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Support at Home: Interim Funding
If you have recently received your Support at Home approval letter and noticed that your funding is only 60 percent of what you expected, you’re not alone. This can feel surprising, but it is actually a standard part of the new Support at Home system.
What you have received is called Interim Funding, or the Minimum Service Offer (MSO). It is designed to make sure you can start receiving essential services immediately, even during periods of high demand.
What Interim Funding Means
Interim Funding is used when the Support at Home system is experiencing elevated demand. Instead of placing you on a long waitlist with no help, the Department releases 60 percent of your ongoing support budget so you can begin services right away. The remaining 40 percent is released as soon as the system has capacity.
It is important to understand that this interim amount relates only to your ongoing services budget. Support at Home includes several different types of support, and not all of them draw from the same pool of funds.
This distinction is crucial.
Which Services Use the Interim 60 Percent Budget?
Many people assume that Interim Funding covers all Support at Home services, but that is not the case. The 60 percent allocation applies only to your ongoing quarterly services, which include things like personal care, basic respite, meal preparation, domestic assistance, transport and similar day-to-day supports.
Other parts of Support at Home use separate funding streams, meaning they are not affected by Interim Funding at all.
| Support Type | Covered by 60% Interim Funding? | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing Support at Home services (cleaning, personal care, meals, transport, respite) | Yes | These come from your ongoing quarterly budget, which may be temporarily set at 60%. |
| Assistive Technology & Home Modifications (AT-HM) | No | AT-HM has its own separate funding scheme with its own limits; it is never reduced by Interim Funding. |
| Restorative Care Pathway | No | This pathway has its own dedicated short-term funding and always receives full funding immediately. |
| End-of-Life Pathway | No | This is a high-priority, time-sensitive pathway that always receives its full funding straight away. |
Your Fast Fact Sheet to Support at Home
We’ve compiled your fast guide to find the essential information you need to know about Support at Home.
Everywhere from determining your contribution, reviewing the key changes from Home Care Packages (HCPs), what this new aged care reform means for you, and so much more.
Simply download your guide at the button below.
This table often brings clarity. If a support type has its own funding stream, it is not affected by Interim Funding.
Who Normally Receives Interim Funding?
Interim Funding is most commonly allocated to:
- people who were already on the National Priority System before 31 October 2025, and
- people newly assessed from 1 November 2025 onwards during busy periods.
It is simply the government’s way of ensuring no one waits indefinitely for care.
People who always skip Interim Funding and go straight to full funding include those with urgent needs, and anyone approved for the Restorative Care Pathway or End-of-Life Pathway.
How You Are Notified
Your first letter explains that you have been allocated 60 percent of your ongoing budget and can now begin receiving services. A second letter is sent once your full funding becomes available. Your provider receives matching notifications through the My Aged Care portal.
How Interim Funding Works in Daily Life
While you are on a reduced budget, your provider will help you create a care plan that focuses on essential supports. These core services form the foundation of the Support at Home program and allow you to remain independent and safe.
Because the ongoing budget covers things like personal care, domestic assistance and everyday supports, these are the services that may need to be prioritised temporarily.
Meanwhile, any AT-HM items or short-term pathways you are approved for are funded separately and are not affected by the 60 percent limit.
What Happens When Your Full Funding Arrives
When the remaining 40 percent becomes available, it activates from the date it is assigned. You do not have to go through another assessment. Instead, you simply review your care plan with your provider and adjust it to reflect your full budget.
This is the point at which you can expand your supports and include services that were postponed during the Interim Funding period.
The 56 Day Rule for Choosing a Provider
Once your funding is allocated, you have 56 days to choose a provider and sign a service agreement. If you need more time, you can request a 28 day extension, giving you a total of 84 days.
If no agreement is signed, your funding is withdrawn and you are removed from the Support at Home Priority System. You would then need to re-enter the queue if you want to receive services later.
Fees During the Interim Funding Period
Your care management fee remains at 10 percent but is calculated on the interim amount rather than the full budget.
You only pay contributions for the services you actually use, and clinical care continues to be fully funded.
Finding a Provider Who Can Guide You Through MSO and FSO
Managing a reduced budget requires thoughtful planning, and the right provider will help you prioritise what matters most while preparing for the shift to full funding.
If you would like to check your classification before choosing a provider, you can view it here:https://www.careabout.com.au/support-at-home-classifications
CareAbout can also help you compare providers and find someone experienced in guiding people through Interim Funding.
How We CareAbout You
When you don’t have all the pieces of a constantly-changing puzzle, it’s incredibly hard to make an informed decision – that’s where we come in.
Our Care Advisors cut through the noise, and simplify an otherwise complex process. We take the time to understand who you are, and what you need. We then present you with an expert-led recommendation – of course, the ultimate choice is yours to make.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is interim funding under Support at Home?
Interim funding, also called the Minimum Service Offer, provides 60 percent of your ongoing support budget so you can start receiving essential services straight away. It is used when the Support at Home system is experiencing high demand, rather than placing you on a long waitlist with no support.
Why did I only receive 60% of my expected funding?
This is how interim funding works. The Department releases 60 percent of your ongoing services budget immediately, with the remaining 40 percent released once the system has capacity. This only applies to your ongoing services budget — other funding categories like Assistive Technology and Home Modifications are not affected.
How long does interim funding last?
Interim funding continues until the system has capacity to release your full ongoing budget. There is no fixed timeframe — it depends on national demand. You will be notified when your full funding becomes available.
Which services are affected by interim funding?
Only your ongoing services budget (Clinical, Independence, and Everyday Living supports) is reduced to 60 percent. Short-term pathways such as Restorative Care, End-of-Life Pathway, and Assistive Technology and Home Modifications are funded separately and are not reduced.
Can CareAbout help me make the most of my interim funding?
Yes. CareAbout can help you find a provider who offers competitive fees so your 60 percent goes further. We compare providers on value, services, and quality — call 13 13 00 for free advice.