What is the Support at Home Program?

What is Support at Home?

The Support at Home program is the Australian Government's framework for providing funded in-home care to older Australians. It replaces the former Home Care Packages and Commonwealth Home Support Programme, creating a single, simplified system for accessing aged care at home.

The program is designed to help people remain living independently in their own homes for as long as possible, with access to the care and support they need. Rather than moving into residential aged care, participants receive services in the comfort and familiarity of their own home — from personal care and nursing to household help and social participation.

The Australian Government funds the program, and participants may be asked to contribute to the cost of their care based on their financial circumstances. However, no one is turned away because they can't afford to pay — the system is designed to be equitable and needs-based.

Who is Eligible?

Support at Home is available to older Australians who have been assessed as needing support to continue living at home. To access the program, you'll need an assessment through My Aged Care, the government's central point for aged care information and services.

Eligibility is based on your care needs, not your financial situation. The assessment considers your physical health, cognitive function, daily living activities, and social circumstances. Once assessed, you'll be assigned a funding level that matches the supports you require — from basic assistance through to comprehensive, high-level care.

You may be eligible if you're an older Australian who is finding it increasingly difficult to manage daily tasks like showering, cooking, cleaning, or getting out into the community. Your GP can also refer you to My Aged Care if they believe you would benefit from in-home support.

What Services are Covered?

The program covers a wide range of in-home services that can be tailored to your individual needs. Services are flexible and can change as your needs evolve over time. Common supports include:

• Personal care: help with bathing, showering, dressing, grooming, and toileting — delivered with respect for your dignity and preferences
• Nursing care: clinical support from registered nurses including wound care, medication management, health monitoring, and post-hospital recovery
• Household tasks: cleaning, laundry, ironing, meal preparation, and general home maintenance
• Social participation: community access, transport to appointments, social outings, and companionship to stay connected
• Allied health: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, speech therapy, and dietetics
• Assistive technology: equipment and modifications that help you live more independently at home

The mix of services you receive depends on your assessed needs and the goals in your care plan. You work with your provider to design a package that fits your life — not the other way around.

How to Get Started

The first step is to contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. They'll guide you through the assessment process and help determine the right level of support for your situation. You can call yourself, or a family member, carer, or GP can call on your behalf with your consent.

After your assessment, you'll receive a letter confirming your funding level. From there, you choose your provider — this is an important decision, and you should take the time to find a provider that matches your needs, values, and location.

When choosing a provider, consider their clinical qualifications (do they have registered nurses on staff?), their service area, whether they provide consistent carers, and how they develop and review care plans. A good provider will take the time to understand your goals and preferences before care begins.

How Evia Health Can Help

Evia Health provides nurse-led in-home care across Melbourne's South and South-East. What makes us different is our clinical foundation — every care plan is developed and overseen by registered nurses, ensuring your health needs are managed with professional expertise.

We support participants under the Support at Home program with personal care, nursing care, household assistance, community access, and more. Our team prioritises consistency — you'll see the same familiar, trusted carers at every visit, not a rotating roster of unfamiliar faces.

If you or a family member is considering in-home care, we're happy to talk through the process and explain how we can help. Get in touch or call us on 0488 689 934 — there's no obligation, and we'll answer any questions you have.