Support at Home application Guide
Our step-by-step guide to making the process easier.
A new, streamlined program
Since November 2025, the former Home Care Packages program has been replaced by the Support at Home program. The new system is designed to make in-home care simpler, more transparent and more flexible, with eight funding classifications based on your assessed needs.
Step-by-step.
Here is the updated, step-by-step process to securing government-funded support in 2026.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
You are generally eligible for Support at Home if you:
- Are 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people).
- Need help with daily tasks (e.g., showering, cleaning, or transport) due to age-related functional decline.
- Are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Step 2: Register with My Aged Care
All aged care journeys begin with My Aged Care. This is the official government portal that manages your record and assessments.
- Online: Visit myagedcare.gov.au and use the “Apply for an assessment” tool.
- Phone: Call 1800 200 422.
- What you need: Your Medicare card and about 20 minutes to answer questions about your health, mobility, and social support.
My Aged Care is the Australian Government’s central entry point for aged care services.
Step 3: The Face-to-Face Assessment
Once registered, an assessor from the Single Assessment System will visit you at home. This is a collaborative conversation to understand your goals and “functional capacity.”
How to prepare:
- Be honest: Don’t “put on a brave face.” If you struggle to hang out the laundry or feel unsteady in the shower, say so.
- Have a Support Person: Ask a family member, friend, or advocate to be present.
- Documentation: Have a list of your medical conditions, medications, and your GP’s contact details ready.
Step 4: Receive your Notice of Decision
After your assessment, you’ll receive a Notice of Decision explaining:
- whether you’ve been approved
- your funding classification
- which services you’ve been assessed as needing
- whether you’ll join the Support at Home Priority System while waiting for funding.
Step 5: Understand your classification (Levels 1–8)
Under the 2026 system, there are eight funding classifications. After your assessment, you will receive a Notice of Decision letter confirming your level: Current indexed funding (July 2026) is:
| Level | Intensity of Need | Annual Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Levels 1–2 | Low needs (e.g., basic cleaning, transport) | $11,010 – $16,451 |
| Levels 3–5 | Moderate needs (e.g., personal care, nursing) | $22,537 – $40,730 |
| Levels 6–8 | High/Complex needs (e.g., 24/7 monitoring, palliative) | $49,365 – $80,137 |
Current indexed funding (July 2026)
Step 6: Funding allocation and quarterly budgets
Once you are at the top of the Support at Home Priority System, you will receive a Funding Allocation Letter.
In 2026, funding is managed in quarterly blocks. This means your budget is refreshed every three months, allowing for better planning and ensuring funds are used for active care rather than sitting in a “holding account.”
Unused funds can be carried over into the next quarter up to the permitted limit.
Step 7: Choosing a provider and your “care partner”
You have 56 days to find a provider and sign a Service Agreement. A key feature of the new Act is the Care Partner. 10% of each quarterly budget is allocated to care management.
- Coordinate multiple services (e.g., a cleaner, a physio, and a nurse).
- Adjust your care plan as your needs change.
- Ensure the provider is meeting the new Statement of Rights.
- Your provider will assign a Care Partner (or equivalent care manager) who will work with you to coordinate services, review your support plan and help you get the most from your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I switch providers if I’m unhappy?
Yes. Under the 2026 reforms, “portability” is a right. You can move your Support at Home funding to a new provider with a standard notice period (usually 2–4 weeks). You generally need to give notice under your Service Agreement.
2. What if my circumstances change while I’m waiting?
You don’t have to wait until your package is allocated. You (or someone acting on your behalf) should contact My Aged Care as soon as possible to explain what’s changed. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to:
- Have your priority reassessed if your care needs have become more urgent.
- Have your situation reviewed to determine whether you need a higher level of support.
- Access other government-funded services, such as the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), while you wait, if you’re eligible.
- Be referred for another assessment if your needs have changed significantly.
If you’re already receiving some aged care services, it’s also important to let your provider know so they can discuss whether your current supports are still meeting your needs.
Don’t wait until your condition worsens further. Keeping My Aged Care informed helps ensure your care reflects your current needs, not just your original assessment.
3. How much will I have to pay?
Depending on your financial circumstances, you may need to contribute towards some Support at Home services. Clinical care is fully government funded, while contributions may apply to some independence and everyday living services. Services Australia will complete an income and assets assessment if required.
From 1 October 2026, approved personal care services are also fully government funded.
4. What can I spend the money on?
Your funding can be used for approved services across three broad service categories: Clinical Care (nursing, physio), Independence Support (showering, meals), and Everyday Living (cleaning, gardening).
In 2026, there is separate funding arrangements for assistive technology and home modifications.
