Support At Home New Services Categories & Budgets

Support at Home levels and classifications

When you’re approved for the Support at Home program, you’ll be given a classification based on your needs. These classifications determine your level of care and the budget available to you each quarter.

There are eight classifications that cover different levels of support. The higher the classification, the more care you receive and the larger your budget. Each classification level corresponds to a different degree of support, from occasional help around the home to high-level, ongoing care.

The following table outlines the indicative funding amounts for each level.

In addition, there are three short-term pathways for specific situations:

• Restorative Care Pathway — Provides allied health and/or nursing services for up to 16 weeks to help you regain independence, with funding of around $6,000 (which may increase to $12,000 for eligible participants).
• End-of-Life Pathway — Dedicated funding to support people at home during their last three months of life, with approximately $25,000 available over a 12-week period.
• Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme — Funding for equipment, technology and home modifications, available across low, medium or high funding tiers depending on assessed needs.

Your total home care funding will consist of:

• A government subsidy based on your classification
• A percentage contribution based on the types of services you receive

Budgets are reviewed quarterly, and you’ll receive a Notice of Decision with your classification, approved services and support plan.

For those who were on  a Home Care Package (HCP) prior to the launch of Support at Home, you should have automatically moved to the new program when it began. Your existing funding level will be matched to the equivalent Support at Home classification, so your level of care and services continue without interruption.

Support at Home services list

The government provides a Support at Home service list to clearly outline what’s included under each category. These three Support at Home categories help you and your provider plan how best to use your budget. 

1. Clinical supports

These services are delivered by qualified health professionals to maintain or improve your health, mobility and wellbeing.

Service types include:

• Nursing care — Registered nurse, enrolled nurse or nursing assistant support for medication management, wound care, continence care and health monitoring.
• Allied health and other therapeutic services — Support from physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, podiatrists, psychologists and more.
• Nutrition — Prescribed nutritional products and enteral feeding for people with specific health or dietary needs.
• Care management — Coordination of care services to make sure your supports work together to meet your goals.
• Restorative care management — Specialist planning and coordination for people on the short-term Restorative Care Pathway.

2. Independence supports

These services help you maintain daily routines, mobility and connection with your community so you can continue living independently.

Service types include:

• Personal care — Assistance with daily self-care such as showering, dressing, grooming, mobility and continence support.
• Social support and community engagement — Group or individual social activities, cultural support, help to stay digitally connected and accompanied outings or appointments.
• Therapeutic services for independent living — Access to acupuncture, chiropractic care, remedial massage, diversional therapy, art therapy or osteopathy to promote wellbeing and mobility.
• Respite — Short-term care to give family or informal carers a break while ensuring the person continues to receive support.
• Transport — Direct or indirect transport services to help you attend medical appointments, run errands or participate in community activities.

3. Everyday living supports

These services focus on keeping your home safe, clean and comfortable, making it easier for you to remain independent at home.

Service types include:

• Assistive technology and home modifications — Equipment, tools and home changes to support mobility and independence.
• Domestic assistance — General house cleaning, laundry and shopping help.
• Home maintenance and repairs — Essential gardening, minor repairs and safety-related tasks such as replacing light bulbs or cleaning gutters.
• Meals — Help with meal preparation at home or delivery of pre-prepared meals.

Some services, such as general household expenses, cosmetic treatments or activities not related to your care needs, are not covered under the Support at Home services list.

How the budget works

Your funding is divided into quarterly budgets, giving you flexibility throughout the year. If you join mid-quarter, your budget will be adjusted on a pro-rata basis. Your budget will be held by Services Australia on your behalf. This means you don’t need to manage expenses yourself — your provider will work with you to decide how your funding is used in line with your approved services and support plan.

A few key points to know:

• Carrying over funds — If you don’t use your full budget in a quarter, you can carry over up to $1,000 or 10% (whichever is higher).
• Unspent funds — If you previously received a Home Care Package, any unspent funds will carry over to the Support at Home program. These funds must be used first for approved services before applying for additional funding or higher-level support, including programs such as the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme.
• Statements — Your provider must give you a monthly statement showing what services were used and how your budget is tracking.
• Contributions — You may need to contribute depending on your income, when you received your funding and the services you receive, but this will be explained when you are approved.

Take the next step with Homecare My Way

The Support at Home program is designed to give you choice and peace of mind. By understanding the classifications, the Support at Home services list and your budgets, you can feel confident about planning care that suits your lifestyle.

If you’d like to explore more about the Support at Home program or learn how self-management could give you even greater flexibility, Homecare My Way is here to help. Our team of Care Partners are ready to guide you through your options so you can live life your way.