What Is the Support at Home Program and How Does It Work?

If you’ve been looking into aged care for yourself or someone you love, you’ve probably come across the term “Support at Home program.” Maybe your GP mentioned it. Maybe you found it while researching options. Either way, it can feel like a lot to take in, especially when the system has just changed.

The new Support at Home program is designed to be simpler, fairer, and more flexible than what came before. And whether you’re just starting to explore aged care services at home or you’re already receiving support, this guide will walk you through what it means and how it works.

What is the Support at Home program?

The Support at Home program is the Australian Government’s new way of funding and delivering aged care to people in their own homes. It launched on 1 November 2025, replacing the previous Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will also transition into Support at Home, but not before 1 July 2027.

In practical terms, the program helps older Australians access government funded services, equipment, and home modifications so they can stay living safely and independently at home for longer. Think of it as a coordinated plan of support that’s tailored to your needs, your goals, and the way you want to live.

This reform came out of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which identified significant gaps in the way aged care at home was being delivered. The new program is governed by the Aged Care Act 2024 and is built around giving older people more choice, more transparency, and better access to the care they need.

What does the Support at Home program cover?

Under the new program, services are grouped into three main categories:

Clinical care covers nursing, allied health services (like physiotherapy and occupational therapy), and other health-related support. Importantly, clinical services are fully funded by the government, so you won’t pay a personal contribution to these services.

Independence support includes things like personal care (help with showering, dressing, and grooming), assistive technology, mobility aids, and home modifications such as grab rails or ramps.

Everyday living support covers the practical tasks that keep daily life running smoothly: cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, gardening, transport to appointments, and social support to help you stay connected to your community.

There are also three short-term pathways available: one for restorative care (a focused program to improve your independence), one for assistive technology and home modifications, and one for end-of-life care, which provides dedicated funding to support people to remain at home during their final months.

How are the funding levels structured?

One of the biggest changes from the old Home Care Packages system is the move from four funding levels to eight. The previous home care package levels (1 through 4) have been expanded to offer a broader range of support, so funding can more closely match your individual needs.

Your funding classification is determined through a My Aged Care assessment. An assessor will visit you at home to understand your health, your living situation, and what kind of help would make the biggest difference. Based on that conversation, you’ll be assigned one of eight classifications, each with a different annual budget.

Here’s a snapshot of the eight funding classifications:

If you were already receiving a Home Care Package before 1 November 2025, you’ll have been automatically transitioned to the new program at an equivalent funding level. There’s no need to reapply. And if your needs change down the track, you can request a reassessment for a higher classification.

What will it cost me?

Under the Support at Home program, you’ll contribute towards the cost of some services based on what you can afford. This is worked out through an income and assets assessment by Services Australia. A few things worth knowing:

Clinical care is fully funded. Services like nursing and physiotherapy are covered entirely by the government, so you won't pay a contribution for these. It's worth noting that some therapeutic services, such as osteopathy and chiropractic, fall under the Independence category rather than Clinical, which means they may attract a contribution based on your financial circumstances.

Independence and everyday living services may require a contribution, depending on your financial circumstances. Full pensioners typically pay the least, while self-funded retirees may contribute more.

A lifetime cap applies, so there’s a limit on how much you’ll ever be asked to pay. If you move into residential care later, this cap travels with you.

From 1 July 2026, the government will also introduce price caps on services, which will make it easier to compare costs between providers and ensure pricing is fair and transparent.

How do you get started?

The first step is to call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au. They’ll ask you a few questions to understand your situation and, if you’re eligible, arrange an assessment.

To be eligible, you generally need to be 65 years or older (or 50 years or older if you’re Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander). You might be eligible if you’ve noticed changes in what you can do, been diagnosed with a condition that affects your mobility or memory, or experienced a recent fall or hospital stay.

Once you’re assessed and approved, you choose a provider that suits you. Your provider will work with you to build a personalised support plan around your needs and goals. And if something isn’t working, you can change your plan or even switch providers at any time.

How Suncare can help

At Suncare, we’ve been supporting older Queenslanders to live independently at home for more than 50 years. We’re a not-for-profit provider with local teams across South East and Central Queensland, and we know that good support at home starts with understanding the person, not just their care needs.

Whether you’re navigating the aged care system for the first time, transitioning from a Home Care Package to the new Support at Home program, or just want to understand your options, our team is here to help.

We offer services across clinical care, personal care, everyday living, social support, and more. And because we’re local, we know the communities we work in and the people who live in them.

Ready to find out what support is available for you or someone you love? Give us a call on 1800 786 227 or get in contact us with today.