Support at Home explained for families
The Support at Home program replaced Home Care Packages in late 2025. Here is what it means for you and your family, without the jargon.
If you have been looking into aged care for a parent or partner, you have probably seen the words Support at Home and wondered what they actually mean. The short version: it is the Australian Government's single program for care delivered in your own home, and it replaced the older Home Care Packages program and Short-Term Restorative Care from 1 November 2025.
Who is it for?
Support at Home is for older people, generally aged 65 and over (50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), who need some help to keep living safely at home. That help might be clinical, like nursing, or practical, like cleaning and transport.
How does assessment work?
Everything starts with My Aged Care. You register, answer some questions, and an assessor visits to understand your needs. The outcome is a classification that sets how much funding you can access each quarter. Assessments are independent of providers, which means the provider you choose does not influence the result.
What does it fund?
Services are grouped into three areas, and these are the groupings we use on our own services page:
- Clinical supports, such as nursing care and allied health
- Independence services, such as personal care, respite and care management
- Everyday living services, such as domestic assistance, meals, social support and transport
Choosing a provider
Once you have your classification, you choose a registered provider to deliver your services. Look for clear information about who oversees clinical care, how staff are screened, whether you will have a consistent care team, and how complaints are handled. Ask to meet the care manager before you commit.
Good Samaritan Home & Aged Care is a newly established provider. Our application for registration is in progress and we are happy to talk you through the process at any stage.
