The Australian aged care funding landscape changed significantly in late 2025, and what was once called a Home Care Package is now transitioning into a new programme called Support at Home.
The good news is that the support is still there. The process, while it involves a few steps, is manageable, especially when you know what to expect. This guide walks you through exactly how to apply, what each stage involves, and how to avoid the common pitfalls that can delay your care.
The Importance of Applying Early
For Perth seniors aged 65 and over (or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), Support at Home is the gateway to government-funded care that helps you stay living independently at home for longer, and with dignity.
The sooner you start the process, the sooner your funding is secured. There are wait times involved, and navigating them with a plan makes all the difference.
Step 1: Register with My Aged Care and Check Your Eligibility
The first step is contacting My Aged Care, the government’s central entry point for all aged care services.
Phone: 1800 200 422 (free call, Monday to Friday)
Online: myagedcare.gov.au (eligibility checker available)
Have your Medicare card ready when you call. The My Aged Care team will ask some initial questions to determine whether you’re eligible and what level of assessment you may need.
Perth Tip: If you’d like a family member or trusted person to help you manage your interactions or communicate on your behalf, set up a Representative or Supporter early in the process. This can save a great deal of back-and-forth later, particularly if you’re navigating this on behalf of an elderly parent.
Step 2: The IAT Assessment
Once registered, My Aged Care will arrange an assessment to determine what level of support you need. The IAT (Integrated Assessment Tool) has replaced the ACAT and RAS assessments.
In Western Australia, assessors typically come from WA Health teams or approved providers such as APM. The assessment usually takes place in your home and is a friendly conversation. The assessor wants to understand your day-to-day life, your challenges, and your goals.
The outcome of your assessment will be a Classification, which sits somewhere between Levels 1 and 8 under the new Support at Home framework. Higher levels correspond to more complex needs and greater funding.
Step 3: Your Notice of Decision: The “Golden Letter”
After your assessment, you’ll receive a formal Notice of Decision in the post. Keep this document somewhere safe, as it’s important.
Your Notice of Decision will include:
- Your approved funding classification (Level 1–8)
- A summary of your support plan
- Your unique Referral Code, which you’ll need to give to your provider
- A summary of your support plan, including specific services you can receive
A note on wait times: Under the National Priority System, there is a queue for funding allocation. Wait times in WA vary depending on your classification level and individual circumstances. It’s important to manage expectations here. Receiving your Notice of Decision does not always mean funding begins immediately.
Funding is assigned based on priority levels, not strictly first-come, first-served. Your place in the queue is held from the date of your assessment, which is another reason to start the process as early as possible.
Rather than receiving your full classification funding, you may initially receive a percentage of your funding for a few weeks.
Step 4: Your Income and Assets Assessment
Once you’ve received your Notice of Decision, contact Services Australia (Centrelink) promptly to arrange an income and assets assessment.
This step determines your Co- Contribution, which is the amount you’ll be asked to contribute toward your care costs. The remainder is funded by the government. This is an important step, as you will need to budget how much you will have to pay for the services you would like to receive.
Step 5: Choosing a Support at Home Provider in Perth
Once your funding is allocated, you have 56 days to enter into a Service Agreement with a registered provider. If you miss this window, you risk losing your allocated funding. You can request a 28-day extension if you have not chosen your support at Home provider.
This is one of the most important decisions in the entire process. Your provider will be responsible for:
- Developing your personalised Care Plan with you
- Coordinating your Care Team
- Managing your monthly budget
- Being your point of contact for everything that follows
Why a Local, Independent Provider Matters
Large national providers often have rigid structures: set time slots, rotate carers, and call centres. A smaller, locally operated Perth provider can offer something quite different: flexibility, genuine relationships, and carers who are matched to you, not simply rostered to fill a gap.
At Perth Care Partners, we work to fit into your schedule, rather than the other way around. We are selective about the carers we bring on, and we match them carefully to each client. You’ll have a dedicated Care Manager who knows your name, your story, and your preferences, and who you can actually speak to when something comes up.
Step 6: Starting Your Services
Once you’ve chosen your provider and both parties are satisfied it’s the right fit, you’ll sign a Service Agreement and set a start date for your care.
From there, your Care Manager takes the lead, developing your care budget, scheduling your services, and checking in with you regularly to make sure everything is working as it should.
This is an ongoing relationship, and a good provider will review your plan with you as your needs change, and will advocate for you if your circumstances require a reassessment.
In Summary
Applying for Support at Home involves several steps, but each one moves you closer to the care and independence you deserve. Here’s a quick recap:
1. Register with My Aged Care and check your eligibility
2. Complete your IAT assessment
3. Receive your Notice of Decision and Referral Code
4. Complete your income and assets assessment with Services Australia
5. Choose a registered Perth provider within 56 days of funding allocation
6. Sign your Service Agreement and begin your care
The process can feel overwhelming, particularly when you’re navigating it for a parent during an already stressful time. You don’t have to do it alone. Contact Perth Care Partners and we’ll walk you through the My Aged Care application at no charge, and help you understand what your funding could mean for your day-to-day life.
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