Resources and FAQs
Your questions about Support at Home, answered simply
Resources
We’ve made it simple to find everything you need to know about the new Support at Home program. Download the factsheets and guides below to understand the changes, check pricing and learn how to access the right care and services for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Support at Home
The Support at Home program, which was launched on 1 November 2025, is a new Australian Government initiative designed to make in-home aged care simpler, fairer, and more flexible. It brings together several existing services into a single, streamlined system, making it easier for you to get the right support when you need it.
The program’s goal is to help you stay independent, healthy, and connected to your community while continuing to live safely and comfortably in your own home.
If you’d like help understanding how this new program will work for you, the BSL Community Aged Care team can explain your options and help you make the most of the support available.
The Support at Home program started on 1 November 2025. It replaces the Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs.
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) continues to operate separately for now with plans to transition into Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027.
These changes are part of the government’s plan to make in-home care easier to navigate and more consistent for older Australians.
If you’re currently receiving support or thinking about starting care, BSL Community Aged Care can help you understand what these changes mean for you and how to access the services that best meet your needs.
The program introduces a number of important improvements:
- A single, streamlined system that replaces multiple existing in-home aged care programs, making it simpler to navigate.
- Flexible quarterly budgets that allow you to adjust your services as your needs change (previously annual).
- Specialised pathways, such as the Restorative Care Pathway and the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications Scheme, offering more personalised support.
- A stronger focus on independence, dignity, and choice, helping you live at home for longer.
The BSL Community Aged Care team is here to help you make sense of these changes and guide you through what they mean for your individual situation.
For the latest information and support, you can:
- Call our Aged Care team on 1300 147 147
- Visit myagedcare.gov.au
- Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422
- Speak with an Aged Care Specialist Officer at any Services Australia centre (formerly Centrelink) for in-person help.
Transitioning from HCP
If you were receiving a Home Care Package, you are now supported under the Support at Home program. Your funding level remains consistent with what you had before, and you’ll continue receiving services through your existing provider.
Your contribution rate is determined by your income and assets, with lower fees for pensioners and Seniors Card holders. Any unspent funds accumulated before 1 November 2025 remain available for eligible services and equipment. From that date onwards, unspent funds cannot exceed $1,000 per quarter.
If you were on the waiting list, you are now part of the Support at Home program once your place becomes available. A new assessment is only required if your care needs have changed. While you’re waiting, you don’t have to manage things alone. The BSL Aged Care team can guide you through the process, explain your options, and help you make the most of your support once it begins. If you’d like to discuss how we can help, call 1300 147 147 or email us at agedcare@bsl.org.au.
You don’t need to change providers, you can stay with your current one if you’re happy with the care you receive. However, if your provider hasn’t discussed the recent changes with you, or if you’d like a more personal, flexible approach, you can choose to move to BSL Aged Care at any time.
We work closely with you to make the transition simple and stress-free, ensuring your services continue without interruption and reflect what matters most to you. If you’d like to talk about your options or see how we can support you under Support at Home, call 1300 147 147 or email us at agedcare@bsl.org.au for a friendly chat.
Services & Supports
The program offers a wide range of services to support your wellbeing and independence at home. Based
on your assessment, you may receive:
Clinical care – such as nursing care, occupational therapy and continence care.
- Independence – such as help with getting dressed, taking medications, transport or respite care.
- Everyday living – such as cleaning, gardening, shopping or meal preparation.
At BSL Community Aged Care, we take the time to understand your goals and tailor your care to fit your lifestyle, helping you live safely, confidently, and comfortably at home.
Sometimes life takes an unexpected turn — after an illness, injury, or a change in your health — and you may need extra support to recover and feel confident again.
The Restorative Care Pathway provides short-term, goal-focused care to help you maintain or regain your independence. Over a period of up to 16 weeks, you can access nursing, personal care, therapy, and allied health support designed to improve mobility, strength, and overall wellbeing.
Funding of around $6,000 to $12,000 may be available to cover these services, which can include assistive technology, rehabilitation, or home modifications to make daily life safer and more comfortable.
If your needs are urgent, Restorative Care can also offer quick access to help you recover safely at home — whether that’s short-term nursing, domestic assistance, or equipment to make your home easier to manage.
At BSL Community Aged Care, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. We’ll help you find the right mix of care and support so you can focus on feeling better, staying active, and living independently at home.
The AT-HM scheme gives eligible Support at Home participants access to funding for essential equipment and home improvements that help you stay safe and independent.
Examples include:
• Mobility aids such as walkers and wheelchairs
• Bathroom modifications like handrails or non-slip surfaces
• Assistive devices such as personal alarms or voice-activated systems
Funding is provided separately from your regular service budget and is approved based on assessed need. It is available for a limited period (typically up to 12 months) after approval and does not accumulate beyond the approved tier.
There are three funding tiers for both assistive technology and home modifications:
• $500 for small safety items, such as handrails or grab bars
• $2000 for assistive equipment, such as mobility aids
• $15,000 or more for major home modifications, such as ramps or bathroom upgrades (with supporting evidence)
At BSL Community Aged Care, we can help you identify the supports that make the biggest difference in your home and guide you through how to access the right combination of services. We can also assist with arranging assessments and coordinating approved equipment or home modifications, depending on your needs and eligibility.
When every moment matters, the End-of-Life Pathway offers care that brings comfort, dignity, and peace, right where you feel most at home.
This short-term program provides up to $25,000 in tailored support over 12 weeks, with the option to extend to 16 weeks if more time is needed. It helps you and your loved ones focus on what truly matters — being together — while we take care of the practical and clinical support.
Services can include nursing care, personal assistance, domestic help, and equipment to make your home safer and more comfortable. Your doctor or nurse practitioner can help begin the process, and those already receiving Support at Home services are given priority for faster access.
At BSL Community Aged Care, we walk beside you and your family with warmth, understanding, and respect. Together, we’ll coordinate care that honours your choices, supports your comfort, and helps you live your remaining time surrounded by care, dignity, and love.
Care Management & Access
Under Support at Home, your care is managed through a care partner. A care partner is a professional who works with you to plan, coordinate, and regularly review your services. This ensures your care continues to meet your needs as they change over time.
Your care partner will:
- Collaborate with you to create and adjust your personalised care plan.
- Check in regularly to make sure your services are meeting your goals.
- Allocate 10% of your quarterly budget for care management, even if you choose to self-manage.
At BSL Community Aged Care, your dedicated care partner will take the time to understand what’s important to you providing the right mix of professional advice and genuine care so you can continue to live well at home.
Begin by contacting My Aged Care to check your eligibility:
- Online: myagedcare.gov.au
- Phone: 1800 200 422
If you are eligible, an in-person home assessment will be arranged. After this, you’ll receive a care plan along with details of your funding.
Your Care Plan will identify:
- Your care needs and personal goals.
- The budget allocated for ongoing services and/or short-term supports, such as restorative care.
- A tailored list of approved services and assistive supports suited to your situation.
Our team at BSL Aged Care can help you prepare for your Care Plan, understand the process, and make sure your needs and preferences are clearly communicated so your care plan truly reflects what’s important to you.
The “no worse off” principle means that if you’re already receiving care, or were assessed as eligible by 12 September 2024, you won’t be disadvantaged under the new system. You’ll pay the same or less than you did prior to 1 November 2025 for services under your Home Care Package, and your level of care will continue without interruption. If you’d like reassurance about how this applies to you — or if your provider hasn’t explained what these changes mean — the BSL Aged Care team can help you review your situation and ensure you’re getting the right level of support as the program transitions
Funding & Costs
If you’re eligible for Support at Home, you’ll be placed into one of eight classification levels. Your level will determine the amount of quarterly funding you receive to access ongoing services – clinical care, independence support, and everyday living assistance.
- Level 1: $2,750
- Level 2: $4,500
- Level 3: $5,500
- Level 4: $7,500
- Level 5: $10,000
- Level 6: $12,000
- Level 7: $14,500
- Level 8: $19,500
The values are per quarter and if you don’t use your full budget, you can carry over up to $1,000 or 10% of your budget (whichever is greater) into the next quarter.
Your budget is determined through an aged care assessment that takes into account your needs, goals, and health. Funding is allocated every quarter, giving you flexibility to plan and adjust your services. Any unused funds can be carried over into the next quarter, up to $1,000 or 10% of your budget – whichever amount is higher.
Yes. If you don’t use your full budget in a quarter, you can carry over:
- Up to $1,000 or
- 10% of your quarterly budget – whichever is higher.
This gives you flexibility to plan ahead and use your funding when it’s needed most.
At BSL Community Aged Care, we help you make the most of every dollar in your budget, ensuring your care plan fits your goals and supports what matters most to you. If you’d like personal guidance, our friendly team can help you understand how to manage your budget under Support at Home.
Your contribution is based on both your income and the type of service you receive:
- Clinical care (e.g., nursing, physiotherapy): No contribution required.
- Independence services (e.g., personal care): Moderate contributions apply.
- Everyday living services (e.g., cleaning, gardening): Higher contributions, as these are generally not fully funded by the government.
Services Australia will assess your income and assets to determine your contribution level. Pensioners and Seniors Card holders generally pay less.
At BSL Aged Care, we’ll help you understand your costs upfront — with no surprises — and ensure you get the best value from your funding.
Get BSL’s Support at Home Quick Guide to learn more
A short summary of the upcoming changes to your home care support.
