Understanding eligibility criteria
Eligibility for Support at Home is determined through an assessment of an individual’s care needs, health, and personal circumstances. The program supports older people to live safely and independently at home, with services tailored to their goals and daily living requirements. Support may include a range of in-home care services available, such as personal care, domestic assistance, nursing, and allied health.
Care plans are regularly reviewed to ensure services continue to meet changing needs, maintain safety, and support independence. This allows adjustments over time, providing personalised support that responds to evolving health and lifestyle needs.
My Aged Care assessment
Eligibility is determined through an assessment coordinated by My Aged Care, the Australian Government’s official entry point for aged care services.
Access is based on individual care needs and circumstances, ensuring support is tailored to what a person actually requires, rather than a fixed level of service, ensuring you receive appropriate support to continue living safely, independently, and comfortably in your own home.
Finding your level
During this process, factors such as physical health, cognitive ability, daily functioning, and available social support are carefully considered to understand an individual’s overall care needs.
The outcome of the assessment helps determine whether Support at Home is appropriate and what level of support may be provided. It also forms the basis for a personalised care plan, ensuring that services are tailored to meet individual needs and can be adjusted over time as circumstances change.
Age requirements
Support at Home is available to older people who meet age eligibility under Australia’s aged care system.
- 65+ years eligible
- 50+ years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Must meet aged care eligibility criteria
- Individual assessment required
- Support designed for independent living at home
- Eligibility based on care needs and safety
Can existing Home Care Package recipients access Support at Home?
People who are currently receiving a Home Care Package will be able to transition to Support at Home when the new program commences. This ensures they can continue receiving the care and support they need without interruption.
Transitional arrangements are in place to maintain continuity of care while moving to the new system. Providers work closely with individuals to coordinate the handover, adjust care plans if needed, and ensure a smooth transition to Support at Home services.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Support at Home suitable for?
Support at Home is suitable for older people who want to continue living at home but need varying levels of support to do so safely and comfortably. This includes people whose care needs may change over time and who benefit from flexible, needs-based support rather than fixed care arrangements. Suitability is determined through assessment and focuses on supporting independence, safety, and quality of life at home.
Can couples or families access Support at Home?
Support at Home is assessed and delivered on an individual basis, even when people live together as a couple or family. In some situations, more than one person in the same household may be eligible for Support at Home, depending on individual care needs and assessment outcomes. Care arrangements are designed to reflect personal circumstances while ensuring each person’s support needs are assessed separately.
Is Support at Home suitable for people with complex needs?
Personalised care assessment
Support at Home helps people with complex or changing needs through individual assessments that identify risks, preferences, health conditions, and required support levels.
Does location affect eligibility?
Eligibility for Support at Home is consistent across Australia and is not affected by location. However, service availability may vary depending on local factors such as provider numbers, workforce capacity, and regional demand. These factors can influence how and when services are delivered, but they do not change eligibility.
Next steps
Understanding eligibility is an important step in planning care under Support at Home. It helps individuals and families make informed decisions about the type and level of support needed to continue living safely and independently at home.
Further information is available about how funding works, the services included, and the process for transitioning from existing aged care programs. Accessing this information ensures a smoother experience and helps older people receive the right support at the right time.
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