Am I eligible and how do I apply?

If you or a family member is aged 65 or older (50+ if Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander) and beginning to need more help at home, you may be eligible for the Australian Government’s Support at Home program.

Support at Home is the government-funded aged care program designed to help older Australians remain living independently at home for longer.

It provides access to:

• Personal care and clinical services
• Allied health and nursing support
• Assistive technology and mobility equipment
• Home modifications
• Domestic assistance and everyday support

Many people initially pay for services privately.

Accessing government-funded home care through Support at Home provides structured funding, care planning, and ongoing support through a registered provider at no additional cost beyond regulated contributions.

Waiting times for funding can be significant, and early application protects your future access to support if your needs increase.

Importantly, applying does not lock you into regular spending. You are only required to access your funding once per year and you remain in control of which services you use.

Request a referral

The Commonwealth Home Support Package (CHSP) is a government-funded program that provides basic support services to older individuals who need assistance with daily tasks to remain living independently at home.

Local Guardians is NOT a CHSP provider and can only provide support to those with Support at Home Funding.

To be eligible for Support at Home Funding, you must be:

• 65+ years of age
• Or 50+ years if you identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
• And have completed an assessment under the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) and been assessed as having ageing related care needs that can be supported through the Support at Home program.

To apply for Support at Home Funding, you need to:

• Contact My Aged Care and request an aged care needs assessment under the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).
• Your aged care needs assessment will determine your eligibility for Support at Home and the level of support you are approved to receive.

Once you have been approved, you can choose a service provider and begin receiving your Support at Home funding.

Learn how to access Support at Home

For more information see our blog Accessing Government subsidised support to age in your home.

A My Aged Care Assessment is a formal eligibility and needs assessment conducted to determine what government-subsidised aged care services you qualify for.

It evaluates:

• Your health and medical conditions
• Your mobility and risk of falls
• Daily living activities such as showering, dressing and cooking
• Memory or cognitive concerns
• Home safety
• Existing family or community support

The goal is to identify the level of support required to help you remain living safely and independently at home.

Have questions? We’re here to help

The first step to accessing government aged care services at home is completing a My Aged Care Assessment.

You cannot receive government-funded Support at Home or residential aged care without first undergoing this assessment.

The assessment allows the government to:

• Confirm your eligibility
• Determine the appropriate level of funding
• Place you in the national funding queue
• Establish the foundation for your support plan

Request a referral

The time it takes to receive Support at Home funding can vary depending on your priority category and approval date. These wait times fluctuate so it’s best to check with My Aged Care for the latest information.

In some cases, you may be able to receive interim services while waiting for your Support at Home funding to become available.

• Interim funding provides 60% of your approved ongoing Support at Home funding classification
• The remaining 40% is allocated when it becomes available and is not backdated.

What is the difference between being approved for and assigned Support at Home Funding?

Being approved for Support at Home Funding means that you have been assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) and have been assessed as eligible to receive government funded Support at Home services.

Being assigned Support at Home Funding means that you have been allocated a specific level of funding from the government to pay for those services. The level of funding you receive is determined by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) based on your care needs and the availability of funding.

How long do I have to accept my assigned funding?

When Support at Home Funding is assigned, you have 56 calendar days to enter into a service agreement with a provider and start services. If the service agreement has not started within this timeframe, the funding will be withdrawn and offered to another client on the waiting list.

If you require more time, you can request a once-off extension of an additional 28 days by calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.

What happens if I no longer need my Support at Home Funding?

If you no longer need your Support at Home Funding, you can choose to end it at any time. You will need to provide written notice to your service provider, and any unspent funds will be returned to the government.