Support at Home

Price caps on aged care services is a new feature introduced by the government as part of the Support at Home program . These take effect from 1 July 2026, but there are a few changes for participants to be aware of in the meantime. A capped price is the fixed, maximum amount that a Support at Home provider can charge for a particular service or activity. Providers can’t add extra costs like travel, admin or management fees on top. The capped price must include everything. When do price caps begin? Price caps will begin from 1 July 2026. These will be set by the Australian Government based on advice from the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA). How do price caps work? Previously, HCP participants were charged separately for services like cleaning, plus extra costs like travel or administration. This has changed under Support at Home. All those extra costs are now bundled together into one total price for each service. For example, the total pric

Support at Home is a government-subsidised program that aims to help older Australians live independently in their homes for longer. It's designed for people with a range of care needs, from basic daily assistance to more complex support. But who exactly is eligible for Support at Home? In this article we'll outline the criteria for eligibility and what happens after you apply for funding. Who is eligible for Support at Home funding? You may be eligible to be assessed for Support at Home funding if: You're aged 65 or over You're an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person aged 50 or over You're aged 50 or over and homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Eligibility also depends on how much support you may need. Many older people begin to notice that everyday tasks aren't as easy as they used to be. You might be: Finding it harder to shower or get dressed Feeling unsteady on your feet or at risk of falls Struggling with housework, cooking or laundry Missing medical appointments be

A key step to receiving aged care funding such as Support at Home, is completing an aged care assessment. These assessments are carried out by the Single Assessment System , a streamlined process for managing aged care assessments across Australia. It's helpful to understand what an aged care assessment involves so you can feel confident and prepared to answer questions about your needs. Understanding the aged care assessment process What is an aged care assessment? An aged care assessment (sometimes called a home care assessment) is a comprehensive review that determines whether you're eligible for government-funded aged care services. You can be assessed for: Support at Home Short-term care pathways such as Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme or the Restorative Care Pathway Residential aged care. Where will the aged care assessment take place? Assessments take place in person, usually at home or in hospital if needed. You can have a family member or other tru

If you're an older Australian looking to stay independent at home, the Support at Home program might be right for you. Support at Home provides government-subsidised aged care funding to help you access services that maintain your health, wellbeing and daily life. In this article, we'll outline the 5 steps to getting Support at Home Funding: Get assessed via the Single Assessment System Wait for your funding to be assigned Choose a Support at Home provider Enter into a service agreement Start accessing services with your funding. Assessing your eligibility for Support at Home funding Before you begin, it's best to check your eligibility to be assessed for Support at Home. You may be eligible if: You're aged 65 or over You're an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person aged 50 or over You're aged 50 or over and homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. If you meet one of these criteria and are finding it harder to manage day-to-day tasks or have had a decline in health, you may qual

Everyone who is approved for the Support at Home program is given the option to self-manage their funding. Self-management puts you in the driver's seat of your support, with more choice and control over the services you receive. Why self-management in aged care matters Self-management in aged care is based on the understanding that older people are the experts in their own lives. Whether independently or with help from trusted supporters and carers, the idea is that older people should have the freedom to make their own care decisions. The Aged Care Act 2025 introduced a new Statement of Rights, affirming your right to choose how, when, and by whom your aged care services are delivered. What are the benefits of self-managed aged care? While traditional Support at Home providers can offer some of this flexibility, self-managing gives you even more freedom. You can choose your own support workers and health professionals, and decide – through platforms like Mable – who supports you,

The Support at Home program aims to help older Australians live independently and safely at home. To access it, you'll need to meet certain eligibility criteria and have an aged care assessment to check what level of support is right for you. Who is eligible for Support at Home? You may be eligible to be assessed for the Support at Home program if you fall into one of the following groups: People over the age of 65 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 50 People over the age of 50 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Eligibility also depends on factors like your health, your level of independence at home, and what support you already have around you. To check your eligibility for an aged care assessment, you can use the Assessment Eligibility Checker online or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 . For more detailed information, read our guide to Support at Home eligibility . What happens if I'm eligible for an assessment? If you meet the eligibi

Support at Home is a government-subsidised program that provides in-home aged care support. It’s free for eligible older Australians to access, although you may need to contribute out-of-pocket to the services you receive. In this article, we explain how participant contributions work. What are participant contributions? These are dollar amounts that you contribute toward the services you have received under Support at Home . This way, the cost of some services and products is shared between you and the government. Participant contributions are based on a set percentage for each type of support, and depend on the hourly rate or the unit price of a service or product. For example: If you receive 2 hours of social support, you will pay a contribution for each hour. If you receive 4 meals, your contribution will be calculated per meal. You pay your share as a dollar amount set by the percentage, and the government covers the rest as a subsidy to your provider. How are contributions cal

With the Government move from Home Care Packages (HCP) to the new Support at Home (SAH) program on 1 November 2025, many older Australians approved for aged care funding are facing some uncertainty. It's likely there will be a waiting period before funding actually becomes available. If you or a family member is in this situation, you don't have to put support on hold. By paying privately for in-home support in the short term, you can get help that suits your needs right now. It also means you'll still have choice, flexibility and control. Understanding the Support at Home program and wait times Support at Home is Australia's new aged care program . It replaces Home Care Packages (HCP) and was designed to provide a flexible, personalised and more supportive way to help older people live independently at home for longer. If you currently have Support at Home funding – or when you're approved for it – you're placed into the Government's priority system. This is a rating based on your

Support at Home is a government-funded program that helps older Australians live independently, safely and comfortably in their own homes for longer. The program assists participants to get support to meet their needs, from help around the house to nursing and allied health. When you enter the program, you’ll receive a Support at Home funding classification, which determines your level of ongoing funding. This is based on the outcome of an aged care assessment . There are 8 funding classifications to suit different care needs: Classifications 1–2: Basic care needs such as meal delivery, light housework or light personal care. Classifications 3–4: Low-level care needs such as regular personal care, mobility aid support, or continence care. Classifications 5–6: Intermediate care needs such hoists, transfers, allied health therapies, or nursing support. Levels 7–8: High-level care needs such as assistance with all daily living activities, palliative support or 24/7 care availability