Every Support at Home package has a take-up period that acts like an expiry date for your government funding offer. If you don’t begin services within this timeframe, you may lose access to your assigned funding and need to reapply through My Aged Care.
Once you receive your Support at Home approval, you will have 56 days to find an approved provider and begin setting up your care plan.
If you need more time, you can request an extension through My Aged Care. The extension period is an additional 28 days, and only one extension can be granted, so it’s important not to let your Support at Home allocation lapse.
What can Support at Home funding be used for?
Support at Home funds are grouped into three categories — Clinical Supports, Independence Supports, and Everyday Living Supports. Each category is designed to help you stay safe, healthy, and independent in your own home, depending on your care needs.
Clinical Supports cover medical and health-related services that maintain or improve your wellbeing. This can include nursing care, allied health visits such as physiotherapy or occupational therapy, nutrition support, and care management for ongoing health conditions.
Independence Supports help you stay active and connected. They include personal care, social support, therapies for mobility or daily tasks, respite for carers, transport to community activities, and assistive technology or minor home modifications that promote independence.
Everyday Living Supports focus on comfort and routine, such as cleaning, laundry, gardening, home maintenance, and meal preparation or delivery. These services help keep your home safe and your day-to-day life manageable.
Your Support at Home funds cannot be used for expenses such as rent, mortgage payments, holidays, entertainment, food, or other items already subsidised by the government. Funding is intended only for services that improve health, independence, and wellbeing at home.
How long does it take to get Support at Home funding?
The time it takes to receive Support at Home funding depends on your care needs and priority level as assessed by My Aged Care. Wait times currently range from several months for high-priority cases to more than a year for lower-priority applicants. It’s important to apply early and accept your classification promptly once offered to avoid losing your place in the queue.
What is the difference between CHSP and Support at Home?
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) remains in place until 2027 and provides entry-level assistance for older Australians who only need a small amount of help at home. CHSP funding goes directly to providers, so you don’t choose how the money is spent. It typically covers light domestic services, meals, or transport and averages around $6,000 of government subsidy per client per year.
Support at Home replaces the Home Care Package system and offers personalised, flexible funding that you can direct towards the services you need most. There are eight classification levels of Support at Home, with annual funding ranging from approximately $10,000 for low-level support to more than $75,000 for complex or high clinical care. This funding is based on a consumer-directed care model, giving you greater choice and control over how your support is delivered.
What is the maximum Income Tested Fee for Support at Home?
Like the previous Home Care Package system, the government expects those who can afford to do so to contribute towards the cost of their care through an Income Tested Fee. The annual and lifetime caps remain consistent with current Home Care arrangements — approximately {{homecare_itf_annual-cap_high-income}} per year and {{homecare_itf_lifetime-cap}} over a lifetime ({{home_care_date_of_fee_change_shortened}}).
If you receive a full pension, you won’t need to pay an Income Tested Fee. Part-pensioners can contact Centrelink to confirm their contribution, while self-funded retirees must complete an Income Tested Care Fee form to determine how much they will need to pay.
We’re here to help!
If you need help understanding your Support at Home funding or require assistance before accepting your classification, speak to a CareAbout Adviser. They’ll answer your questions about your options, extensions, or how to get started — at no cost to you.
