If you’re caring for an ageing parent or thinking about your own future care needs, you’ve likely heard about changes happening in Australian aged care. The new Support at Home programme replaced the Home Care Packages Programme and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme on 1 November 2025, and we know that navigating government programmes during an already stressful time can feel overwhelming.
At Perth Care Partners, we’re here to help you understand what these changes mean for you and your loved ones. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Support at Home in straightforward terms.
What Is Support at Home?
The Support at Home programme delivers government-funded aged care services to help older people stay at home for longer. It’s the Australian Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, designed to create a simpler, fairer system that gives older Australians more choice and control over their care.
Think of it as a more flexible, personalised approach to in-home care that recognises everyone’s needs are different. Whether your mum needs help with household tasks a few times a week, or your dad requires more complex nursing care, Support at Home aims to provide the right level of support at the right time.
What’s Changed?
If you were receiving a Home Care Package or STRC, your services transition to Support at Home. People who were approved on or before 12 September 2024 are covered by a ‘no worse-off’ safeguard during transition.
If you are approved to receive ongoing Support at Home services, you will be assigned one of 8 classifications with funding, replacing the previous four-level system.
Key improvements include:
- More funding levels: Eight classifications instead of four, allowing for more tailored support
- Quarterly budgets: Under Support at Home, contributions are pay-as-you-use. You’re charged only for the approved services actually delivered in the period
- Separate equipment funding: The AT-HM scheme provides up-front funding for assessed equipment and home modifications, separate from your quarterly budget. It gives you access to products, equipment and home adjustments to meet your assessed needs
- Short-term pathways: Three specialised pathways for restorative care, assistive technology, and end-of-life care
Note: The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) continues for now and is scheduled to move into Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027.
How Do You Access Support at Home?
The process is straightforward, and we’re here to guide you through every step:
1. Contact My Aged Care
Call 1800 200 422. The contact centre is open Monday to Friday 8 AM – 8 PM and Saturday 10 AM – 2 PM. They will do an initial screening and create your record.
2. Complete an Assessment
A trained assessor meets you to confirm eligibility and document your needs. This assessment determines the supports you are approved to receive and informs your future funding classification. 
3. Receive your Notice of Decision
You get a Notice of Decision that sets out your approved services and support plan. If you are approved for ongoing Support at Home, you are assigned one of 8 funding classifications. You may need to wait until funding is available. 
4. Choose Your Provider and Start Services
When funding is available, you select a provider and enter a service agreement. Your provider delivers services in line with your assessed needs and classification budget.
Why Choose Perth Care Partners for Your Support at Home Services?
We understand that choosing a care provider is about finding people you can trust during a vulnerable time. Here’s what sets us apart:
- We’re responsive and local: You’ll speak directly to your care manager, not a call centre. When you ring, you’ll get a real person who knows your situation and genuinely cares.
- We match carers thoughtfully: We don’t just send whoever’s available. We take time to understand your loved one’s personality, preferences, and needs, then carefully match them with a carer who’s the right fit.
- We’re flexible with your schedule: Unlike larger organisations that dictate appointment times, we work around your life. If your dad wants to attend his lawn bowls on Tuesday mornings, we’ll schedule care around that.
- We support independence: Our goal isn’t to help your loved one maintain their independence and dignity for as long as possible. If they want to keep tending their garden or cooking their favourite meals, we’ll support them to do exactly that.
- We’re selective about who we work with: We’re honest about whether we’re the right fit for your situation. We’d rather refer you to someone better suited than take on clients we can’t serve properly. This means the clients we do have receive exceptional, personalised care.
What Services Are Available with Support at Home?
Support at Home covers a comprehensive range of services to help older Australians remain independent:
- Personal care (showering, dressing, grooming)
- Domestic assistance (cleaning, laundry, meal preparation)
- Nursing care
- Allied health services (physiotherapy, occupational therapy)
- Social support and community participation
- Transport to appointments
- Respite care for family carers
- Home modifications and assistive technology
Clinical supports, including nursing and allied health, are funded by the Australian Government, so participant contributions apply to non-clinical services you use.
Understanding Costs and Contributions
We know cost is a significant concern for families. You will need to contribute towards the cost of your services, based on the service being delivered and what you can afford. You may also have to provide information about your income and assets to Services Australia to work out exactly how much you will be asked to contribute.
The good news? The government has implemented a “no worse-off” principle, meaning if you were receiving a Home Care Package before 1 November 2025, you won’t pay more under Support at Home.
Perth Care Partners offers mid-range pricing. We’re not the cheapest option, but we’re not the most expensive either. What you get is exceptional value: responsive service, carefully matched carers, and genuine personal attention that larger providers simply can’t offer.
Special Pathways for Specific Needs
Support at Home includes three short-term pathways designed for specific situations.
Restorative Care Pathway
Short-term care to help you regain function and stay independent through accessing coordinated allied health and/or nursing services. It lowers the need for more intensive ongoing services and helps you to do the activities you enjoy.
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications
Upfront funding for equipment like walkers, shower chairs, or home modifications like grab rails, without needing to save up from your regular care budget.
End-of-Life Pathway
Additional support for those who wish to remain at home during their final months, with enhanced care and services.
Support for DVA Cardholders
If your loved one is a veteran or war widow/widower with a Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) card, they may be eligible for additional support through DVA Community Nursing. We work with DVA clients regularly and can help you navigate this process.
If you’re wondering whether Support at Home is right for your loved one, or if you’re already approved and looking for a provider who’ll treat your family member with the dignity and respect they deserve, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us to enquire today.
Perth Care Partners is a registered aged care provider serving Perth Metro and Mandurah. We specialise in personalised, responsive home care that honours the independence and dignity of older Western Australians.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need to reapply if I was already receiving a Home Care Package?
No. If you were receiving a Home Care Package before 1 November 2025, you’ve automatically transitioned to Support at Home with equivalent funding.
2. How long does it take to get approved?
Once approved for Support at Home services, the wait time for funding depends on the date of approval, your priority category (urgent, high, medium, or standard), and if you’re approved for a short-term pathway. The higher your priority category, the less time you will have to wait to start receiving your approved funding.
3. Can I change providers if I’m not happy?
Absolutely. You have the right to choose your provider and change providers if your needs aren’t being met.
4. What if my loved one’s needs change?
You can also ask for a reassessment if your needs change at a later point. We’ll support you through this process.
