Support at Home is an Australian Government aged care program designed to help older people continue living safely, independently and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. The program provides access to a range of supports based on each person’s assessed needs, circumstances and goals. Services may include personal care, domestic assistance, meal preparation, transport, social and community participation, nursing, allied health, assistive technology, home modifications and other supports that promote independence and wellbeing. Following an aged care assessment, eligible participants receive an approved funding classification and care plan. At Ongoing Care, we work closely with each client, their family and representatives to coordinate services that reflect their individual needs, preferences, culture and lifestyle while supporting choice, dignity, independence and quality of life.
What is support At Home?
Support at Home Funding Levels
The Support at Home program provides eight ongoing funding classifications, designed to match different levels of care and support needs.
Level 1 – Entry Level Support: Designed for people who require a small amount of assistance to remain independent at home. This may include support with household tasks, meal preparation and transport. This level replaces entry-level support previously available through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).
Level 2 – Basic Support Needs: Provides assistance for people who require basic ongoing support to continue living safely and independently at home.
Level 3 – Low Support Needs: Suitable for people who need a lower level of regular assistance with everyday activities and maintaining their independence.
Level 4 – Low-to-Moderate Support: Provides additional support where a person’s care needs are increasing and more regular assistance is required.
Level 5 – Moderate Support Needs: Designed for people who require a moderate level of ongoing assistance with their daily living and care needs.
Level 6 – Moderate-to-High Support: Provides a higher level of assistance for people with more significant or increasing support requirements.
Level 7 – High Support Needs: Designed for people who require substantial and regular assistance to remain safely supported in their own home.
Level 8 – Very High Support Needs: Provides the highest ongoing classification for people with complex or very high care and support requirements.
Short-Term Support Pathways
In addition to the eight ongoing classifications, Support at Home includes three short-term pathways.
Restorative Care Pathway: This pathway focuses on helping people maintain or improve their independence and functional ability, primarily through allied health services. Eligible participants may receive up to 12 weeks of intensive restorative support.
End of Life Care Pathway: This pathway provides priority access to additional home-based care for people who have less than three (3) months to live and wish to remain at home. Eligible participants may access the dedicated highest funding classification of $25,000 for 12 weeks. This support works alongside, rather than replacing, specialised palliative care services such as symptom management and advance care planning.
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM): Separate funding may be available for approved assistive technology, equipment and home modifications to help people remain safe and independent at home.
Assessment, Funding and Your Care Plan
Your Support at Home classification is determined through an aged care assessment arranged through My Aged Care. Eligible participants receive a budget consisting of Australian Government funding together with any applicable personal contribution.
Funding is provided through a quarterly budget based on your approved classification. Our team will work with you to understand your approved services and help you decide how your available budget can best support your individual needs, preferences and goals.
Where funds remain available, you may carry over up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget, whichever is higher, into future quarters.
Before your Service Agreement begins, we will work with you and/or your Registered Supporter or Representative to develop an individual Support at Home Care Plan based on your assessed needs and goals. Your Care Plan will be monitored and reviewed with you at least every six (6) months.
Services will be delivered in accordance with your approved Care Plan and will continue unless your services are varied by agreement, suspended or your Service Agreement is terminated. Our team will support you to identify your care goals and develop an individualised budget that reflects your needs and preferences.
Fees and Participant Contributions
The amount you may be required to contribute towards your services depends on your circumstances, when you were approved for aged care funding and the type of services you receive.
Transitioning Participants
If you were receiving or approved to receive a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024 and were not required to pay an income-tested care fee, you will not be required to make contributions towards services on the Support at Home service list, including if your services or classification change.
If you were receiving or approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024 and were required to pay an income-tested care fee, you will not pay a contribution for Clinical Supports. Instead of paying a daily fee, your contribution will be based on the services you actually use. If you do not receive a service, you will not pay for that service.
Contribution amounts for Independence and Everyday Living services will depend on your circumstances and assessment. Services Australia may use information it already holds about your income or request additional information to determine your contribution rate.
Self-funded retirees may be required to provide income information to Services Australia. If this information is not provided, the highest contribution rate of 25% may apply.
New Participants
For participants approved to receive a Home Care Package after 12 September 2024, contribution arrangements will depend on their financial circumstances.
Full pensioners will contribute 0% for Clinical Supports, 5% for Independence services and 17.5% for Everyday Living services. Contributions apply to services actually received.
Part pensioners will contribute 0% for Clinical Supports, with contributions towards Independence and Everyday Living services determined according to their individual circumstances. Services Australia will use available income and asset information to determine the applicable contribution rates.
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders will contribute 0% for Clinical Supports. Services Australia will assess applicable contributions for other service categories using income information and may also request information about assets.
Self-funded retirees will contribute 0% for Clinical Supports. Services Australia may request income and asset information to calculate contributions for Independence and Everyday Living services. Where the required information is not provided, the highest contribution rates of 50% for Independence services and 80% for Everyday Living services may apply.
Participants only contribute towards services they actually receive. If a service is not provided, there is no participant contribution for that service.