The Australian Government is changing in-home care to help you live independently at home for longer.
The Support at Home program begins on 1 November. It will replace the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme. Support at Home is part of the new Aged Care Act, which puts the rights of older people first.
This page has information on Support at Home, what it means for you if you already receive a Home Care Package, and links to useful resources.
About the Support at Home program
Under Support at Home, you will have better access to services, products, equipment and home modifications to help you remain healthy, active and socially connected.
Support at Home includes:
- more funding levels for complex needs
- better access to assessment and reassessments as your needs change
- the Restorative Care Pathway, to maintain and improve your independence through allied health services
- the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme for access to products, equipment and home modifications to meet your assessed needs
- the End-of-Life Pathway, with extra funding to support older people to stay at home in their last 3 months of life.
Based on your aged care assessment and eligibility, your provider will discuss with you the mix of services to meet your needs and budget.
If you're currently receiving a Home Care Package
If you're already receiving a Home Care Package, you can talk to your provider about moving to Support at Home and what it means for you.
Helpful Support at Home resources
- Factsheet: Support at Home program – Assistive technology and home modifications (AT-HM) scheme
- Factsheet: Support at Home program - Care management
- Factsheet: Support at Home program - Classifications and budgets
- Factsheet: Support at Home program - End-of-Life Pathway
- Factsheet: Support at Home program - Participant contributions
- Factsheet: Support at Home program – Restorative Care Pathway
- Factsheet: Support at Home program – Self-management
- Factsheet: Support at Home program - Services
- Factsheet: Hardship assistance for aged care
- Support at Home booklet for older people, families and carers
- Support at Home booklet for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Consumer protections for Support at Home prices – fact sheet for participants
- Checklist: What you need to do to prepare to move to Support at Home