Applying for Support at Home? Eligibility, Funding, and How to Choose a Provider
What is the Support at Home program?
Support at Home is Australia’s in-home, government-funded aged care support program.
Support at Home came into effect on 1 November 2025. It replaced the previous Home Care Package Program and the Short Term Restorative Care program.
Support at Home helps older Australians live at home for longer by delivering coordinated care and support. Kanda provides Support at Home services, and you can find out more on our Support at Home page.
Under Support at Home you’ll access services grouped into three broad categories:
- Clinical care, including nursing and allied health.
- Independence support, which provides help with showering, medications, transport and other personal activities.
- Help with everyday living, such as domestic assistance, meal preparation, and home maintenance.
Short-term pathways are also built into Support at Home, for example, the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme, restorative care to regain capacity, and an end-of-life pathway.
What services are available under Support at Home?
If you are receiving support under Support at Home, you could be eligible for help with:
- domestic assistance such as cleaning, laundry, shopping, meal preparation.
- home maintenance and garden/yard tasks to keep your home safe and liveable.
- nursing and allied health services: physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, nursing care.
- assistive technology and home modifications to help you remain independent.
- transport, social support, and help with daily routines.
Support at Home also provides for respite care (in-home) for carers and families so that they can have a break while you still get the support you need. If Kanda is already your Support at Home provider, you’ll know that we provide in-home respite care as one of our services.
Can I switch to Kanda if I already have a Support at Home provider?
Yes. If you are already receiving in-home support through Support at Home, you can stay with your provider or choose a new one.
It’s important to choose a provider that you feel comfortable with. Look for a provider that will help you understand how Support at Home works, guide you through the available options and answer questions that you and your family have about how Support at Home works.
Read more about Kanda’s Support at Home services.
Who is eligible for Support at Home?
You may be eligible for Support at Home if you:
- are 65 years or older (or 50+ years if you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, or homeless/at risk of homelessness).
- have been assessed as needing help with everyday tasks and want to live at home for as long as possible.
How to apply for Support at Home
It’s simple to apply for Support at Home. There are 3 main steps:
Step 1. Arrange a Support at Home assessment
Visit the My Aged Care website or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to request an assessment.
An accredited assessor will evaluate your needs. This assessment is how the government decides what classification of funding and support you are eligible for.
Step 2. Choose a provider
When your assessment is complete, you’ll receive a letter confirming your approved services and funding.
Once you have this letter, you can choose a provider. Look for a provider that can provide the support and services you need.
Step 3. Set a service agreement with your provider and start receiving support
When you have chosen a Support at Home service provider, they will send you a service agreement. Your provider will help you by explaining the service agreement and answering any questions you have. When the service agreement is complete, you’ll begin receiving support at home.
Need help applying for Support at Home?
You can visit the My Aged Care website or talk to the Kanda Support at Home team by calling 1300 727 701
Understanding Support at Home fees and funding
The Australian government funds Support at Home. Your contribution will depend on your income and the types of services you receive.
Clinical care services are fully government-funded. For independence support or everyday living services, you may need to pay a contribution.
Some other funding considerations to note
- If you were receiving support under the previous Home Care Package services or if you were approved for a package before 12 September 2024 (grandfathered participant), your package subsidy will remain unchanged and you will continue to make the same contribution (if any).
- If you were assessed after 12 September 2024 ( “transitional participants”), there may be changes to contribution levels based on your services.
- If you are experiencing hardship and are unable to pay your contribution, you may apply for assistance.
The My Aged Care website has a handy fee estimator. Or if you’d rather talk to someone about Support at Home funding and fees, contact our Support at Home team for a chat. We can help you with information about how much you may need to contribute, taking into account your income and service type.
How Kanda can help a smooth Support at Home transition
Since 1997, Kanda has specialised in home care and support services. Our knowledgeable team can help you choose or switch your Support at Home provider, review your care plan, navigate the paperwork and ensure you receive the support you need.
If you’re waiting for allocation or are moving from another provider, the Kanda Support at Home team can help you understand where you stand and what to expect.
Why choose Kanda as your Support at Home provider?
When you choose Kanda as your Support at Home provider, you’ll be working with a team that has been providing care services since 1997. We have locations across Australia and we’re known for our commitment to person-centred care.
Your preferences, your plan, your home.
Prepare for your My Aged Care assessment
If you’re just getting started with Support at Home, the My Aged Care assessment is an important first step.
To help make the process go smoothly, we recommend you prepare some information in advance and spend some time reflecting on your support needs.
- Gather information about your current support needs, for example what tasks you struggle with (cleaning, meals, transport, personal care, nursing needs).
- Think about your goals. What would you like to keep doing or get back to (for example, cooking meals, gardening, going out).
- Make a list of your current health or mobility issues and any home hazards or modifications you might need.
- Consider your choice of provider: if you are thinking about Kanda, contact us early so we can talk through your options.
During the assessment, My Aged Care will ask you about your home, your daily life, your support network, your preferences. Understanding this ahead of time helps.
Once you receive your assessment result, you’ll choose a provider and enter into a service agreement.
Transitioning from NDIS to Support at Home
If you are on the NDIS now and approaching the age where Support at Home may become relevant, talk with your NDIS support coordinator about how your supports may transition to Support at Home.
Talk to Kanda about getting started with Support at Home
If you or a family member is considering Support at Home, now is a good time to engage, ask questions and choose a provider that fits you. Support at Home provides more flexibility and more targeted support at home.
The Support at Home team at Kanda can make the journey less stressful by guiding you through choice, transition and ongoing support.