Support at Home FAQs: Answers for Older Australians, Families and Carers

Liz
4 days ago
11 min read

Support at Home is the Australian Government’s in-home aged care program. It helps eligible older people access services so they can remain living safely and independently at home. The program includes different types of support, including clinical care, independence supports and everyday living services.

Some services may be fully funded by the government, while others may require a personal contribution depending on the person’s circumstances.

Not sure where to start? Answer a few simple questions and Liz can help you understand your options, compare local providers and take the next step with more confidence.

1. What is Support at Home?

Support at Home is the Australian Government program that helps eligible older people receive aged care services at home. It is designed for people who need support to remain independent, safe and well in their own home.

The program can help with services such as nursing, allied health, personal care, cleaning, meals, transport, home maintenance, assistive technology and other approved supports, depending on what is included in your support plan.

2. Who is Support at Home for?

Support at Home is for older Australians who need help to keep living at home. This may include people who are becoming less mobile, finding daily tasks harder, managing health conditions, recovering after illness, or needing more regular support to stay safe.

Eligibility is not based only on whether someone is in crisis. Many people apply because they need light support now and want to avoid a bigger problem later.

3. How do I apply for Support at Home?

You apply through My Aged Care. You can apply online or contact My Aged Care to start the assessment process. The online form can be used to apply for help at home, short-term care, residential aged care and end-of-life care.

After you apply, My Aged Care will arrange an assessment to understand your needs and decide what type of support you may be eligible for.

4. Do I need an assessment for Support at Home?

Yes. You need an aged care assessment before you can be approved for government-funded Support at Home services.

The assessment looks at your health, mobility, safety at home, personal care needs, daily routines, support network and what help you may need to remain living at home.

5. What happens after my assessment?

After your assessment, you may receive a decision about the type of care you are approved for. If you are approved for Support at Home, your decision letter and support plan will explain the services you are eligible to receive.

Your approved services matter because Support at Home funding can only be used for services that are included in your support plan.

6. What services can Support at Home pay for?

Support at Home services are grouped into three broad categories:

Clinical supports, such as nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry and other allied health services.

Independence supports, such as personal care, social support, transport, respite, assistive technology and home modifications.

Everyday living supports, such as cleaning, meals, gardening and home maintenance.

The services available to you depend on your assessed needs and what is approved in your support plan.

7. Does Support at Home cover cleaning?

Yes, cleaning may be covered if it is included in your approved support plan. Cleaning usually sits under everyday living supports, which means you may need to contribute to the cost depending on your financial circumstances.

Support at Home is not designed to fund unlimited household help. The cleaning must relate to your assessed aged care needs.

8. Does Support at Home cover gardening?

Gardening or home maintenance may be covered where it is necessary to help you remain safe at home. This might include basic garden maintenance to reduce falls risk, improve access or keep the home environment manageable.

It usually falls under everyday living or home maintenance-type support, so a participant contribution may apply.

9. Does Support at Home cover transport?

Yes, transport may be included where it supports your assessed care needs. This may include transport to medical appointments, shopping, community activities or other essential outings.

Whether transport is available depends on your assessment, your support plan and the provider you choose.

10. Does Support at Home cover nursing?

Yes. Nursing is a clinical support and may be covered under Support at Home when it is included in your support plan.

Clinical supports, such as nursing care, are fully funded by the government. Participants do not contribute to the cost of clinical supports.

11. Does Support at Home cover physiotherapy and allied health?

Yes. Support at Home can include allied health services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, psychology, speech pathology, social work and other approved clinical or therapeutic supports.

These services may help you maintain mobility, recover function, reduce falls risk, manage pain, improve confidence and remain independent at home.

12. Does Support at Home cover personal care?

Yes. Personal care can be covered if it is included in your support plan. Personal care may include help with showering, dressing, grooming, toileting, mobility and other daily personal tasks.

From 1 October 2026, the Australian Government will fully fund personal care services for eligible Support at Home participants who are approved for that service type.

13. Is Support at Home free?

Some parts of Support at Home are fully funded, while others may require a contribution.

Clinical supports, such as nursing, are fully funded by the government. Most participants will need to contribute to the cost of independence and everyday living services, depending on their individual circumstances.

So the simple answer is: Support at Home is not always free, but some services may be fully funded.

14. How much will I pay for Support at Home?

How much you pay depends on the type of service you receive and your financial circumstances.

The government pays the full cost of clinical supports. For independence and everyday living services, your contribution may depend on an income and assets assessment by Services Australia.

Liz has written a number of articles about possible costs associated with Support at Home - https://www.localhomehelp.com.au/news/categories/aged-care-costs

My Aged Care also provides a Support at Home fee estimator to help people understand possible contributions.

Local Home Help providers a quote comparison calculator to help you better understand how one home care quote compares to another - https://www.localhomehelp.com.au/calculator

15. Do pensioners pay for Support at Home?

Pensioners may still need to contribute to some Support at Home services, especially independence and everyday living services. However, the amount depends on individual circumstances.

Clinical supports are fully funded, regardless of whether you are a pensioner or self-funded retiree.

Financial hardship assistance can help you, if for reasons beyond your control, you can’t afford your aged care costs.

Each case is assessed on an individual basis. If you are eligible, the Australian Government will pay some, or all, of your contributions, fees and accommodation, helping you to get the care you need - https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/financial-hardship-assistance

16. Do self-funded retirees pay more for Support at Home?

Self-funded retirees may pay higher contributions for some services, depending on their income and assets assessment.

However, clinical supports are still fully funded by the government. That means services such as nursing and approved clinical care are not subject to participant contributions - https://www.localhomehelp.com.au/post/how-much-does-home-care-cost-in-australia-2026-guide

This is one reason self-funded retirees should not automatically assume Support at Home is not worth applying for.

17. Are clinical services free under Support at Home?

Yes. Clinical supports are fully funded by the government. This includes services such as nursing care and other approved clinical supports included in your support plan.

This is important because many people delay applying for aged care support because they assume all services will require a contribution.

That is not correct - https://www.localhomehelp.com.au/post/why-getting-assessed-for-support-at-home-now-just-makes-sense

18. What is the difference between clinical supports, independence supports and everyday living supports?

Support at Home separates services into different categories.

Clinical supports are health-related services, such as nursing and allied health. These are fully funded by the government.

Independence supports help you stay safe, mobile and independent. These may include personal care, transport, social support, respite, home modifications and assistive technology.

Everyday living supports help with daily household tasks, such as cleaning, meals, gardening and home maintenance.

Participant contributions differ depending on the category of service.

19. Can I choose my own Support at Home provider?

Yes. Once you are approved, you can choose a provider to deliver your services.

My Aged Care says people can find local providers by calling My Aged Care or using the Find a Provider tool. You can compare providers based on location, services, preferences, culture, language and other needs.

Local Home Help can also help you understand what types of providers may be available near you. Start by asking Liz - https://www.localhomehelp.com.au/ask-liz

20. Can I change Support at Home providers?

Yes, you can. If your current provider is not meeting your needs, you can explore other providers.

Before changing, it is sensible to check your current service agreement, understand any notice periods, confirm your new provider can deliver the services you need, and make sure there is no gap in essential care.

21. What should I look for in a Support at Home provider?

Look for a provider that can deliver the services in your support plan, communicate clearly, explain costs upfront, provide consistent workers where possible, and respond when your needs change.

You should also ask:

What services can you deliver in my area?
What are your hourly rates or service prices?
Are there travel costs?
How do you manage cancellations?
Will I have regular workers?
Who do I contact if something changes?
Can you support my cultural, language or personal preferences?

Do not choose a provider only because they are first on a list. The right provider should fit your needs, your location and your expectations.

22. How long does Support at Home take to start?

Wait times can vary. The time from applying through My Aged Care to actually starting services depends on assessment availability, approval, funding, provider availability and workforce capacity.

The Department publishes wait time reporting for aged care services, including the time between application and commencement of services.

If you need help urgently, do not wait silently. Contact My Aged Care, speak with local providers, and consider whether interim or private support is needed while you wait.

23. What can I do while waiting for Support at Home?

While waiting, you may be able to access other local supports, private services, community programs or short-term assistance depending on your situation.

You can also use the waiting period to:

Gather medical information
Make your home safer
Compare local providers
Understand likely costs
Speak with family about support needs
Keep My Aged Care updated if your situation worsens

The worst option is usually doing nothing until there is a crisis.

24. Can I pay privately for home care while waiting?

Yes. Many people choose to pay privately for services while waiting for government-funded support or while waiting for approved services to begin.

Private support may be useful for cleaning, transport, personal care, respite, gardening, home maintenance or allied health. It can also help reduce pressure on family carers.

Private care does not replace the value of applying for Support at Home. In many cases, it is a bridge while the formal aged care process continues.

You may wish to search for local private care options here - https://www.localhomehelp.com.au/find-home-care-providers

25. What if my needs change after I am approved?

If your needs change, you should contact My Aged Care or your provider. You may need a review or reassessment.

This is important if you have had a fall, hospital stay, new diagnosis, change in mobility, carer breakdown, increased confusion, or difficulty managing daily tasks.

Do not wait until your approved services are clearly inadequate. The system needs updated information to respond properly.

26. What is the difference between Support at Home and CHSP?

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme, often called CHSP, provides entry-level help for older people who need lower levels of support.

Support at Home is designed for people who need more structured or ongoing support at home. Some people may use CHSP-type services while waiting for higher-level support, depending on their circumstances and availability.

The right pathway depends on your assessment and your level of need.

27. What is the difference between Support at Home and Home Care Packages?

Support at Home is the newer in-home aged care program. It has replaced the older Home Care Package model for ongoing in-home aged care.

The newer model changes how services are grouped, how contributions work, how budgets are managed and how providers claim for services. The Department’s Support at Home manual explains the rules, procedures and obligations for registered providers delivering the program.

For consumers, the key point is simple: if you need aged care support at home now, you should focus on the current Support at Home pathway rather than old Home Care Package terminology.

28. Can Support at Home help after hospital?

Support at Home may help after a hospital stay if you are assessed as needing support at home. Depending on your situation, this might include nursing, allied health, personal care, equipment, home modifications or short-term restorative support.

If you or a family member is leaving hospital and may not cope safely at home, ask hospital staff, My Aged Care and local providers about what support can be arranged.

29. Can Support at Home help with dementia?

Yes, Support at Home may help people living with dementia if they are assessed as needing support at home.

Support might include personal care, respite, social support, domestic assistance, transport, home safety changes, nursing or allied health. The exact services depend on the person’s assessment and support plan.

Families should apply early. Dementia support is much easier to plan before there is a carer crisis, wandering risk, hospitalisation or sudden breakdown at home.

30. Can Support at Home help carers?

Support at Home can indirectly support carers by funding services that reduce pressure on the family, such as personal care, respite, transport, domestic assistance or social support.

If a carer is exhausted, unwell or unable to keep providing the same level of help, that should be raised during assessment or reassessment. Carer strain is not a side issue. It can affect whether an older person can safely remain at home.

31. Can Support at Home pay family members?

Generally, government-funded aged care services are delivered by approved or registered providers, not paid directly to family members.

If family members are providing informal care, Support at Home may still help by funding services that reduce the burden, such as personal care, respite or domestic assistance.

32. Can I use Support at Home for home modifications or equipment?

Yes, Support at Home may include assistive technology and home modifications where they are approved as part of your assessed needs.

This might include equipment or changes that help with mobility, safety, showering, toileting, transfers, falls prevention or access around the home.

The service must be approved and linked to your care needs.

33. Can I get Support at Home if I only need a little help?

Yes, you may still be able to access support if your needs are modest. You do not need to wait until you are in serious decline before applying.

In fact, applying early can be sensible. Light support with cleaning, transport, mobility, allied health or home safety may help prevent falls, hospitalisation, carer stress and loss of independence.

34. Should I apply for Support at Home now or wait?

If you are starting to struggle at home, apply now.

Many people wait too long because they feel they are “not bad enough yet”. That is usually the wrong way to think about aged care. Support at Home is not only for emergencies. It exists to help people remain living at home for longer.

A good rule is this: if daily tasks are becoming harder, if family are doing more and more, or if safety is becoming a concern, it is time to apply.

35. Can Local Home Help help me find Support at Home providers?

Yes. Local Home Help helps older Australians, families and carers understand their options and find local home care providers.

You can use Local Home Help to compare providers, understand what services may be available, and take the next step with more confidence.

Local Home Help is not My Aged Care and does not replace the government assessment process. But it can help you make sense of your options before, during or after applying for Support at Home.

Need help understanding your options?

Support at Home can feel confusing at first, especially if you are trying to help a parent, partner or family member. The important thing is not to wait until everything becomes urgent.

Use Local Home Help to explore local providers, understand service options and take the next step with more confidence.

Ask Liz - https://www.localhomehelp.com.au/ask-liz

Look for providers - https://www.localhomehelp.com.au/find-home-care-providers

Source links: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home