Key Takeaways
- Applying starts with My Aged Care, the government's front door for aged care. Phone 1800 200 422 or apply online at myagedcare.gov.au.
- There are four stages: register and phone screen, book an assessment, get your outcome and classification, then choose a provider and start care.
- Assessment is free. A trained assessor visits to understand what daily help you need. ACAT (the Aged Care Assessment Team) covers higher needs and RAS (the Regional Assessment Service) covers lower needs.
- Approval gives you one of 8 funding classifications, from 1 (lowest funding) to 8 (highest), which sets your quarterly budget.
- Government wait times for assessment and a funded place have recently been reported as lengthy, so applying early matters.
- A family member or carer can apply and speak to My Aged Care on your behalf.
What is Support at Home, and who can apply?
Support at Home in one sentence
Support at Home is the Australian Government program that helps older people get care and services in their own home. It began on 1 November 2025 and replaced the old Home Care Packages. Throughout this guide we use the current term, Support at Home.
Who Support at Home is for
The program is for older Australians who want to stay living at home but need a hand with daily life. That might be help with showering, cleaning, transport, meals, nursing or staying mobile and safe. You apply, you have a free assessment, and the government decides what level of funding fits your needs.
What you usually need to apply
You do not need much to get started. It helps to have your Medicare card and some basic details about your health, who lives with you, and the tasks you find hard. If someone helps care for you now, jot down what they do. That makes the phone screen and the assessment easier.
Step 1: Register with My Aged Care
Phone 1800 200 422 or apply online
Everything starts at My Aged Care, the government's single entry point for aged care. You can phone 1800 200 422 between business hours, or set up an account and apply online at myagedcare.gov.au. Both paths lead to the same place: a request for an assessment.
Be ready for the phone screen
The first contact is a short conversation, often called a phone screen. A staff member asks plain questions about your daily life. How are you managing at home? Do you struggle with any tasks? Have you had falls or recent health changes? Your answers help them decide which type of assessment you need. There is no exam and no right or wrong reply. Be honest about the days that are hardest, not just the good days.
Applying for someone else
You do not have to do this alone. A spouse, adult child, friend or carer can register on your behalf and speak to My Aged Care for you. With your permission, they can be set up as a representative so they can help with calls and paperwork later. This is common, and the staff are used to talking with family.
Step 2: Book your free assessment
ACAT for higher needs, RAS for lower needs
After the phone screen, you are referred for a free assessment in your home. Two types exist. An ACAT assessment (Aged Care Assessment Team) is for people with higher or more complex needs. A RAS assessment (Regional Assessment Service) is for people with lower needs who want some everyday support. My Aged Care decides which one suits you. You do not choose it yourself.
Expect a relaxed home visit
A trained assessor visits you at home. They sit down for a chat, look at how you move around your space, and talk through the tasks you find tricky. Expect questions about your health, your safety, your memory, and the support you already have. The visit usually takes around an hour. It is a conversation, not a test.
How to prepare and who to have with you
A little preparation goes a long way.
- Have a family member or carer with you if that helps you feel comfortable.
- Keep a short list of the tasks you struggle with and any recent falls or hospital visits.
- Have your Medicare card and a list of your medicines handy.
- Mention any equipment you use, such as a walker or shower rail.
Again, describe a typical hard day. If you only mention your best days, the assessor may not see the full picture.
Step 3: Your outcome and classification
Understanding your classification (1 to 8)
If you are approved, you are placed in one of 8 Support at Home classifications. Classification 1 carries the lowest funding and classification 8 the highest. Your classification reflects how much help you need, and it sets your quarterly budget. To see how the levels differ, read how the 8 classifications work.
What your budget pays for
Your budget pays for approved services across three areas: clinical care, independence, and everyday living. Clinical services such as nursing are funded in full. You pay no participant contribution (the part some people pay towards their care) for clinical services. For independence and everyday-living services you may pay a contribution. This is means tested, so the amount depends on your income and assets. A Care Management fee, capped at 10% of your quarterly budget, is taken from the budget to coordinate your care. This is a set program deduction, not a fee your provider negotiates (see Department of Health, Disability and Ageing Support at Home guidance).
If your needs are urgent
Tell My Aged Care if it is urgent
Tell My Aged Care if your situation is urgent, for example after a hospital stay or a sudden change in health. There are faster pathways and short-term options for people who need help quickly. Do not wait quietly if things have become unsafe at home.
Step 4: Choose a provider and start care
Self-managed or full-service
When a funded place becomes available, you choose a provider and a way of working. There are two broad models.
- Self-managed. You and your family find your own worker from the local community, agree a price, and the provider onboards that worker to meet Commonwealth standards. Self-managed rates often sit close to everyday market rates and include a 10% self-management loading that covers workforce assurance and paying invoices.
- Full-service. The provider employs the workers and gives you a fixed price list, with optional coordination and care management. Full-service hourly rates for everyday services usually sit higher than the matching self-managed rate.
Comparing prices before you decide
Prices differ a lot between providers, so it pays to compare before you sign. The government has deferred price caps for now but publishes indicative prices, which give you a useful yardstick. These are indicative figures, not price caps or recommended prices. You can compare provider prices in your area and see the services Support at Home can fund on this site.
A note on honesty: HomeCare Prices is operated by Trilogy Care. Trilogy Care is listed here and ranked by the same method as every other provider, with no special treatment.
Signing a service agreement
When you have chosen, you sign a service agreement. This sets out the services, the prices, and how you and the provider will work together. Read it carefully, ask questions, and make sure it matches what you discussed. You can take your time, and you can change provider later if it is not the right fit.
How long does it take, and why apply early?
Reported government wait times
Wait times have two parts: the wait for an assessment, and the wait for a funded place after approval. Recently published government estimates have described both as lengthy in some regions. Times vary by location and by how urgent your needs are, so treat any single figure as a guide rather than a promise.
Tips to keep your application moving
- Apply as soon as you think you may need help, not when things reach crisis point.
- Answer calls and messages from My Aged Care and your assessor quickly.
- Keep your contact details and representative details up to date.
- Ask about urgent or short-term support if your situation changes while you wait.
Questions about this topic
How do I apply for Support at Home?
Start with My Aged Care, the government's entry point. Call 1800 200 422 or apply online at myagedcare.gov.au. You complete a short phone screen, book a free in-home assessment (ACAT or RAS), receive an outcome with a classification, then choose a provider and sign a service agreement to begin care.
Is the Support at Home assessment free?
Yes. The assessment is free. A trained assessor visits your home to understand the daily help you need. You are never charged for the assessment itself. Costs only come later, and only for the services you use, with some everyday services means-tested and clinical care funded in full within your budget.
Can a family member apply for Support at Home on my behalf?
Yes. A spouse, adult child, friend or carer can register with My Aged Care for you and speak to them on your behalf. With your permission, they can be recorded as a representative so they can help with calls, the assessment and paperwork. Many families apply this way together.
How long does it take to get a Support at Home place?
It varies. There is a wait for the assessment and a separate wait for a funded place after approval. Recently published government estimates have described both as lengthy in some areas, and times depend on your region and how urgent your needs are. Applying early helps, so do not delay.
What is the difference between an ACAT and a RAS assessment?
An ACAT assessment (Aged Care Assessment Team) is for people with higher or more complex needs. A RAS assessment (Regional Assessment Service) is for people with lower, everyday support needs. My Aged Care decides which one you receive based on your phone screen. Both visits are free and happen in your home.
See what your care could cost
You can compare home care prices in your area before you commit to anything. It only takes a few minutes and there is no obligation. If you would rather talk it through, call Trilogy Care on 1300 318 723 and a real person will help you understand your options.
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