complete a government-funded aged care assessment through My Aged Care.
You can start the process in one of the following ways:
Ask your GP to submit a referral on your behalf, or
Contact My Aged Care directly to request an assessment.
Assessments are carried out by trained assessors using the Single Assessment System, which is now used nationally for aged care services.
If you or your loved one are currently in hospital or rehabilitation, the hospital care team can arrange or fast-track an assessment before discharge. This can help ensure supports are in place as soon as you return home.
Once the assessment is complete and eligibility is confirmed, you will be assigned a Support at Home funding level and can begin arranging services with an approved provider.
Learn more: How to apply for Support at Home (Step-by-Step Guide)
What happens during an aged care assessment?
An aged care assessment is a structured conversation designed to understand what support you need to live safely at home, now and into the future.
During the assessment, the assessor will ask about areas such as:
Your living arrangements and support network
Daily activities and social engagement
Your ability to manage personal care and household tasks
Mobility, balance, and risk of falls
Memory and cognitive changes
Home and personal safety
Current health conditions, medications, and supports already in place
With your consent, the assessor may also speak with your GP, other health professionals, or family members to build a complete picture of your needs.
Using this information, the assessor will determine:
Whether you are eligible for Support at Home
Your appropriate support level (from the eight ongoing levels)
The types of services your funding can be used for
The outcome of the assessment forms the basis of your care plan and can be reviewed if your needs change over time.
Who pays for home care?
Home Care Packages are a form of Government funding for those who need additional financial support for care at home.
Each level of Home Care Package equates to a different annual amount of money assigned to the recipient. The money is paid directly to a Home Care Provider of your choice, which in turn is allocated to the services you have agreed upon with the Home Care Provider.
Self-funded retirees may be asked to contribute to some of the cost of a Home Care Package.
Any person at any time can pay for home care services privately.
Currently there is a long wait for the assignment of Home Care Packages. If you feel that you or your loved one may soon need support at home, and you would like to have an Aged Care Package allocated to you, it’s important to have an assessment as soon as practical so you can take your place in the queue.
This guide to My Aged Care presents more detailed information about how to pay for home care:
All about My Aged Care – Aged Care Decisions
How can I find Support at Home Package Providers near me?
Aged Care Decisions can help you find Support at Home Providers, as well as provide valuable support and professional advice.
We are a FREE and independent service that can help you find Support at Home Package providers that suit your unique needs.
Home Care Providers pay us a set fee – which is the same for every provider – so we have no reason to recommend one provider over another. Our service is 100% independent, unbiased, and free for families.
Contact Aged Care Decisions now to receive a personalised aged care Options Report – with less stress and hassle, and at no cost to you.
FAQs about what your Home Care Package can and cannot cover
Can I get a mobility scooter from my aged care package?
Yes, you can buy a mobility scooter with your home care package. You can also use part of your annual aged care package budget to purchase mobility aids such as walking frames, walking sticks, lift chairs, wheelchairs or crutches.
Your package can also pay for practical aids to assist you to eat, shower, get in and out of bed, and feel safer and more comfortable in your home.
Can I buy a computer with my home care package?
No. Electronics including laptops, computers and phones cannot be purchased with home care package funds. Telephone and internet connection costs are also excluded.
Can a home care package pay for respite?
Yes. You can use home care package funds to pay for residential respite care if you have enough funds in your package to cover the cost of the care. However, home care package funds can only be used to pay for respite at available facilities with private beds. Your home care package provider can help you find a facility in which you can use your package funds for respite care.
While you are in an aged care facility during a period of respite care, your home care package will be temporarily suspended, and will be re-started when you return home.
Can I buy a TV with my home care package?
No. Your home care package budget must be used on items and services that directly relate to your care needs. Household appliances such as a TV, fridge, and other white goods cannot be purchased with home care package funds.
Can you hire a nurse for home care?
Yes. Your home care package can pay for home visits from a registered nurse. You can also receive home visits from speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and other allied health professionals.
Can I buy an iPad with my home care package?
Maybe. Electronic goods such as computers and iPads cannot usually be bought with home care package funds. However, an exception may be made if using an iPad directly relates to your care needs. Examples may include using an iPad for medication management or to reduce social isolation.
Your ACAT assessor can determine whether an iPad can be included in your care plan and therefore be funded by your home care package.
Can I buy a vacuum cleaner with my home care package?
No. A household appliance such as a fridge, TV, washing machine or vacuum cannot be purchased with home care package funds.
