Answers To The Most Frequently Asked Questions About
Support at Home

Aged care, Support at Home, in-home care—many people have questions as they grow older and begin exploring their care options. To make confident, informed decisions, it’s helpful to know that financial support is available. Support at Home is one of the ways the Australian Government helps older people access safe, affordable, and personalised aged care.

What is Support at Home?

Support at Home is a government-funded program that provides access to a wide range of aged care services. These supports are designed to enhance your wellbeing, including personal care and nursing, and help you stay safe and comfortable at home through services such as cleaning, gardening, meal preparation, home maintenance, and other everyday living supports. You can also receive supports to stay active and connected depending on your needs. The goal is simple: to help older Australians continue living comfortably, independently, and confidently in their own homes.

Who can receive Support at Home?

Eligibility for Support at Home is determined through a government assessment. You can generally apply if:

  • You are aged 65 years or over.
  • You are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and aged 50 years or over.
  • You are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, and aged 50 years or over, with eligibility assessed according to your care needs.

Everyone’s situation is unique, so final eligibility also depends on your individual circumstances. Examples that may make you eligible include:

  • Reduced mobility or a medical condition that affects your daily living.
  • A recent hospital stay or fall.
  • Changes in your family care arrangements.
  • Noticeable changes in what you can do or remember.

A face-to-face home assessment will help determine the level of support you need. To apply, either call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit the My Aged Care website and apply online.

How does Support at Home work?

After your assessment, you’ll have access to an approved list of services you’re eligible for. This gives you the flexibility to choose the supports that best suit your lifestyle, goals, and budget.

You can access services that fall under three main areas:

Support at Home has eight service classifications, ranging from basic assistance (Level 1) through to more complex, high-level care (Level 8). Each classification includes a quarterly budget you can use to access services.

If your needs change, you can request a re-assessment at any time. Once approved, you can choose a care provider and work together to create a support plan that aligns with your priorities.

Is short-term care available?

Yes. If you only need temporary support, there are three short-term service classifications under Support at Home. The Restorative Care Pathway, End-of-Life Pathway, and the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme (AT-HM scheme). This enables you to access additional time-limited support. Your assessor will let you know if you’re eligible for any of these short-term options during your assessment.

What costs are involved?

Costs vary depending on your circumstances. You’ll only pay for the services you receive, and many clinical supports, such as nursing and physiotherapy, are covered by the Australian Government.

Your contribution depends on the type of service and your income. An income and asset assessment is used to determine your contribution rate.

Need a hand navigating aged care?

Understanding aged care funding can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you’d like help exploring your options or learning more about available services, your local Simply Helping team is here to support you. Click here to find your closest team to you, and contact us today.