In this guide:
- How the Support at Home program works and how your funding budget is managed with your provider
- The full range of categories your funding can cover, from personal care and nursing to home modifications and social support
- What is not covered by a Support at Home package, including residential care, rent, and Medicare-funded costs
- How your care coordinator can help you adjust your plan as your needs change
- How Perth Care Partners helps you use your funding effectively across Perth and surrounding regions
- Answers to common questions about overnight care, transport, NDIS overlap, and funding levels
If you or a loved one has been approved for a Support at Home package, one of the first things you will likely want to know is: what can I spend this funding on? It is a fair question, and one we get very often at Perth Care Partners. Funding can be used across a wide range of services, from personal care and nursing support to home modifications and social activities. Understanding exactly what is covered helps you plan your care with confidence and avoid leaving valuable funding unused.
How Does the Support at Home Program Work?
The Support at Home program funds individualised care for eligible Australians, typically those aged 65 and over (or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples). Once assessed and approved through My Aged Care, you are assigned a funding level that reflects your care needs.
Your funding is held in a budget that you manage in partnership with an approved provider like Perth Care Partners. Rather than prescribing a rigid list of services, the program is designed to work around your lifestyle, health conditions, and personal goals.
Note: The Support at Home program is the Australian Government’s replacement for the former Home Care Package system, designed to help older Australians live independently in their own homes for longer.
Related → Support at Home | A Guide to Support at Home
What Categories of Support Can the Funding Cover?
The Support at Home program recognises that independence looks different for every person. Funding is generally organised across the following categories.
Personal Care and Daily Living
This covers the hands-on assistance many people need to start their day with confidence and comfort.
- Showering, bathing, and personal hygiene support
- Dressing and grooming assistance
- Toileting support and continence management
- Help getting in and out of bed safely
- Meal preparation and feeding assistance
Nursing and Clinical Care
For people managing complex health conditions, clinical support can be funded directly through the package.
- Medication management and administration
- Wound care and dressing changes
- Chronic disease monitoring (including conditions like diabetes, heart failure, or COPD)
- Post-surgery recovery support
- Catheter and stoma care
Allied Health and Therapy Services
Therapeutic support plays a critical role in maintaining mobility, cognition, and overall wellbeing.
- Physiotherapy and occupational therapy
- Speech pathology
- Podiatry and foot care
- Dietitian consultations and nutritional planning
- Cognitive assessments and therapy programs
Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Specialist Condition Support
Families navigating conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or recovery from a stroke often require specialised, consistent care. The Support at Home package can fund:
- Specialist dementia care workers trained in person-centred approaches
- Memory support activities and cognitive stimulation
- Behaviour support strategies for families and carers
- Parkinsons-specific mobility and communication assistance
- Stroke recovery programs focused on regaining daily function
Social Support and Community Access
Loneliness and social isolation are significant health risks for older Australians. Funding can be directed toward:
- Accompanied social outings and community visits
- Transport to appointments, shopping, or social events
- Support to attend community groups, faith services, or recreational activities
- Companionship visits at home
Domestic Assistance
Keeping a home clean and safe is fundamental to independent living.
- House cleaning and vacuuming
- Laundry and ironing
- Grocery shopping and errands
- Garden maintenance for safety (such as clearing pathways)
Home Modifications and Assistive Technology
Funding can support making your home safer and more accessible.
- Installation of grab rails and handrails in bathrooms and hallways
- Ramps and threshold modifications for mobility aid access
- Shower and bathroom modifications
- Personal alert systems and fall detection devices
- Assistive technology assessments and equipment trials
Palliative and End-of-Life Care at Home
For those with a terminal illness or nearing the end of life, the Support at Home package can fund compassionate care that honours a person’s wish to remain at home.
- Comfort-focused personal care and nursing support
- Pain and symptom management in coordination with medical teams
- Emotional and psychological support for the individual and their family
- Respite for family carers during this demanding time
Related → Aged Care | Alzheimer’s & Cognitive Issues | Parkinson’s Care | Stroke Recovery | Palliative Support Care
What Is Not Covered by a Support at Home Package?
Understanding the boundaries of the funding is just as important as knowing what it includes. The following are generally not funded through a Support at Home package:
Permanent residential aged care costs
General food and groceries (beyond assistance with the task of shopping)
Mortgage or rent payments
Medical costs covered by Medicare or private health insurance
Support for family members other than the approved recipient
Holidays or leisure travel as a primary purpose
Your care coordinator at Perth Care Partners can help you navigate what falls within your funding guidelines and identify other government programs that may complement your package.
How Does Perth Care Partners Help You Use Your Funding Effectively?
Choosing the right provider makes a significant difference in how far your Support at Home funding stretches and how well your care plan reflects your actual goals.
At Perth Care Partners, we take a genuinely person-centred approach. We begin with a thorough conversation about what matters most to you: staying connected with your community, managing a specific health condition, or simply getting through your day with dignity and ease.
Our team includes experienced care coordinators, registered nurses, and specialist support workers across the Perth metropolitan area and surrounding regions, including south of the river from Fremantle, Rockingham, to Mandurah and all suburbs in between. We work closely with your GP, allied health professionals, and family members to ensure your care plan is cohesive and responsive.
We also offer transparent, straightforward communication about your budget so you always know how your funds are being used and where adjustments can be made.
Frequently Asked Questions About Support at Home Funding
Can I use my Support at Home package for overnight care?
Yes, in many cases, overnight or 24-hour care can be funded, particularly if you have complex needs or are recovering from a hospital stay. This is assessed as part of your individual care plan. Perth Care Partners offers hospital-to-home care services specifically designed for this transition period.
See → Hospital to Home Care
Can the package pay for a support worker to drive me to appointments?
Yes. Transport to medical appointments, therapy sessions, shopping, and social activities is a recognised support under the program. Your support worker can drive you in their own vehicle or assist you with using public transport safely.
What happens if my needs increase over time?
Your care plan is not fixed. As your needs change, your care coordinator will work with you to reassess your plan and, where necessary, request a review of your funding level through My Aged Care. Perth Care Partners proactively monitors your care to identify when adjustments are needed.
Can I receive Support at Home funding alongside NDIS support?
This depends on your age and specific situation. Generally, people under 65 with a disability access the NDIS, while those over 65 access the aged care system. However, in some circumstances, a person may be eligible for both. Our team can guide you through the eligibility requirements and help you access the right combination of support.
See → NDIS
How do I find out what funding level I have been approved for?
Your funding level is determined following an assessment through the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). You can check your status and funding details through your My Aged Care online account or by calling 1800 200 422.
Ready to Make the Most of Your Support at Home Package?
Understanding your allowances is the first step. The next step is working with a provider who treats your funding as a tool for genuine, meaningful independence rather than a box-ticking exercise.
Perth Care Partners supports older adults and people with disabilities across Perth and the surrounding regions to live well at home, on their own terms. Whether you are managing a new diagnosis, recovering from a hospital stay, or planning ahead for changing care needs, our team is here to help.
Contact Perth Care Partners today to speak with a care coordinator about your Support at Home package options. Visit perthcarepartners.com.au or call us to arrange a no-obligation conversation about your care goals.
Perth Care Partners, specialist in-home aged care servicing Perth Metro and Mandurah, from Joondalup and Wanneroo in the north to Fremantle, Rockingham, and Mandurah in the south.
