How Does the Support at Home Program Work?

On 1 November 2025, the Australian Government launched the Support at Home program, replacing the previous Home Care Package system. If you're caring for an ageing parent or planning for your own future, this guide explains exactly how it works — without the jargon.

What Is the Support at Home Program?

Support at Home is the federal government's new way of funding aged care services for older Australians who want to remain living at home. It replaced the four-level Home Care Package (HCP) system with a more flexible, needs-based funding model.

The goal: help older Australians live independently at home for as long as possible, with the right level of support matched to their individual needs.

Who Is Eligible?

To access Support at Home you must:

• Be 65 years or older (or 50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
• Be an Australian resident
• Have care needs that can be safely met at home
• Have been assessed by an ACAT or Regional Assessment Service (RAS)

If you were receiving a Home Care Package before 1 November 2025, you were automatically transitioned into the new system.

How Is Funding Determined?

Unlike the old four-level package system, Support at Home uses a classification system with 10 funding levels. Your level is determined by your ACAT assessment and reviewed regularly as your needs change. Funding is more closely matched to your actual assessed needs — so if your health changes, your level can be adjusted without waiting for a new package.

What Services Are Covered?

• Personal care — showering, dressing, grooming, medication management
• Domestic assistance — cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, shopping
• Allied health and nursing — physiotherapy, wound care, dementia support
• Social support — transport to appointments, companionship visits
• Home maintenance — grab rails, ramps, gardening, emergency alarms

How Do You Access It? (4 Steps)

1. Contact My Aged Care — call 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au to register and arrange an assessment.
2. Get Assessed — a free ACAT home visit determines your funding level.
3. Choose a Provider — once approved, you choose a registered Support at Home provider. This is where many families feel overwhelmed — there are hundreds of providers with very different pricing and quality.
4. Set Up Your Care Plan — your provider creates a plan setting out your services and frequency.

What Does It Cost?

Support at Home is heavily government-subsidised but not entirely free. Most people pay a Basic Daily Fee (around $12–$14/day in 2026). People with higher income or assets may also pay a means-tested contribution. There are annual and lifetime caps to protect against unlimited costs.

Importantly, your provider's management fee (typically 15–35% of your funding) directly affects how many hours of actual care you receive. This is why choosing the right provider matters enormously.

Need Help Navigating the System?

The Support at Home program gives older Australians more choice — but more choice also means more complexity. At Aged Care Information, we help families compare providers and find the right match, completely free of charge.

Call us on 1800 303 101 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm AEST) or request a free consultation.

Last updated: January 2026. Reflects the Support at Home program as of 1 November 2025.