Understanding Support at Home.
Support at Home is the Australian Government program that helps older people stay living safely and independently in their own homes for longer. It provides coordinated care and services based on your assessed needs. Care Homes on Wheels is a provider under this program.
We deliver person-centred home care across all three funded service categories:
CLINICAL CARE
INDEPENDENCE
EVERYDAY LIVING
What is Support at Home?
Support at Home started on 1 November 2025. It replaced the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme. (The Commonwealth Home Support Program continues to operate until at least 30 June 2029.) The program offers a defined list of services to support clinical needs, independence and everyday living. It also includes short-term pathways for restorative care, assistive technology and home modifications, and end-of-life support. Government rules, funding amounts and contribution arrangements can change. Always check the latest official information with My Aged Care.
Who may be eligible?
Support at Home may help older Australians who need regular or coordinated support to stay at home. This includes people who:
- find everyday tasks harder
- need clinical care such as nursing or therapy at home
- want help to stay independent and connected
- have a family carer who needs occasional respite
Eligibility is decided through an aged care assessment. In general, people aged 65 years and over (or 50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) who are Australian citizens or permanent residents may be eligible.
How a person starts the process
1
Contact My Aged Care
- Call 1800 200 422 (Monday to Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 10am–2pm), or
- Apply online at myagedcare.gov.au, or
- Ask your GP, hospital or a trusted person to help you apply (with your consent).
2
Complete screening questions about your situation and needs.
3
An assessment organisation will contact you to arrange an aged care needs assessment (usually in your home).
4
You receive a notice of decision. This may approve ongoing Support at Home (one of eight classifications) or a short-term pathway.
5
Complete an income and assets assessment with Services Australia. This determines any contributions you may need to pay.
6
Choose a registered provider (such as Care Homes on Wheels) and sign a service agreement.
7
Services can begin once funding is available and the agreement is in place.
The Role of My Aged Care
My Aged Care is the Australian Government’s entry point for aged care services. They arrange assessments, hold your official support plan and funding details, and help you find providers. Care Homes on Wheels can explain the process and guide you, but we cannot complete the assessment or approve funding for you. Only My Aged Care and the assessment process can do that.
Assessment and Eligibility
An assessor looks at your strengths, challenges and care needs. They decide whether you are eligible for ongoing Support at Home or a short-term pathway, and assign a classification based on your needs. You (or a representative with your consent) can have family, friends or an advocate present during the assessment. If your circumstances change later, you can request a review or reassessment through My Aged Care.
Care Planning Once Approved
You work with your chosen provider to develop a personalised support plan. The plan sets out the services that match your assessed needs, goals, preferences, language and cultural needs, within your available budget. You stay in control of the decisions that matter to you.
Services that may be available
Support at Home services are grouped into three main categories:
Clinical Care (Clinical support)
Health-related services such as nursing care, medication support, wound care, allied health (for example physiotherapy or occupational therapy), and care management. These services are fully funded by the government — there is no participant contribution.
Independence
Support that helps you stay active and manage daily life, such as personal care, respite for carers, transport, social support, assistive technology and home modifications. Contributions may apply (based on your means assessment).
Everyday Living
Practical help around the home, such as domestic assistance (cleaning and laundry), meal preparation, shopping and basic home or garden maintenance. Contributions usually apply. Important update: From 1 October 2026, personal care services are expected to be fully government-funded with no out-of-pocket cost if they are approved in your support plan. Confirm the current rules with My Aged Care.
Short-term pathways
(Restorative Care, Assistive Technology and Home Modifications, and End-of-Life) may also be available depending on your assessment. The exact services you can receive depend on your individual approval and support plan.
Budgets, contributions and fees
If you are approved for ongoing Support at Home, you receive a quarterly budget based on your classification.
- Clinical Care services have no participant contribution.
- Independence and Everyday Living services may require a contribution. The amount depends on your income and assets assessment by Services Australia.
- There is a lifetime cap on non-clinical contributions.
You only pay contributions for the services you actually receive. Funding amounts and contribution rates are set by the government and are indexed from time to time. Exact figures must be confirmed with My Aged Care and Services Australia.
Care Homes on Wheels will explain clearly how any contributions work for your situation once we understand your approved plan. We do not provide financial advice.
Service agreements
When you choose Care Homes on Wheels, we prepare a clear service agreement. It sets out:
- the services you will receive
- how often they will occur
- any contributions
- your rights and responsibilities
- how to give feedback or raise concerns
You should only sign once you understand and agree with the details.
Changing or reviewing services Your needs may change over time. You can ask us to adjust your support plan, or request a formal review or reassessment through My Aged Care. We will work with you to make sure your care continues to match what matters most to you.
What Care Homes on Wheels Can and Cannot Arrange
We can:
- Explain the Support at Home process in plain language
- Discuss your approved services and how they fit your goals
- Match you with a care team that considers your language and cultural needs
- Deliver services across Clinical Care, Independence and Everyday Living once funding and agreements are in place
- Review and adjust support with you
We cannot:
- Approve eligibility or funding (only My Aged Care can do this)
- Guarantee specific funding amounts or wait times
- Provide legal, medical or financial advice
Where to get official information Always check the most up-to-date details from official sources:
My Aged Care website: myagedcare.gov.au
Call My Aged Care: 1800 200 422
Department of Health website: health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home
You can also speak with your GP, assessor or an independent advocate (for example the Older Persons Advocacy Network on 1800 700 600).
Ready to talk about Support at Home?
We are happy to explain how the program works and how Care Homes on Wheels can support you.
Request a callback
There is no pressure and no obligation.
We listen first and explain clearly.
- Glorious Health Care Group Pty Ltd trading as Care Homes on Wheels
- ABN 60 686 117 037
- 39 Howard Road, Padstow NSW 2211
© 2026 Care Homes on Wheels · Padstow, NSW
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week