How to Apply for Support at Home in Melbourne

Contact My Aged Care

The process starts with a call to My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. This is the Australian Government's central point for aged care information, assessments, and referrals. A staff member will ask about your care needs, living situation, and what support you're looking for.

You can call yourself, or a family member, carer, or GP can call on your behalf with your consent. It's a good idea to have some basic information ready before you call — your Medicare number, any existing health conditions, and a general idea of what daily tasks you're finding difficult.

The initial conversation is a screening — it helps My Aged Care determine whether you need a full assessment and what type of assessment is appropriate. This call usually takes around 15-20 minutes.

The Assessment Process

After your initial contact, My Aged Care will arrange an assessment. Depending on your needs, this will be either a home support assessment (for lower-level needs) or a comprehensive assessment by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) for higher-level care.

An assessor will visit you at home to understand your daily needs, health conditions, cognitive function, and goals. They'll observe how you manage everyday tasks and talk to you about what's becoming difficult. The assessment is conversational, not clinical — it's about understanding your life, not testing you.

It helps to have a family member or carer present during the assessment. They can provide additional context about your needs that you might not think to mention — like changes they've noticed over time, or tasks they've been quietly helping with.

Choose Your Provider

Once your funding is approved, you'll receive a letter confirming your support level. From there, you choose any approved provider to deliver your services. This is one of the most important decisions in the process — the right provider makes a real difference to your quality of care and quality of life.

When evaluating providers, consider these factors:

• Clinical qualifications: do they have registered nurses on staff, or only support workers?
• Service area: do they cover your suburb reliably?
• Staff consistency: will you see the same carers regularly, or a different person each time?
• Communication: are they responsive, transparent, and easy to talk to?
• Care planning: do they involve you in developing your care plan?

Don't feel pressured to choose the first provider you speak to. It's your funding and your choice — take the time to find the right fit.

Start Receiving Care

Your chosen provider will work with you to develop a care plan tailored to your needs, goals, and preferences. This plan outlines what services you'll receive, when, and how — and it's reviewed regularly as your needs change.

Most providers will arrange an initial meet and greet before care begins. This is your chance to meet your care team, show them around your home, discuss your daily routines, and explain your preferences. The more your carers know about you from the start, the better the care will be.

Services typically start within a few weeks of choosing your provider. If you have urgent needs, let your provider know — they may be able to start sooner.

How Evia Health Can Help

At Evia Health, we make the transition to in-home care as smooth as possible. Our process starts with a free, no-obligation meet and greet where a registered nurse visits your home to understand your needs and develop a personalised care plan with you.

We provide nurse-led care across Melbourne's Bayside and South-East suburbs — from personal care and household support to clinical nursing and community access. Our team prioritises continuity, so you build genuine relationships with the people who support you every day.

If you've been approved for Support at Home funding and are looking for a provider, or if you're just starting the process and want guidance, get in touch or call us on 0488 689 934. We're happy to answer any questions.