Support at Home is the Australian Government’s main program for older people who need help to keep living at home. It started on 1 November 2025, replacing the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme. If you are helping a parent through aged care for the first time, this guide explains the basics.
Who it is for
Support at Home is for older people who need help with daily life at home. Eligibility is decided through an aged care assessment arranged by My Aged Care. You can start online at myagedcare.gov.au or call 1800 200 422. A family member can call on your parent’s behalf, with their consent.
How funding works: classifications
After the assessment, people approved for ongoing support are given one of 8 classifications. The more care someone needs, the higher the classification and the larger the budget.
Each classification has a quarterly budget. Services Australia holds the budget, so families do not manage the money directly. Some unspent funding can carry over from one quarter to the next, up to a set limit.
Short-term support
Alongside ongoing support, there are three short-term options:
- Restorative Care Pathway: mainly allied health, such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy, to help someone regain independence.
- End-of-Life Pathway: extra funding to help a person stay at home in their last three months of life.
- Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme: funding for equipment and changes to the home, such as rails or ramps.
What you will receive
After approval, your parent receives a Notice of Decision and a support plan. These show their needs and goals, their classification, their budget, and any short-term supports approved.
Will there be a contribution?
Most people make a contribution towards some services. The amount depends on the type of service and the person’s financial situation, and it is different for people who were already on a Home Care Package. My Aged Care explains the current rules on its costs and contributions page.
Already on a Home Care Package?
People who had a Home Care Package moved to Support at Home automatically. They kept the same funding level, and unspent package funds carried over.
Choosing who delivers the services
Once approved, your parent chooses who provides their care. Konex Care can deliver Support at Home services through our registered partner provider. We do not assess or approve funding. That is done through My Aged Care.
Waiting for an assessment can take time. If your parent needs help now, private care can usually start within days, and their services can move to Support at Home funding once approved.
Where to get independent advice
The Aged Care Advocacy Line, run by the Older Persons Advocacy Network, is free and independent. Call 1800 700 600.
Talk to us
Read our step-by-step guide on how to arrange in-home aged care in Melbourne’s south-east.
Book a free consultation at home or at our Murrumbeena office, or call (03) 8524 7699. There is no cost and no obligation.
Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Support at Home program – classifications and budgets. Program details can change; check My Aged Care for the latest information.