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Aged care has its own language, processes and funding rules. You only need enough information to make the next useful decision.
Understand the system without learning all of it.
Support at Home: funding, services and what to do next
Support at Home is the Australian Government program that funds approved in-home aged care. This guide brings together the practical parts families usually need next: assessment, funding, service types, contributions and choosing a provider.
Read guide →Funding & programsWhat is Support at Home?
Support at Home is the Australian Government’s in-home aged care program. Local Home Help brings together plain-English guidance about funding, approved services, contributions and choosing support.
Read guide →Funding & programsHow much does Support at Home cost?
Support at Home is government funded, but some people are required to contribute towards the cost of some services. The contribution depends on the person’s financial assessment and the type of service used.
Read guide →Choosing careSelf-managed vs provider-managed: what’s the difference?
How your care is managed affects how much involvement you have in choosing services, coordinating support and handling administration.
Read guide →Choosing a providerHow to choose a home help provider
Choosing a provider is easier when you first understand what help is needed, then compare how different providers actually deliver that support.
Read guide →Getting startedSigns an older person may need help at home
The need for help often appears gradually. Small changes in mobility, household tasks or daily routines can be useful signals that some extra support may help.
Read guide →Funding & programsWaiting for funding explained in plain English
Being approved confirms that your care needs have been assessed. Funding may still take time to be assigned before full services can begin.
Read guide →Funding & programsCHSP explained in plain English
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) provides entry-level support to help older Australians remain independent at home.
Read guide →Start with the type of support you are looking for.
Cleaning support at home
Cleaning and domestic assistance are among the most commonly used home care services. The aim is to help maintain hygiene and safety at home.
Explore support →Home supportPhysiotherapy & mobility support at home
Explore Local Home Help guidance about physiotherapy, mobility and staying safer and more independent at home.
Explore support →Home supportDementia & mental health support at home
Explore Local Home Help guidance about dementia, mental health and support that can help a person continue living at home.
Explore support →Home supportAfter hospital support at home
Returning home after a hospital stay can feel overwhelming. Short-term support can help with recovery, rebuilding strength and reducing avoidable setbacks.
Explore support →Home supportHome safety equipment & modifications
Explore Local Home Help guidance about equipment, assistive technology and home changes that can support safety and independence.
Explore support →Home supportPersonal care & daily living support
Explore Local Home Help guidance about personal care, daily routines and support with activities such as showering and dressing.
Explore support →Home supportChronic condition & health management
Explore Local Home Help guidance about ongoing health needs, clinical support and managing chronic conditions at home.
Explore support →Home supportRespite & short-term care at home
Explore Local Home Help guidance about respite, short-term support and giving carers a planned break while care continues safely.
Explore support →Home supportHome help & domestic assistance at home
Home help supports everyday household tasks that may become harder with age, illness or reduced mobility. For many people, practical help is one of the first supports they use.
Explore support →Go deeper when a short answer is not enough.
Longer guides on costs, provider choice and Support at Home, plus analysis of the aged care sector and standalone Provider Insights.
Costs, funding, comparing providers and understanding how care works.
For the sectorProvider & industry insightWhat is changing underneath the system and what it means operationally.
Consumer feedbackProvider InsightsRecurring positive themes in public feedback, with context and questions worth asking.
182 published Local Home Help answers.
Commonwealth Home Support Programme
20 questionsIn-Home Care & Support at Home
20 questionsServices You Can Use at Home
19 questionsNavigating the System & Eligibility
15 questionsSpecialised Care: Dementia, Respite & Palliative
15 questionsCosts, Contributions & Value
13 questionsChoosing & Changing Providers
12 questionsFinancials, Fees & Funding
12 questionsUnderstanding Support at Home
12 questionsAssessments, Waiting & Urgent Help
10 questionsCommunication, Rights & Practical Dilemmas
10 questionsSelf-Managed Home Care
10 questionsStaying Safe and Independent at Home
8 questionsFamily, Memory & Difficult Conversations
6 questionsQuestions people commonly need answered.
What is My Aged Care, and what do they do?
My Aged Care is the Australian Government's starting point for accessing government-funded aged care. It helps you understand your options, apply for an assessment, receive an assessment outcome and connect with providers, but you still choose which provider you want to use.
Read answer →Navigating the System & EligibilityHow do I start the process of getting aged care support?
You do not need to work out the aged care system before you start. The usual first step is to apply for an aged care assessment through My Aged Care. You can apply online or call 1800 200 422, then an assessor will work out what government-funded support may suit your needs.
Read answer →Navigating the System & EligibilityWhat is the difference between CHSP (Commonwealth Home Support Programme) and a Home Care Package (HCP)?
CHSP remains the entry-level home support program for people who generally need a smaller amount of help. Home Care Packages were replaced by Support at Home on 1 November 2025, so in 2026 the more useful comparison is CHSP versus Support at Home. People who previously had a Home Care Package were transitioned into the new system.
Read answer →Navigating the System & EligibilityHow do I know if I or my parent qualifies for government-funded aged care?
Qualifying for government-funded aged care in Australia is based on your age, care needs, and financial situation rather than just an automatic age milestone.
Read answer →Navigating the System & EligibilityHow do I apply for an aged care assessment?
To qualify for government-funded aged care, you or your parent must generally be aged 65 or older (or 50+ for Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander peoples) and need help with daily tasks. Eligibility is strictly determined by a free in-person Aged Care Needs Assessment, which is requested by applying through My Aged Care. Follow these concrete steps to check eligibility and get assessed:1.
Read answer →Navigating the System & EligibilityWhat is the difference between an RAS assessment and an ACAT assessment?
RAS and ACAT were the former names for different assessment pathways. Australia now uses a Single Assessment System, although people may still hear the older terms. The assessment you receive depends on the level and type of support you may need.
Read answer →Navigating the System & EligibilityHow long does it take to get an ACAT assessment appointment?
There is no guaranteed national appointment time. For assessments completed from January to March 2026, the national median wait was 25 days, but your wait may be shorter or longer depending on urgency, location and assessor availability.
Read answer →Navigating the System & EligibilityWhat should I prepare before an ACAT assessment?
Before your ACAT assessment, gather your Medicare card, another form of ID (like a driver's licence or pension card), doctor referrals, and a list of current medications. Note any support you currently receive, and think about your specific needs, daily challenges, and personal goals for maintaining independence. A little preparation goes a long way to ensure the assessor gets a complete picture of your situation.
Read answer →Navigating the System & EligibilityCan a family member or representative speak to My Aged Care on my behalf?
Yes, a family member or trusted representative can speak to My Aged Care on your behalf.
Read answer →Navigating the System & EligibilityWhat happens if my care needs change after my initial assessment?
If your care needs change, you can request a Support Plan Review or a full reassessment at any time through My Aged Care. You do not need to wait for a scheduled 12-month check-in to adjust your funding or services if your health, living, or financial circumstances change significantly. The process for updating your support includes:Initial Contact: Talk to your current service provider first.
Read answer →Navigating the System & EligibilityHow do I check the status of my My Aged Care application?
You can check the status of your application or assessment by logging into your My Aged Care Online Account using your my Gov credentials.
Read answer →Navigating the System & EligibilityWhat does it mean to be “approved” versus “assigned” a Home Care Package or Support at Home package?
Being approved means an assessment has found you eligible for particular aged care services. Being allocated or assigned funding means the government funding for those approved Support at Home services is available for you to start arranging care.
Read answer →Turn information into a useful next step.
You can take a general aged care question into Liz and add your own funding, care needs, timing and location. Liz can then help work out what to do next.
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