Please note: the former Home Care Packages program was replaced by the Support at Home program on 1 November 2025, and funded in-home care in Australia now falls under Support at Home.
Support at Home is the Australian Government’s funded program that helps older Australians receive care in their own homes. It replaced the Home Care Packages program and Short-Term Restorative Care on 1 November 2025. Funding is set across eight classification levels, paid as quarterly budgets, and may cover support ranging from help around the house to clinical nursing care. This guide explains how it works, who qualifies, what it may cost, and how to get started.
What Is the Support at Home Program?
Support at Home is the Australian Government program for delivering government-funded aged care to older people who need more complex support at home. It operates under the Aged Care Act 2024 and is managed by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing through My Aged Care. The aim is to help older Australians live safely and independently at home for as long as possible. Instead of a person receiving cash, the government allocates a budget, and a chosen provider uses it to deliver approved services.
Why the Program Changed
The former Home Care Packages system had four funding levels, which often did not match the wide range of individual care needs. Following the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, Support at Home introduced eight ongoing funding classifications to better align funding with assessed care needs, along with new pricing and participant contribution arrangements based on the type of service. Existing Home Care Package recipients were moved across automatically, with transitional protections so people were not worse off.
Who Is Eligible for Support at Home?
Eligibility is based on age and assessed ageing-related care needs. Your income and assets are assessed separately to determine any contribution towards eligible services.
You may be eligible if you are:
65 years or older
50 years or older and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
50 years or older and homeless or at risk of homelessness
An Australian citizen, permanent resident, or protected Special Category Visa holder
An assessment must identify a genuine care need. A good understanding of these criteria helps families prepare, as meeting the age requirement alone does not guarantee funding.
How to Apply: The Assessment Process
Getting funded care typically begins with an assessment through My Aged Care:
1. Register with My Aged Care: by calling 1800 200 422 or applying online. Have a Medicare card ready.
2. Complete a phone screening: to outline your situation.
3. Have a home assessment through the Single Assessment System, where an assessor reviews health, daily tasks, and goals.
4. Receive your Notice of Decision and support plan: confirming the outcome of your assessment, your approved services and, where applicable, your Support at Home classification and budget.
A GP, hospital discharge planner, or family member can help you start. For families seeking Aged Care Help in Wagga Wagga, this assessment is the first practical step. Being open about daily challenges generally leads to a more accurate classification.
The Eight Classification Levels
Support at Home uses eight classification levels, replacing the former four-level system. The level assigned depends on assessed need and sets the quarterly budget released across the year.
| Classification | Care level |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Lower level of ongoing support |
| Level 2 | Higher level of ongoing support |
| Level 3 | Increasing level of ongoing support |
| Level 4 | Increasing level of ongoing support |
| Level 5 | Higher level of ongoing support |
| Level 6 | Higher level of ongoing support |
| Level 7 | High level of ongoing support |
| Level 8 | Highest level of ongoing support |
Each ongoing Support at Home classification has a quarterly budget. The annual funding amount is divided into four quarterly budgets, with the full quarterly amount available at the start of each quarter, subject to program rules.
What Services Support at Home Covers
Support at Home funds a broad range of services, grouped into three categories. Each category has different contribution rules:
Clinical care: nursing, allied health such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry and dietetics, prescribed nutrition, personal care, and care management.
Independence: social support and community engagement, therapeutic services like remedial massage within a treatment plan, respite, transport, assistive technology, and home modifications.
Everyday living: domestic help such as cleaning and laundry, light gardening and minor home repairs for safety, and meal preparation or delivery.
A suitable in-home care provider can help you use your budget on the mix that suits your situation.
What It Costs: Contributions Explained
What you contribute depends on the service category and your financial situation. Clinical care is fully funded for everyone. For the other two categories, a means assessment through Services Australia generally sets your rate:
| Your circumstances | Clinical Care | Independence | Everyday Living |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full pensioner | 0% | 5% | 17.5% |
| Part pensioner or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holder | 0% | 5–50% | 17.5–80% |
| Self-funded (no CSHC) | 0% | 50% | 80% |
From 1 October 2026, personal care moves into the clinical care category and becomes fully funded, meaning no contribution for approved participants. People who held a Home Care Package before 12 September 2024 keep more favourable rules under the "no worse off" principle.
Additional Support: Equipment, Home Modifications and Short-Term Care
Support at Home also offers targeted help for specific needs:
Assistive technology and home modifications: funding for equipment and safety changes like grab rails and ramps, with tiers up to around $15,000.
Restorative Care Pathway: short-term, goal-focused support to rebuild skills after a decline or hospital stay.
End-of-Life Pathway: higher funding for people in the final months, supporting care at home.
These pathways sit alongside the main program and are accessed through the same assessment process.
What Happens While You Wait
Approval does not mean funding starts immediately. You are placed in a national queue and receive your budget when a place opens at your level. While waiting, you may:
Access interim support through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme
Arrange private care to bridge the gap
Check with My Aged Care for updates
Private care can often start within days, which some families use to cover the wait.
How to Choose a Provider
Once approved, you choose who delivers your care. When comparing providers, consider:
The range of services they deliver directly
How consistent their carers are
Clear, published pricing
Staff training and screening
How well they communicate
A reliable local Aged Care Provider in Wagga Wagga will take time to understand the person before developing a care plan.
Summary
The Support at Home Program provides government-funded care to help older Australians live safely and independently at home. Replacing Home Care Packages in November 2025, the program offers eight funding levels based on assessed care needs and can cover services ranging from domestic help and personal care to nursing, allied health, equipment and home modifications. This guide explains who can access Support at Home, how the assessment and funding process works, what you may need to contribute, and how to choose a suitable care provider.
How Home at Heart Delivers Support at Home
We are a family-owned and operated in-home care provider serving Wagga Wagga, the Riverina, and Geelong. Our approach centres on dignity, independence, and consistency, with the same trusted carers attending wherever possible.
Our in-home care services include:
Personal care assistance - respectful help with bathing, dressing, and grooming
Companionship - supportive connection through conversation, walks, and shared activities
Medication management - reminders and organisation
Meal preparation - fresh, nutritious meals suited to health needs
Mobility assistance - safe support with walking and transfers
Light domestic work - keeping the home clean, safe, and comfortable
Transport support - assistance to appointments and community activities
We make the process straightforward, from understanding your options to delivering care that fits daily routines and preferences. Contact the Home at Heart team to learn more about in-home care support. Call 1300 923 934 or visit homeatheart.com.au.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is eligible for home care in Australia?
You are generally eligible if you are 65 or older, or 50 or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and have an assessed care need. People aged 50 or over who are homeless or at risk of homelessness may also qualify. Eligibility is based on care needs, not income or assets.
Q: What is the Support at Home program in NSW?
Support at Home works the same across Australia, including NSW. It is the national government-funded program that delivers in-home aged care, and providers across NSW, including in Wagga Wagga and the Riverina, deliver services under it. For local aged care help in Wagga Wagga, providers like Home at Heart can guide you through it.
Q: What age is considered elderly in Australia?
For aged care purposes, 65 is the general age at which someone can access government-funded support, or 50 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. There is no single legal definition of “elderly”, but 65 is the common threshold used across the aged care system.
Q: How do I apply for home care in NSW?
Start by contacting My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or applying online. You will have a phone screening, then a home assessment through the Single Assessment System. If approved, you receive a classification level and can choose a provider to deliver your services.
Q: What is the highest level of Support at Home funding?
Classification 8 is the highest of the eight ongoing Support at Home classifications and is for people with the highest level of assessed ongoing care needs. It has the largest quarterly budget of the eight classifications. Palliative and end-of-life support is also available through the separate End-of-Life Pathway for eligible participants.
Q: Is personal care free under Support at Home?
From 1 October 2026, personal care such as showering, dressing, and continence support becomes fully government funded for approved participants, with no out-of-pocket contribution. It is still paid from your Support at Home budget, but you no longer pay a personal contribution toward it.
For more information about how Home at Heart can support your care needs, please contact our team.