Your guide to Support at Home eligibility (formerly Home Care Packages)

The Support at Home program launched on 1 November 2025. It replaced the former Home Care Package (HCP) system as part of the Australian Government's broader aged care reforms.

The new program makes in-home aged care simpler and more consistent. It brings several previous programs under one framework. There is now a single assessment process for all older Australians.

If you need help to stay independent at home, this guide is for you. It explains who qualifies, what the age and residency requirements are, and how to apply through My Aged Care.

Whether you are applying for the first time or transitioning from a Home Care Package, this guide covers what you need to know. 

Who is eligible for Support at Home?

Support at Home eligibility is based on three criteria: age, residency, and care needs.

You must meet all three to qualify. These requirements ensure support is directed to older Australians with genuine care needs.

Age requirements

To be eligible for Support at Home, you must be:

• 65 years or older, or
• 50 years or older if you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person

Younger people with disabilities, early-onset dementia, or progressive neurological conditions can also apply. This applies when other programs, such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), do not meet their needs.

My Aged Care assesses each application individually. Eligibility focuses on care needs, not age alone.

Specific age exceptions also apply for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness:

• People aged 50–64 who are on a low income and homeless or at risk
• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged 45–64 in similar circumstances

Residency requirements

To qualify for Support at Home, you must live in Australia and hold one of the following:

• Australian citizenship
• Permanent residency
• An eligible visa

Eligible visa types include:

• The Special Category Visa (subclass 444) for New Zealand citizens
• Partner visas (provisional and permanent)
• Protected person and refugee visas
• Certain bridging visas
• Some humanitarian visas

Eligible visa types are specified under the Aged Care Rules 2025. If you are unsure whether your visa qualifies, contact My Aged Care.

If you travel overseas temporarily, your quarterly budget continues to accumulate while you are away. 

However, Support at Home services can only be delivered in Australia. If you do not use your funding for four consecutive quarters, your funding will be withdrawn.

Needs-based assessment criteria

Support at Home eligibility is based on your care needs, not your income or assets.

You qualify if you need ongoing help with daily tasks such as:

• Showering, dressing, or personal hygiene
• Cleaning, cooking, or laundry
• Shopping or transport
• Managing medications or health conditions
• Mobility support or allied health services

A formal assessment determines whether you qualify for Support at Home and what level of ongoing funding you receive.

If you only need minimal help, you may be referred to the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) instead. The CHSP will also transition into Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027.

How do you apply for Support at Home?

Applying for Support at Home involves four steps: 

1. Contacting My Aged Care
2. Completing a needs assessment
3. Completing a financial assessment
4. Receiving your funding classification

Step 1: Contact My Aged Care

You start by contacting My Aged Care online, by phone on 1800 200 422, or in person at a service centre.

You will answer questions about your:

• Health and medical conditions
• Daily routine and activities
• What help you need at home
• Your current living situation

This initial contact screens your eligibility and books a formal assessment if needed.

Step 2: Complete your needs assessment

Once screened, a trained assessor will contact you to arrange your needs assessment. 

This happens through the Single Assessment System. This new system replaced the previous Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACAT), which were used for Home Care Packages.

It also replaced the Regional Assessment Services (RAS). The new system now combines both functions into a single process.

Assessments can happen:

• At home
• By phone
• By video call
• In a residential or hospital facility

The assessor looks at what you can and can't do on your own. This includes reviewing your:

• Functional needs
• Living environment
• The types of support that would help you remain independent at home

If you qualify, you will receive a referral code. You use this code to activate services with your chosen Support at Home provider.

Step 3: Complete the financial assessment

Support at Home is not means-tested for eligibility. Your care needs determine whether you qualify.

However, Services Australia will conduct an income assessment. This step determines whether you pay an income-tested care fee towards your support costs.

Your contribution rate depends on your financial situation and the type of service received. 

Clinical supports such as nursing and physiotherapy are fully funded by the government. In other words, you pay nothing for these.

For other services, the rates are:

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You can use the Support at Home fee estimator on My Aged Care. It helps you calculate what you might pay before you commit to a provider.

You can complete the income assessment through Services Australia online or by calling 1800 227 475.

Step 4: Receive your funding classification

After your needs assessment, you receive a funding classification. It's one of eight levels under the Support at Home program.

Each classification comes with a quarterly budget matched to your level of need. The eight classifications replaced the four Home Care Package levels.

Your funding covers services across three categories:

• Clinical care — nursing, allied health, and medication management
• Independence support — personal care, help with mobility, and therapy services
• Everyday living — cleaning, meal preparation, transport, and social support

What are the Support at Home funding classifications?

Support at Home uses eight funding classifications. Each reflects a different level of care need and comes with a corresponding quarterly budget.

Here are the current quarterly budgets and annual amounts for each classification:

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Note that these figures are effective from 1 November 2025. They're indexed each July.

Your assessor assigns your classification based on the outcomes of your needs assessment. As your needs change over time, you can request a reassessment to move to a higher or lower classification.

What if you were already on a Home Care Package?

If you had a Home Care Package before 1 November 2025, you automatically transitioned to Support at Home.

You did not lose your place, and you did not need a new assessment. The Australian Government applied protections based on when you were approved.

There are two groups with different protections, and it is worth knowing which one applies to you.

Approved on or before 12 September 2024

You have "no worse off" protections. This group is also called grandfathered Home Care Package recipients.

If you were not paying fees under the Home Care Package system, you will not pay contributions under Support at Home. If you were paying fees, you would pay the same or less. 

The lifetime contribution cap of $84,571.66 also applies, indexed every six months. New participants face a higher cap of $135,318.69.

Approved after 12 September 2024

You transitioned under the standard Support at Home contribution arrangements.

On the waitlist when the program launched

You moved into the Support at Home Priority System at a comparable level. When a funded place becomes available, you will receive a classification that matches your approved HCP level.

What is your quarterly budget?

If you transitioned from a Home Care Package, your quarterly budget is based on your previous HCP level. 

These amounts are indexed each July.

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Any unspent HCP funds you held at transition were kept. You can use them for eligible services once your quarterly budget runs out. 

Note that unspent HCP funds must be exhausted before you can draw on any new Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme funding.

Sensible Care can guide you through the transition and make sure your services continue without disruption.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for Support at Home if I'm under 65?

Yes. People under 65 can apply in specific circumstances. This includes:

• Younger people with early-onset dementia
• Progressive neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis
• Situations where other programs, such as the NDIS, do not meet their needs

My Aged Care assesses each case individually.

How long does the Support at Home assessment take?

The timeline varies. After contacting My Aged Care, an assessor typically contacts you within a few weeks to schedule your needs assessment. Complex cases or high-demand periods can extend this timeframe. You can ask My Aged Care for an expected timeframe when you first make contact.

Can I choose my own Support at Home provider?

Yes. Once you get your referral code after assessment, you choose a registered Support at Home provider. You can compare providers based on the services they offer, their fees, and their location. Sensible Care is a registered provider across a range of support types.

What happens if my care needs change?

You can request a reassessment at any time. If your needs increase or decrease, your funding classification can be updated to reflect your current situation. Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to request a reassessment.

Does Support at Home cover residential aged care?

No. Support at Home is specifically for people who want to remain living at home. Residential aged care is a separate program with its own eligibility and assessment process.

Get help with your Support at Home eligibility

Understanding Support at Home eligibility is the first step to getting the right support at home.

At Sensible Care, we help you check your eligibility, prepare for your My Aged Care assessment, and choose the right services for your needs.

Contact Sensible Care today to find out how we can support you through every step of the process.