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Waiting for Home Care Package funding? Get support while you wait!
The wait for your Support at Home funding can feel long and uncertain, but there are several options available to help you stay supported and independent while you wait. With Support at Home starting on 1 November 2025, people currently waiting for a Home Care Package will automatically transition into the new system once it begins.
Home help while you wait
Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will continue to operate until it is fully integrated into Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027. If you’re waiting for your Support at Home classification, you may be eligible for short-term CHSP support. Contact My Aged Care to arrange an assessment and check your eligibility.
CHSP provides entry-level support, including services such as domestic help, transport, meals, and social activities. It is heavily subsidised by the government, although you’ll need to pay a small contribution. Unlike Support at Home, you won’t manage your own budget, but CHSP is a practical way to receive care while waiting for your classification funding to begin.
Privately-funded home care services
Private home care is care that you fund yourself, allowing you to start receiving services immediately without waiting for government funding. While privately funded care comes at a cost, it can be a useful short-term option to help you remain independent and safe at home until your Support at Home funding is active.
You can choose any service you need, including personal care, nursing, or domestic help. It’s important to choose an approved provider accredited under the Aged Care Quality Standards to ensure quality and safety in your care.
Support options via your GP
Your GP can connect you with temporary health and community support services while you wait for your Support at Home funding. Depending on your circumstances, your GP may be able to:
- arrange a care plan to provide up to 5 subsidised allied health visits, such as physiotherapy or podiatry
- assist with applications for half-price taxi vouchers or mobility assistance
- connect you with community or volunteer programs in your area
Other things to do while you wait
Start researching home care providers
There are hundreds of Support at Home providers across Australia, each with different fees and services. Start researching now to find one that suits your needs when your Support at Home funding becomes available.
Think about what kind of services will best help you stay independent. For example, if you’re unsteady on your feet, you might benefit from home modifications like grab rails or a handheld shower head. You may also want help with cleaning, shopping, or meal preparation to make daily living easier.
Provider fees and systems can vary, so it’s worth comparing carefully. CareAbout can help you understand your options clearly and connect you with trusted, vetted providers who are transparent about their fees and services. Our service is free and saves you time and confusion.
We carefully vet all recommended providers to ensure clear, fair pricing and quality service, so you can choose with confidence.
CareAbout is here to support you every step of the way — and our service is completely free.
Current wait times for Support at Home
As of early 2025, wait times for Support at Home classification funding depend on your assessed priority. Medium-priority applicants can expect access to funding within several months of approval. Wait times are expected to improve as the new system replaces Home Care Packages from November 2025.
Under Support at Home, the goal is for wait times to progressively reduce over the next two years. In the meantime, if wait times for services exceed expectations, you may be assigned an interim allocation of your Support at Home classification budget while waiting for your full funding. This interim allocation provides 60% of your total budget, with the remaining 40% released once full funding becomes available.
*Last revised 28 February 2025 (myagedcare.gov.au)
Use Our Wait Time Estimator Tool
Our Wait Time Estimator Tool gives you a personalised idea of how long you may need to wait for your Home Care Package, based on your priority level, package approval and location. It’s a simple way to get clearer expectations while you plan your care.
We endeavour to keep this calculator as up-to-date as possible. Please do not use this calculator in isolation to make decisions about aged care. If you have any questions, call us on 13 13 00 or contact My Aged Care directly.
Find the right Support at Home provider with CareAbout
CareAbout isn’t a care provider. We’re experts in aged care and can guide you through the new Support at Home program with simple, caring advice. Once your funding begins, we’ll match you with a provider that fits your needs, location, and preferences — at no cost to you.
Since 2017, we’ve helped over 130,000 Australian families find trusted providers and peace of mind. We can help you too.