Support at Home Package vs NDIS Plan: Key Differences Explained
Support at Home Packages and NDIS plans are two separate Australian government funding programs with different eligibility criteria, purposes, and services.
The Support at Home Packages fund support for older Australians aged 65 and over. NDIS plans fund support for people under 65 living with a permanent disability. Knowing which program applies to your situation saves significant time and avoids a lot of confusion.
What Is a Support at Home Package?
A Support at Home Package is a government-funded program that helps older Australians get the support they need to keep living at home safely and independently. It is managed through the Australian Government's aged care system, and assessed through the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).
Who it is for:
Australians aged 65 and over (50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
People whose care needs go beyond what the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) covers
Older adults who want to stay at home rather than move into residential care
What it funds:
Personal care (bathing, grooming, dressing)
Meal preparation and nutrition support
Medication management
Domestic assistance and light housekeeping
Transport to appointments
Mobility support and equipment
Social support and companionship
Allied health services
The Support at Home Program levels are split into 8 tiers based on how much support a person needs:
| Classification | Care Need | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 & 2 | Lower care needs | Welfare checks, light domestic chores, medication reminders, occasional transport. |
| 3 & 4 | Moderate care needs | Personal care (bathing, dressing), meal support, occupational therapy, and basic mobility aids. |
| 5 & 6 | High care needs | Frequent daily therapy, nursing assistance, and significant home safety modifications. |
| 7 & 8 | Complex/extensive care needs | Daily clinical oversight, advanced dementia care, end-of-life support, extensive equipment, and mobility aids. |
Funding amounts are reviewed by the government periodically, and current figures should be confirmed with My Aged Care at myagedcare.gov.au.
What Is an NDIS Plan?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funds support for Australians living with a permanent and significant disability. It is managed by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Who it is for:
Australians under 65 at the time of application
People with a permanent disability that significantly affects their daily life
Australian citizens, permanent residents, or Protected Special Category Visa holders
What NDIS packages typically fund:
Daily personal activities
Assistance with social and community participation
Supported independent living
Therapies (occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychology)
Assistive technology and home modifications
Support coordination
Behaviour support
NDIS plans are highly individualised. The funding allocated depends on a participant's specific goals, functional capacity, and support needs as determined through the planning process.
NDIS vs Aged Care: The Core Differences
This is where most families get confused. The two programs look similar on the surface because both can fund in-home personal care. The eligibility rules, funding structures, and purposes are quite different.
| Support at Home Package | NDIS Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Who administers it | Australian Government (My Aged Care) | NDIA |
| Age eligibility | 65+ (50+ for ATSI) | Under 65 at time of application |
| Based on | Age and care needs | Permanent disability and functional impact |
| Assessment body | ACAT (Aged Care Assessment Team) | NDIA planning process |
| Funding structure | 8 classifications | Individualised plan budget |
| Provider type | Aged care provider | Registered NDIS provider |
| Review cycle | Annual | Typically every 12 months |
One important point: a person who turns 65 while on an NDIS plan can choose to stay on the NDIS or transition to the aged care system. They cannot access both simultaneously for the same support.
Can Someone Access Both at the Same Time?
This is a common question, and the short answer is generally no, for the same types of support. The Australian Government has clear rules around this. If a person is on the NDIS and turns 65, they can remain on the NDIS, but they cannot use both an NDIS plan and Support at Home packages to fund the same type of support.
There are some limited circumstances where a person might access aged care services alongside an NDIS plan, but these are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Families unsure about this should contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or the NDIS on 1800 800 110 directly.
How to Apply for a Support at Home Package
Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au
Complete a phone screening assessment
An ACAT assessor visits the person at home
Approval and program level are assigned
The person is placed in a national queue (wait times vary by level)
Once a package is assigned, choose an Aged Care Provider in Wagga Wagga or elsewhere to manage and deliver the services
The provider manages the funds on the person's behalf and delivers the agreed services under a home care agreement.
How to Apply for an NDIS Plan
Check eligibility at ndis.gov.au or call 1800 800 110
Submit an Access Request Form
The NDIA confirms eligibility
A planning meeting is held to discuss goals and support needs
A plan is approved, and funding is made available
Choose registered NDIS providers to deliver supports
NDIS home care packages, more accurately called Assistance with Daily Life supports under the NDIS are delivered by registered NDIS providers, which is a separate registration from aged care providers.
Choosing the Right Provider for Your Support at Home Package
Once the Support at Home Package is approved and assigned, choosing the right provider matters. Families should ask:
What services does the provider actually deliver directly?
What are the administration and case management fees?
How consistent is the care team?
Does the provider have experience with specific health conditions?
How are care plans reviewed and updated?
In-Home Aged Care providers vary significantly in how they structure their fees, how they build care plans, and how responsive they are when something changes. Reading the provider's Home Care Agreement carefully before signing is important. All aged care companies are required to publish their pricing through the My Aged Care service finder.
Good in-home aged care is built around the individual, reviewed regularly, and delivered by workers who are familiar with the person's situation and preferences. A consistent care team makes a real difference, particularly for people living with dementia or complex health conditions.
NDIS packages work similarly in that the participant has choice and control over which providers they use, but the funding categories and claiming process are managed through the NDIS myPlace portal or a plan manager.
What Home at Heart Offers
Home at Heart is an aged care provider and Support at Home provider serving older Australians in Wagga Wagga and surrounding areas. The team works with people across all 8 levels.
Services delivered include:
Personal care (bathing, grooming, dressing)
Meal preparation and nutrition support
Medication reminders and management
Companionship and social support
Mobility assistance
Light domestic chores
Transport to appointments and outings
Home at Heart does not provide NDIS services. The focus is entirely on older Australians who want to stay at home safely and on their own terms. Aged Care Companies that specialise in one program tend to deliver it better, and that focus is reflected in how care plans are built and reviewed at Home at Heart.
Wrapping Up
Support at Home and NDIS are separate Australian Government funding programs designed for different groups of people. Support at Home helps older Australians aged 65 and over access services that support independent living at home, while the NDIS provides funding for people under 65 with a permanent and significant disability. Although both can fund in-home support, they have different eligibility requirements, assessment processes, funding structures, and providers. Understanding these differences can help individuals and families access the right support more quickly and avoid confusion.
If you have been assigned a Support at Home Package, and contacting the right provider is the next step, the team at Home at Heart is worth a conversation.
Call 1300 923 934 or visit homeatheart.com.au to talk through what care could look like for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Support at Home Program and an NDIS plan?
A Support at Home Program funds support for Australians aged 65 and over who need help staying at home. An NDIS plan funds support for people under 65 living with a permanent disability. The two programs have separate eligibility rules, assessment processes, and provider registrations.
Can I get a Support at Home Program and an NDIS plan at the same time?
Generally, no, for the same types of support. A person cannot use both programs to fund the same service. Someone who turns 65 while on the NDIS can choose to remain on the NDIS or transition to aged care, but cannot access both for overlapping supports.
How long does it take to get into the Support at Home Program?
Wait times depend on the program level assigned. My Aged Care provides current indicative wait times on its website.
What happens to my NDIS plan when I turn 65?
You can choose to stay on the NDIS or transition to the aged care system. The decision is yours, but it is worth getting advice before making the change, as transitioning is generally permanent.
Do the Support at Home Program funds roll over if I do not use them?
Unspent funds accumulate in a person's package and can be used for care-related expenses in subsequent periods. However, there are rules around how much can accumulate before the government may adjust the package. A provider should explain this clearly in the Home Care Agreement.
How do I find a registered aged care provider in Wagga Wagga?
The My Aged Care service finder at myagedcare.gov.au lists all registered providers by location. You can filter by service type and compare fees. Alternatively, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 for assistance.