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Support at Home — Everything You Need to Know

The Australian Government’s new aged care program, replacing Home Care Packages from 1 November 2025.

About Support at Home

What Is Support at Home?

Support at Home is the Australian Government’s home-based aged care program under the Aged Care Act 2024. It replaced the previous Home Care Package system from 1 November 2025.

It provides government-funded support to help eligible older Australians:

  • Remain living independently in their own homes
  • Access personal care, domestic help, nursing, allied health, social support, and more
  • Receive targeted short-term care through specialised pathways

Support at Home consists of:

  • 8 ongoing funding classifications (Levels 1–8) with increasing quarterly budgets
  • 3 short-term pathways: Restorative Care Pathway, End-of-Life Pathway, and the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme
Who Is Eligible?

Who Can Access Support at Home?

Under the Aged Care Act 2024, you may be eligible for a government-funded aged care needs assessment if you are:

  • Aged 65 or over, OR
  • An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person aged 50 or over, OR
  • Homeless or at risk of homelessness and aged 50 or over

AND you must have one or both of the following care needs:

  • Difficulty — whether physical, mental, or social — undertaking daily living activities, OR
  • A need for help from another person, or an aid, to maintain your capacity to function independently

📌 Note:  People under 65 may access aged care services in limited circumstances. Contact My Aged Care or Maison Care Services for individual guidance.

Funding Classifications

Support at Home Funding Levels

Support at Home has 8 ongoing funding classifications. Your classification is determined through a free aged care needs assessment. Higher classifications reflect higher levels of need.

Your annual budget is divided into quarterly (3-monthly) allocations. You can carry over unspent funds of up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget (whichever is greater) to the next quarter.

10% of your quarterly budget is allocated to care management — the coordination, planning, and clinical support your registered provider delivers.

Funding Table — all amounts are indicative and subject to indexation:

💡 Fee Estimator:  Use the official fee estimator at myagedcare.gov.au/support-at-home-fee-estimator to calculate your contributions. Your care partner at Maison will walk you through this.

Classification Quarterly Budget Annual Amount
1 – Entry Level $2,682.75 $10,731.00
2 $4,008.61 $16,034.45
3 $5,491.43 $21,965.70
4 $7,424.10 $29,696.40
5 $9,924.35 $39,697.40
6 $12,028.58 $48,114.30
7 $14,537.04 $58,148.15
8 – Highest Need $19,526.59 $78,106.35
Restorative Care Pathway Up to $6,011 (16 wks) — may increase to $12,000 Short-term
End-of-Life Pathway $25,035.36 (up to 16 wks) Short-term
AT-HM Scheme Low $500 / Med $2,000 / High $15,000 Based on need
Pathways

The Three Short-Term Pathways

Pathway 1

Restorative Care Pathway (RCP)

The Restorative Care Pathway is a short-term, intensive program designed to help you regain independence after a functional decline.

Who it is for:

  • People who have experienced a decline in function that is likely to improve with intensive support
  • People who have goals aligned with regaining independence (e.g. 'I want to return to cooking for myself', 'I want to manage my own medications')
  • People who are motivated and able to actively participate in clinical interventions
  • People who have been approved for an ongoing Support at Home classification

What it provides:

  • Up to $6,011 for up to 16 weeks (may increase to $12,000 in eligible cases)
  • A coordinated multidisciplinary team — allied health professionals and/or nursing
  • A restorative care partner who coordinates your goals, monitors your progress, and develops an exit plan
  • May also include Assistive Technology and Home Modifications funding

What it is not:

  • It is not a mechanism to access urgent services
  • It is not additional funding to supplement ongoing services
  • It cannot be accessed at the same time as the End-of-Life Pathway
Pathway 2
End-of-Life Pathway

The End-of-Life Pathway provides compassionate, intensive in-home care for people with a life-limiting illness.

What it provides:

  • Up to $25,035 for up to 16 weeks
  • Intensive support to allow people to remain at home with dignity during this time
  • Services are prioritised — End-of-Life Pathway referrals receive high priority status

💙 A note:  Maison Care Services approaches end-of-life care with the utmost compassion, cultural sensitivity, and respect for your family’s values and traditions.

Pathway 2
End-of-Life Pathway

The End-of-Life Pathway provides compassionate, intensive in-home care for people with a life-limiting illness.

What it provides:

  • Up to $25,035 for up to 16 weeks
  • Intensive support to allow people to remain at home with dignity during this time
  • Services are prioritised — End-of-Life Pathway referrals receive high priority status

💙 A note:  Maison Care Services approaches end-of-life care with the utmost compassion, cultural sensitivity, and respect for your family’s values and traditions.

Pathway 3
Assistive Technology & Home Modifications (AT-HM)

This pathway funds equipment and modifications to help you remain safe and independent at home.

Assistive Technology (short-term, 12 months):

  • Low tier: $500
  • Medium tier: $2,000
  • High tier: $15,000 (or higher with a valid prescription from a qualified health professional)
  • Progressive condition bundles: funding available for 24 months (extendable)

Assistive Technology (ongoing): Assistance dogs — $2,000 per year

Home Modifications (short-term, 12 months):

  • Low tier: $500
  • Medium tier: $2,000
  • High tier: $15,000 (providers may apply for a 12-month extension)

Examples include: ramps, handrails, grab rails, bathroom modifications, non-slip flooring, personal alarms.