Understanding Support At Home Funding

When it comes to aged care, one of the biggest questions families ask is how the new funding system will work. The Australian Government’s Support at Home program, which launched on 1 November 2025, is set to make in-home aged care simpler, fairer and more transparent.

This new model introduces different classifications of Support at Home funding. Together, they form a flexible framework that matches each person’s level of need to the right level of financial support.

What is the Support at Home funding program?

The Support at Home funding program is part of Australia’s aged care reform. It replaces the previous Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) with one coordinated system.

Instead of trying to fit everyone into one of four package tiers, the new model uses classifications to allocate funding. This gives older Australians greater choice and control over how their care is delivered. Families can see how much support they qualify for and where the funding goes, making planning and budgeting far easier.

How do I qualify for Support at Home funding?

To access Support at Home funding, you first need an aged care assessment through My Aged Care. During this free, in-home visit, an assessor will talk with you about your health, daily routines and what kind of help would make living at home easier.

They look at things like:

✔ How you manage tasks such as cooking, dressing, and getting around
✔ Whether you need clinical or allied health support
✔ What kind of help have you already received from family or friends

After the assessment, you’ll be placed into one of the Support at Home funding classifications. This classification determines the amount of financial support you can access each quarter and the types of services you are eligible for.

If your circumstances change, you can request a reassessment at any time. The system is designed to adapt as your needs evolve.

How is the Support at Home funding allocated?

Funding is issued on a quarterly basis, rather than annually, so your care plan stays flexible. Each person has an individual budget that can be used to access approved in-home care services such as personal care, transport, meal preparation, or nursing.

If you don’t spend your entire budget, you can carry over up to $1,000 or 10% — whichever is greater — into the next quarter. This gives you more freedom to plan ahead for times when you might need extra help.

The government continues to fully fund all clinical care, such as nursing, wound care and physiotherapy. Contributions for other services, such as domestic support or social outings, depend on your income and assets.

The Support at Home funding levels

The Support at Home program includes eight classifications for long-term care and short-term pathways for specific circumstances.

Level 1 - 2: Light support
These levels provide a small amount of help for people who are mostly independent but need occasional assistance with things like cleaning, transport or meal preparation.

Level 3 - 4: Moderate support
For those who require regular help managing everyday activities. Support may include showering, dressing, shopping or medication prompts.

Level 5 - 6: High support
These levels are for people who need frequent personal care, ongoing nursing support or coordination between different care providers.

Level 7 - 8: Complex support
Typically suited for those with advanced care needs or multiple medical conditions. Services may include multidisciplinary nursing, therapy and close clinical monitoring.

Restorative Care Pathway
This short-term pathway provides up to 16 weeks of allied health and reablement services, valued at approximately $6,000 and $12,000. It helps people recover strength and independence after illness or a hospital stay.

End-of-Life Pathway
Designed for individuals in the final stage of life, this pathway provides up to $25,000 over 12 weeks, so people can remain at home with comfort and dignity. It ensures rapid access to the right level of care and emotional support for families.

How funding classifications are determined

Your Support at Home level is determined by your assessment and reflects how much support you need to live safely and comfortably at home. Each classification comes with a specific quarterly budget.

You and your provider can choose how to use that funding within the approved service list. If your health improves, you can reduce your services, and if your needs increase, your provider can help you request a reassessment.

How contributions work

The new funding system uses clear and consistent contribution rates. Everyone contributes differently depending on their financial situation and the types of services they receive.

Typical contribution examples include: