Am I Eligible for Support at Home?

What is Support at Home?

Support at Home is the Australian Government program that helps older people get care and support in their own home. It covers things like help with everyday tasks, personal care, nursing and equipment. The goal is to help you stay independent and safe at home for longer.

The program that replaced Home Care Packages

Support at Home began on 1 November 2025. It took over from the old Home Care Packages system. If you are new to home care, you do not need to learn the old terms. The program now works around 8 funding bands, called classifications. A classification is the funding band the government assigns you, from 1 (lowest funding) to 8 (highest funding). Your classification decides how much funding goes into your quarterly budget.

Who the program is designed for

The program is built for older Australians who want to keep living at home but need a hand to do it safely. That might be a person who needs help showering and dressing. It might be someone who needs a nurse to manage a health condition. It can also suit a person who is mostly independent but needs a little support with cleaning, shopping or getting to appointments.

Am I eligible for Support at Home?

Eligibility comes down to two main things: your age and your level of need. A free assessment looks at both. Here is what each part means.

Age criteria

You can generally apply if you are:

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

Younger people who are on a low income, homeless or at risk of homelessness may also be assessed in some cases. If you are unsure, My Aged Care can tell you whether to apply.

Care and support needs

Age alone is not enough. The assessment also looks at whether you need help to keep living safely and independently at home. The assessor looks at how you manage day to day. Are everyday tasks getting harder? Have you had a fall, or do you worry about falling? Are you finding it tough to cook, clean or care for yourself? These are the kinds of needs the program is designed to support.

Residency and other basic conditions

To take part, you usually need to be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or hold an eligible visa, and you need to be living in Australia. You also need to be living at home or about to return home, rather than moving into permanent residential aged care. My Aged Care can confirm your situation when you register.

How eligibility is decided

There is a clear, free path from your first phone call to an approved classification. It has three main steps. Being assessed and approved does not mean your funding starts straight away. A funded place may follow after a wait.

Step 1: Contact My Aged Care

My Aged Care is the government's front door for aged care. You start by calling 1800 200 422 or visiting myagedcare.gov.au. A family member, friend or your doctor can help you make the call, or do it on your behalf with your permission. The staff ask some short questions about how you are managing. If it sounds like you may benefit, they arrange an assessment.

Step 2: The free in-home assessment (ACAT or RAS)

Next, an assessor visits you, usually in your own home. For higher or more complex needs, this is an ACAT team. ACAT stands for Aged Care Assessment Team, a group of health professionals. People with lower needs may instead see a RAS assessor (Regional Assessment Service). The visit is free. There is no charge to be assessed, and you are not locked into anything by having it done.

During the visit, you can have a family member or friend with you. It often helps to have someone there who knows your daily routine.

Step 3: Your classification

After the assessment, the government (through a My Aged Care delegate) decides your eligibility and sets your classification. As noted, this is one of 8 funding bands. A higher classification means more funding in your quarterly budget. Approval sets your classification. A funded place may then follow after a wait (see How long does it take, below). Once a place comes through, you choose a provider and start arranging your care. To understand how this step works in detail, read our guide on how your classification sets your funding.

What an assessor looks at

It helps to know what the assessor is weighing up. You do not need to prepare a case. Just be honest about a normal day and the parts you find hard.

Everyday tasks and safety at home

The assessor asks how you manage things like showering, dressing, cooking, cleaning and moving around the house. They also look at safety. Have you had falls? Do stairs or the bathroom worry you? The aim is to picture your real daily life, including the good days and the harder ones.

Health and clinical needs

Your health matters too. The assessor notes any conditions you live with, the medicines you take, and whether you need clinical care such as nursing or wound care. Under Support at Home, clinical care such as nursing is fully funded by the government within your budget, with no contribution from you. Other services, such as Independence and everyday-living support, may carry a means-tested participant contribution. How much depends on your income and assets, assessed by Services Australia. A participant contribution (also called a client contribution) is the share of a service cost that some people are asked to pay.

Carer and support situation

The assessor also asks about the people around you. Do you have a partner, family or friends who help? Is there a carer who needs a break now and then? This paints a fuller picture of the support you already have and where the gaps are.

What if I am not eligible yet?

A "not yet" is not a dead end. There are other ways to get help while your situation is reviewed.

Lower-needs and entry-level support

If your needs are modest, you may be pointed toward lower-cost, entry-level support for things like cleaning, social activities or minor home help. These programs are designed for people who need a little assistance rather than ongoing care. My Aged Care can explain what is on offer near you.

Private home care while you wait

You can also arrange private home care at any time, with or without a government assessment. Many families use private support to bridge a gap, then move onto funded care once it comes through. If you want to see what services look like, browse the home care services on offer.

Asking for a review or reassessment

Needs change. If your health declines or your situation shifts, you can ask for a reassessment. If you disagree with a decision, you can also request a review. It is fine to go back to My Aged Care and explain what has changed.

How long does it take?

This is the question most families ask, and the honest answer is that it varies. Here is what to expect and why timing matters.

Assessment and approval timelines

After you register, there is usually a wait for your assessment, then a further wait for a funded place once you are approved. Recently published government estimates suggest these waits can be lengthy, and they differ by region and by the level of care you need. Because the exact figures change over time, check the current estimate with My Aged Care when you register.

Why it helps to register early

The clearest tip is to start early. Registering puts you in the system and starts the clock, even if you are not sure you will need care right away. There is no cost to register and no obligation to take up a place. For a full walk-through of what happens after you are approved, see our step-by-step onboarding roadmap.

Questions about this topic

What age do you have to be to get Support at Home?

You can generally apply if you are 65 or older, or 50 or older if you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. Some younger people in special circumstances, such as those on a low income or at risk of homelessness, may also be assessed. My Aged Care can confirm whether you should apply.

Do I need a referral from my doctor to apply?

No. You do not need a doctor's referral. You can contact My Aged Care yourself on 1800 200 422, or a family member can do it for you with your permission. That said, your doctor can refer you and can be a helpful source of information during your assessment.

Is the Support at Home assessment free?

Yes. The government assessment is free, whether it is done by an ACAT team or a RAS assessor. Having the assessment does not commit you to anything, and there is no charge for the visit.

What is the difference between an ACAT and a RAS assessment?

Both are free government assessments done in your home. A RAS (Regional Assessment Service) assessor usually handles lower or simpler support needs. An ACAT (Aged Care Assessment Team) handles higher or more complex needs and involves health professionals. My Aged Care decides which one is right for you.

Can I get help at home if I am not eligible for Support at Home?

Yes. If you are not eligible yet, you may qualify for lower-cost entry-level support, or you can arrange private home care at any time. Many families use private care to bridge the gap while they wait, then move onto funded care once it is approved.

See what care could cost

Knowing you are eligible is the first step. The next is understanding what care actually costs in your area. You can compare what care costs in your area on this site, or call Trilogy Care on 1300 318 723 to talk it through. Trilogy Care operates this site and is listed and ranked by the same method as every other provider shown here.