Support at Home: A guide to home care services in Australia
Contents
What is the Support at Home program?
What is home care?
Who is eligible for Support at Home?
How does Support at Home funding work?
What is the process to access Support at Home?
Common challenges with Support at Home
Support at Home vs Residential Aged Care
Choosing a Support at Home provider
How CareOptions can help
The Support at Home program is the Australian Government’s framework for delivering in-home aged care services to older Australians who want to remain living independently at home.
It replaces and consolidates previous home care arrangements into a more structured system designed to:
Simplify funding categories
Improve access to support services
Align services more closely with assessed care needs
Provide greater flexibility in how care is delivered
Support at Home focuses on enabling older Australians to age safely in their own homes, rather than moving into residential aged care.
Home care refers to services delivered in a person’s home to assist with daily living, health, mobility, and wellbeing.
Under the Support at Home framework, home care can include a combination of:
Personal care (showering, dressing, grooming)
Domestic assistance (cleaning, laundry, meal preparation)
Clinical and nursing services
Allied health services
Medication support
Transport and community access
Mobility assistance and equipment support
Home safety modifications
Services are tailored to individual needs and may increase or decrease over time.
Support at Home is generally available to older Australians who:
Are experiencing difficulty with daily activities
Have health, mobility, or cognitive challenges
Require ongoing support to remain safely at home
Eligibility is typically determined through an aged care assessment.
Assessment outcomes help determine:
The level of support required
Types of services appropriate
Funding allocation
If you are unsure whether you are eligible, understanding your situation is the first step.
The Support at Home program provides funding aligned to assessed care needs.
Funding levels are designed to reflect the intensity and complexity of support required.
Depending on assessment outcomes, funding may cover:
Core personal and domestic support
Clinical services
Equipment and assistive technology
Short-term or restorative care
Individuals may be required to contribute financially depending on circumstances and the services accessed.
Funding arrangements and wait times can vary.
Accessing Support at Home typically involves several steps:
Initial Enquiry
A person or family member raises the need for support.
Assessment
An aged care assessment is conducted to determine eligibility and level of support required.
Approval & funding allocation
Funding is allocated based on assessed needs.
Choosing a provider
Individuals select an approved home care provider who delivers the agreed services.
Ongoing support
Care plans can be adjusted as needs change.
This process can sometimes feel complex or unclear — particularly when navigating provider availability.
Many families report difficulties such as:
Understanding assessment requirements
Long wait times
Providers without capacity
Confusion about funding levels
Uncertainty about which provider is suitable
These challenges are common across Australia.
Clear guidance and structured intake can help reduce friction in the process.
Support at Home allows individuals to:
Remain in their own home
Maintain independence
Receive flexible, tailored support
Residential aged care involves moving into a full-time care facility.
For many people, remaining at home is the preferred option if safe and appropriate.
When selecting a provider, families often consider:
Service availability in their area
Types of care offered
Responsiveness and communication
Flexibility of care plans
Experience with similar care needs
Not all providers have capacity at all times.
Understanding current availability is often a key factor.
CareOptions is an independent support navigation service designed to help families explore suitable Support at Home options.
We help by:
Understanding your care needs
Identifying suitable service options
Connecting you with providers who may have availability
CareOptions does not provide care services directly and does not replace government assessments, but can help simplify the process of exploring next steps.
Not sure where to start with Support at Home?
If you're exploring home care options and want help understanding what support may be available in your area, you can complete our short intake.
It helps clarify:
Type of support required
Location and service area
Timing
Funding or assessment status
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Support at Home and Home Care Packages?
Support at Home replaces previous home care funding arrangements and aims to streamline how in-home aged care services are delivered.
Do I need an assessment for Support at Home?
How long does it take to access Support at Home services?
Can I choose my Support at Home provider?
Can Support at Home funding change over time?