Getting older shouldn’t mean giving up your independence (or your home). That’s why the Australian Government has introduced Support at Home as an aged care reform.
Support at Home (SAH) is a new, more personalised program that makes it easier for older Australians to live safely and confidently in the one place they know best: Home.
Support at Home simplifies aged care by replacing the former Home Care Packages (HCPs) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC), while phasing out the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) completely by no earlier than 1 July 2027.
Through its extensive yet simplified framework, Support at Home brings together a broad range of services into one unified system to empower eligible recipients with care that’s better tailored to meet their individual needs (while flexible enough to evolve as these needs change).
Whether you’re navigating aged care for yourself or for your loved one, you’re not alone. We’re here to CareAbout you: To make this process simpler, clearer, and of course, more human (without any of the fancy jargon or the use of mind-boggling terms).
The Three Main Service Categories
Support at Home groups services into three essential categories: Clinical Supports, Independence, and Everyday Living.
These aren’t abstract categories, instead, they reflect the practical, day-to-day support that keeps older Australians healthier, connected, and feeling in greater control of their day-to-day lives.
| Category | Purpose | Examples of Services |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Supports | Professional care that maintains health and wellbeing at home. | Nursing, therapy, medication support, nutrition, care management. |
| Independence | Practical assistance that promotes mobility, confidence, and participation. | Personal care, social support, respite, transport, assistive technology. |
| Everyday Living | Help with daily household tasks to maintain safety and comfort. | Cleaning, laundry, meal prep, gardening, home maintenance. |
These services are designed to wrap around you, to help with the things that matter most. Whether that means managing a health condition, staying social, or simply getting the washing done
Let’s take a closer look at each service category in closer detail.
1. Clinical Supports
Health issues shouldn’t be a reason to have to leave home. Clinical Supports is available to assist older Australians in managing medical needs from the comfort of their very own home.
Delivered by qualified professionals like nurses and physiotherapists, Clinical Supports’ services are all about making sure you stay well (and out of hospital).
These Clinical Supports include, but are not limited to:
- Wound care and dressing changes
- Medication management
- Rehabilitation after illness or surgery
- Nutrition advice and support
Example: Meet Paul
After a recent fall, Paul needed help regaining his strength. A physiotherapist visited weekly to support his recovery, while a nurse managed his medications.
With the right care at home, Paul avoided a return trip to hospital. What we learn here is that the goal isn’t just treatment – it’s about having confidence and peace of mind.
To learn more about this service in full detail, simply view the Support at Home Program Handbook here.
2. Independence Services
Simply put, Independence Services are about maintaining agency. This means having the ability to shower safely, get to a GP appointment, or even join a local community group – these are all examples that, altogether, can make the difference between just getting by and truly living life.
Independence services may include, but are not limited to:
- Help with daily personal care, like showering or dressing
- Respite for family carers
- Transport to appointments and activities
- Social visits and digital support
- Prescribed home modifications (like rails and ramps)
Example: Meet Margaret
When Margaret’s arthritis worsened, her care worker helped her dress in the mornings and drove her to her bridge club each week.
Having this very connection to her community became just as important to Margaret as the physical support she received.
Need help understanding what you might pay? Try our Support at Home Calculator to determine your contribution.
3. Everyday Living Services
We often take simple household tasks for granted… until they become difficult.
This is where having Everyday Living Services available makes all the difference; think of this service category as the unsung hero of staying at home.
Everyday Living services may include, but are not limited to:
- Basic cleaning and tidying
- Laundry
- Meal preparation and shopping support
- Gardening for safety (like clearing paths)
Can you imagine not having to worry about slipping in the shower or struggling with heavy grocery bags?
Example: Meet Doreen
Doreen, 82, lives alone in the same home that she’s cherished for more than 40 years. But due to arthritis in her hands, carrying out tasks like cooking and doing the laundry, have become almost impossible.
Through Support at Home, Doreen now receives help with weekly meal prep, light cleaning, and her laundry.
The relief Doreen now feels since she knows the basics are covered, frees her time and allows her to instead expend her energy in the areas she enjoys far more: Her garden, and having regular chats with her granddaughter over video call.
Having Everyday Living services makes this thought a reality; a reality where fulfilling all of these small tasks, combined, make a huge difference – because when you’re not worrying about these, you can actually focus on just enjoying life a little more (not just managing it).
Who Delivers Support at Home Services
Services under Support at Home are delivered by providers approved by the Australian Government and monitored by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
Clinical services must be delivered by qualified health professionals, and all care workers must be trained and supervised. While Support at Home covers three distinct service categories: Clinical, Independence, and Everyday Living, the government has introduced the single provider rule. This means you can no longer have a nursing agency for your clinical needs and a separate cleaning company for your household tasks.
Finding the right provider can be overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be. CareAbout takes the guesswork out. We help you compare trusted, local providers based on your values, needs, and budget.
