What Is Support at Home?

The Support at Home program is an aged care funding program that commences 1 July 2025.

Support at Home merges the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme into one system designed to simplify and improve the support of older adults at Home.

Why is Support at Home being introduced?

The Support at Home program follows the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which highlighted the need for a more integrated, flexible, and simplified in-home care system.

The community aged care system is made up of different programs with different rules and this is confusing for consumers and all stakeholders to navigate.

How does Support at Home differ from other aged care programs?

The Support at Home program is a merger of the Home Care Package program and Short Term Restorative Care program.

The Support at Home program differs significantly from the Home Care Package program.

It does not require clients to accrue funds for services and operates on a quarterly budget.

Additionally, it includes pricing caps and offers dedicated upfront support for allied health, assistive technology, and home modifications.

Who is eligible for Support at Home services?

Eligibility for Support at Home services includes:

• Individuals aged 65 years or older.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals aged 50 years or older.
• Individuals aged 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) who are on a low income and/or homeless, or at risk of being homeless.

Assessments for eligibility can be clarified by contacting My Aged Care.

What types of services are offered under Support at Home?

The Support at Home program offers a large list of services for older adults, including:

• Nursing care
• Allied Health
• Nutrition
• Personal care
• Social support and
• Community engagement
• Respite
• Transport
• Assistive Technology
• Home modifications
• Domestic assistance
• Home maintenance/repairs
• Meal delivery service

Community Therapy provides most of these services, with a few exceptions, such as nursing care and transport.

How can I apply for Support at Home?

You can apply by contacting My Aged Care.

What is the purpose of the Support at Home program?

The goal of Support at Home is to support older adults to live longer and better at home.

How does a healthcare company offer Support at Home?

Healthcare companies must be approved and registered as Support at Home providers to deliver services under the Support at Home program.

To learn more about the registration process, head to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s website.

 

Is CHSP Being Phased Out?

Yes, the plan is to phase out the CHSP and merge it with the Support at Home program,

This is also the case for the Home Care Package program and the Short-Term Restorative Care programs, which are also being merged into the Support at Home program.

When is CHSP being phased out?

The CHSP is scheduled to merge with the Support at Home program no earlier than July 1, 2027.

Why is CHSP being phased out?

Following the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the Department of Health and Aged Care is focused on making in-home aged care simpler to navigate.

Previously, there were numerous aged care funding programs – such as the Home Care Package program, Short-Term Restorative Care program, and Commonwealth Home Support Program – each with its own rules and access requirements.

As such, the usage of ‘just one’ program is a simpler approach.

How does the phase-out of CHSP affect current participants?

The Department of Health and Aged Care is collaborating with the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) sector, including organisations and participants, to develop a transition plan, described further in the next question.

The aim is to ensure that all CHSP participants are supported in their eventual transition to the Support at Home program.

How will the government ensure a smooth transition from CHSP to Support at Home?

As above, the Department of Health and Aged Care will release a transition plan for both organisations and consumers.

This approach aligns with the department’s previous methods of supporting the sector through major changes.

This typically takes the forms of published guidelines, FAQs, helplines, information sessions and established timelines.

Will CHSP clients automatically transition to Support at Home?

In short, yes, but transition rules will be released before the transition period begins.

What steps do CHSP clients or providers need to take during the phase-out?

There are no steps to take at this time other than staying updated on announcements from the Department of Health and Aged Care.

You can also sign up for Community Therapy’s sector newsletter on LinkedIn here.

What happens to someone’s existing CHSP funds?

Details about how the transition will occur including how services and supports will transition will be released in due course by the Department of Health and Aged Care.

 

Support at Home Pricing

How is Support at Home pricing structured?

Support at Home has a dedicated service list that outlines the services that older adults can access under Support at Home and how much can be charged for each service.

The Support at Home program is also means-tested for client contributions.

How do Allied Health companies charge?

Allied Health companies, such as Community Therapy, charge in line with the guidelines provided under the program.

For example, for Physiotherapy, there is a maximum price per hour allowed for the service under Support at Home.

Are there different pricing tiers/plans?

Yes.

Support at Home has different levels of classifications ranging from classification 1-8.

Each classification has a different amount of funding available for care. Consumers also receive approval for a separate budget related to any Assistive Technology and Home Modifications they may need.

Are there any co-payment or out-of-pocket costs involved in accessing Support at Home services?

Yes.

Support at Home has participant contributions and is asset-tested.

There are no contributions for clinical support services like nursing and physiotherapy.

Moderate contributions are provided for independent services, including personal care, products, and home modifications.

Higher contributions are allocated for everyday living services, such as domestic assistance and gardening.

How does someone’s income/superannuation/pension affect Support at Home pricing?

There are different rules for contribution rates based on the type of recipient, with varying levels for full pensioners, part pensioners, and self-funded retirees.

Additionally, there is a lifetime cap on the total contributions that an older adult can receive.

How can people estimate their costs under the Support at Home program?

Older adults can use MyAgedCare’s fee caclulator to estimate their costs under Support at Home.

https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/how-much-will-i-pay

How does someone apply for funding?

To organise an assessment for Support at Home funding, contact MyAgedCare.

Can someone have plan reviews like under the NDIS?

Yes, if a person’s Support at Home classification does not provide them with enough funding for the support and services they need then they can request a reassessment from MyAgedCare.

 

Support at Home Pricing Study

What does the Support at Home pricing study aim to achieve?

The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) is an independent government agency that advises the Australian government on funding for public hospitals and aged care services.

As part of the Support at Home reform, IHACPA is conducting a pricing study and consulting with the sector to establish pricing caps for services, in preparation for the program’s launch on 1 July 2025.

How is pricing determined for Support at Home services?

IHACPA provides a recommendation to the Government based on the analysis of other funding models and sector consultation.

What factors influence the cost of services under Support at Home?

IHACPA takes into account all aspects of the cost of service delivery including award indexation and superannuation changes.

Has the government conducted any studies to ensure fair pricing for Support at Home services?

Yes, before IHACPA took over pricing responsibilities for aged care services (including residential aged care and Support at Home), the government commissioned pricing studies as needed, often through third-party organisations.

How do the costs of Support at Home compare to CHSP and other aged care services?

It is difficult to compare Support at Home pricing to CHSP due to CHSP having a co-payment and being structurally different with respect to service provision and provider makeup.

Residential aged care is funded differently from Support at Home and isn’t directly comparable.

Support at Home pricing is more appropriate to compare to NDIS pricing, as both programs have similar service delivery, administrative, and regulatory requirements.

Are there any ongoing reviews to adjust pricing for Support at Home services based on client feedback?

Yes, IHACPA will take into consideration consumer feedback every year when conducting pricing reviews.

 

Support at Home Service List

What services are available under Support at Home?

• Nursing care
• Allied Health
• Nutrition
• Personal care
• Social support and
• Community engagement
• Respite
• Transport
• Assistive Technology
• Home modifications
• Domestic assistance
• Home maintenance/repairs
• Meal delivery service

The Support at Home manual also details inclusions and exclusions.

How do I choose the services I need from the Support at Home service list?

Older adults will typically have a coordinator or care manager from the Support at Home provider looking after them.

The older adult, or their guardian and the care manager will typically influence what services are required. However, sometimes a person’s doctor or MyAgedCare assessor may recommend services as well.

Are there any limitations on the types of services available under Support at Home?

Yes. There is a defined exclusions list for Support at Home

Can I customise my Support at Home services based on my needs?

Yes, people can customise the services and supports that you access from your Support at Home package by discussing this with your care manager or coordinator

What are the most common services utilised in Support at Home?

Some of the most common services consumers access through Support at Home include nursing care, cleaning, gardening, allied health services, purchasing equipment, and home modifications.

How often are services under Support at Home reviewed and updated?

Most people’s Support at Home care plan is reviewed quarterly by their care manager.

If needed, a reassessment request is made with My Aged Care if the current plan or package level is no longer suitable.

Who manages my services?

Consumers can self-manage their services or have their services managed by an approved Support at Home provider

What services does CT offer?

Community Therapy offers a variety of allied health services to older adults, including Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Dietetics, Exercise Physiology, Massage Therapy, and Allied Health Assistance.

 

Support at Home Manual

What is the Support at Home manual?

The Support at Home manual details the operational guidelines of the Support at Home program which Support at Home providers and consumers should adhere to.

How can I download the Support at Home manual?

The Support at Home manual can be found on the Department of Health and Aged Care website here

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/support-at-home-program-handbook?language=en

What guidelines are provided in the Support at Home manual?

The Support at Home manual covers a range of topics, including

• Eligibility
• Classification levels
• Service list and capped prices,
• Information about participant contributions
• Details about the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme, and much more

How does the manual ensure consistency in service delivery?

The Support at Home manual ensures that all Support at Home providers and consumers have access to the same information concerning the rules and regulations of the Support at Home program.

This ensures that consumers in all areas of Australia have equitable access to the same services and supports under the Support at Home program

Is the Support at Home manual updated?

Yes.

The Support at Home manual is updated regularly by the Department of Health and Aged Care and typically a FAQ will be released detailing the changes.

Are there specific sections of the manual for different types of providers?

Yes, different sections in the Support at Home manual detail various aspects of the program, such as the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme, which provides specific information related to equipment and home modifications.

What are the key compliance requirements outlined in the Support at Home manual?

The Support at Home manual details the new regulatory model that all Support at Home providers will fall under from the first of July 2025.

 

Support at Home Registration Categories

This information is aimed at organisations and workers either working in the Support at Home sector already or interested in the Support at Home sector

What are the registration categories for Support at Home?

Under the Support at Home program and the new aged care regulatory model, there are six registration categories that group service types based on care complexity and risk.

These regulation categories include:

Category 1: Home and Community Services

Category 2: Assistive Technology and Home Modifications

Category 3: Advisory and Support Services

Category 4: Personal Care and Care Support in the Home and Community, including Respite

Category 5: Nursing and Transition Care

Category 6: Residential Care, including Respite

How do providers register for Support at Home?

At the time of writing this article, the process for providers to register for Support at Home varies depending on their current Aged Care registration status.

Organisations that are already registered before July 1, 2025, will be deemed registered under the new aged care registration process. However, other providers will need to go through the new registration process.

What makes a provider eligible?

Organisations must apply to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to become an approved aged care provider and then proceed through an audit.

What are the eligibility criteria for each registration category?

Each registration category has different requirements in terms of what an organisation must meet from a compliance perspective and whether an audit is required.

How do registration categories impact the types of services providers can offer?

Organisations can only deliver services under the registration categories they are registered for.

How often must providers renew their registration for Support at Home services?

The standard registration period for providers is three years however this can vary due to a variety of factors.

How does the government assess providers under different registration categories for compliance?

Each registration category has different rules regarding the required compliance and whether an audit is necessary.

The higher the registration category, the more compliance is required, as the risk to the consumer is greater.