What Is the Support at Home Program? A Guide for Older Australians

I have spoken with a lot of families over the past year who are navigating aged care for the first time. A parent has been discharged from hospital. A spouse is finding it harder to manage at home. Someone calls us and the first thing they say is that they have heard the rules have changed and they are not sure what to do next.

They are right. The rules did change. On 1 November 2025, the Australian Government introduced the Support at Home program, which replaced the previous Home Care Packages system and several other home-based aged care programs. It is the most significant reform to in-home aged care in decades, and the confusion it has created among families, carers, and even some health professionals is completely understandable.

The Support at Home program is not a minor administrative update. It is a redesigned system with new eligibility criteria, new assessment pathways, new funding structures, and a new approach to how services are delivered. For older Australians and their families, understanding it is now essential to accessing the care and allied health support they need.

At Fleet Healthcare, we work directly with clients under the Support at Home program, delivering essential mobile allied health services to people’s homes across Sydney. We have helped many families move through the registration and assessment process and we understand where the confusion tends to arise.

This article explains what the Support at Home program is in plain English, who is eligible, what it funds, how to apply, and what to look for when choosing a provider. If you are trying to make sense of aged care, this is the article to start with.

What Is the Support at Home Program? A Plain English Overview
Who Is Eligible and How to Apply Through My Aged Care
What Services Are Funded Under Support at Home
Allied Health Under Support at Home
How Support at Home Differs from the Old Home Care Package System
What the Assessment Process Looks Like
How to Choose a Provider and What to Look For
What Fleet Healthcare Delivers Under Support at Home
FAQs

Key Takeaways

The Support at Home program replaced Home Care Packages and several other programs from 1 November 2025.
It is designed to give older Australians greater choice, flexibility, and control over how their care funding is used.
Allied health services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, dietetics, and podiatry are all funded under the program.
The entry point is My Aged Care. Registration is free and the first step for everyone, regardless of what level of support they need.
If you were on a Home Care Package, your services transitioned to Support at Home automatically from 1 November 2025.
You have the right to choose your provider, including for specific services such as mobile allied health.

What Is the Support at Home Program?

The Support at Home program is the Australian Government’s new framework for funding and delivering care services to older Australians who want to remain living at home. It sits within the aged care system and is administered through the My Aged Care gateway.

The program is built around the idea that older Australians should be able to access the services they need, where they need them, with more transparency about how funding is allocated and spent. It replaces a system that many families found fragmented and difficult to navigate, where people on waiting lists for higher level packages could wait years for appropriate support.

The core goals of Support at Home

Help older Australians live independently at home for as long as possible
Provide earlier access to services, particularly for people with lower support needs
Give individuals and families greater choice and control over their care
Make funding clearer and more transparent through individual budgets
Improve coordination between health, aged care, and community services

Under the old system, Home Care Packages were divided into four levels with fixed funding amounts attached to each level. The new Support at Home program moves away from this rigid structure toward a more flexible, needs-based model where a person’s support budget is determined by their individual assessment rather than a predetermined package level.

The program also introduces stronger protections for older Australians, including clearer standards for provider quality, more straightforward complaint processes, and an emphasis on person-centred planning that reflects what the individual wants from their care, not just what a provider offers.

Who Is Eligible and How to Apply Through My Aged Care

Support at Home is available to older Australians who need assistance to continue living at home safely and independently. The program is designed for people whose care needs go beyond what informal support from family and friends can provide.

General eligibility criteria

You must be aged 65 years or older (50 or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
You must live in Australia as a permanent resident or meet other residency criteria
You must have care needs that have been assessed as requiring formal support
You must not be receiving equivalent care through a residential aged care facility

Age alone does not determine eligibility. The assessment process looks at your functional needs, your health conditions, your living situation, and the support already available to you through family and community. The goal is to match the level of funded support to what you actually need.

How to apply

The entry point for Support at Home is My Aged Care. You can register online, by phone on 1800 200 422, or with assistance from a GP, social worker, or hospital discharge planner. There is no cost to register or be assessed.

Once registered, you will be matched to an assessor through the government’s Single Assessment System. This unified system replaced the previous separate Regional Assessment Service (RAS) and Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) in December 2024. The assessment process is covered in more detail in Section 6 of this article.

If you are calling on behalf of a parent or relative, you can register with their consent. Carers and family members are encouraged to be involved in the assessment process. Hospital social workers and discharge planners can also initiate registration for someone who has been admitted to hospital.

What Services Are Funded Under Support at Home

Support at Home funds a broad range of services designed to help older Australians manage daily life at home. The specific services available to each person depend on their individual assessment and the goals identified in their care plan.

Funded service categories

Clinical care: nursing, wound care, medication management, and other health services delivered in the home
Allied health: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, dietetics, podiatry, and exercise physiology (see Section 4 for detail)
Personal care: assistance with showering, dressing, grooming, and personal hygiene
Domestic assistance: help with cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, and household tasks
Social support: assistance to participate in community activities, social engagement, and transport to appointments
Home modifications: minor modifications to improve safety at home, such as grab rails, ramps, or shower modifications
Assistive technology: equipment that supports independence, from walking aids to communication devices
Care management: coordination of services, care planning, and ongoing monitoring of the person’s needs and goals

Not all services will be relevant to every person. The care plan developed after assessment identifies which services are appropriate for an individual’s situation and goals. Funding is allocated to an individual budget that can be used flexibly across these categories, rather than being restricted to a fixed set of services.

A key principle of Support at Home is that services should support what matters to the person. That means the plan is built around their goals, their preferences, and what they want to be able to do, not just a standardised list of tasks.

Allied Health Under Support at Home

Allied health is one of the most valuable components of the Support at Home program and one that is frequently underused. Many older Australians do not realise that physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, dietetics, and podiatry can all be funded through their Support at Home budget.

This matters enormously. Allied health services play a central role in helping older Australians maintain function, manage chronic conditions, prevent falls, eat safely, and stay independent for longer. They are not optional extras. In many cases, they are the most important clinical input a person receives.

One important and often overlooked detail is that clinical care under Support at Home — including nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, dietetics, and podiatry when delivered as a clinical support — is fully funded by the government with no participant contribution required, regardless of income or assets. Client contributions apply only to independence and everyday living services such as personal care and domestic assistance. For most older Australians accessing allied health through Fleet Healthcare for health treatment and clinical management, this means no out-of-pocket cost for those services. Your assessor will confirm how each service is categorised in your individual care plan.

Physiotherapy

Mobile physiotherapy under Support at Home helps older Australians improve strength, mobility, balance, and pain management in their own homes. Following a fall, a hospital admission, or a change in function, physiotherapy can make the difference between someone returning to independence or requiring residential care. Our physiotherapy service page outlines what in-home physiotherapy involves and who it is appropriate for.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists assess how a person manages daily activities in their own home. They identify risks, recommend home modifications, prescribe assistive equipment, and work with the person to develop strategies that maintain independence in tasks like cooking, dressing, and bathing. Visit our occupational therapy page for more information.

Speech Pathology

Speech pathologists assess and treat communication and swallowing difficulties, both of which become more common with age and neurological conditions. Dysphagia, the clinical term for difficulty swallowing, is particularly prevalent in stroke survivors, people with Parkinson’s disease, and those with dementia. Our article on what is dysphagia and how is it treated covers this condition in detail. Fleet Healthcare’s speech pathology team works with aged care clients in their homes across Sydney.

Dietetics

Malnutrition is significantly more common in older Australians than most people realise. Mobile dietitians assess nutritional status, develop safe eating plans for people with swallowing difficulties, manage weight loss, and support the nutrition needs of people managing chronic conditions. Our article on what does a dietitian do explains the full scope of dietetic practice. Fleet Healthcare’s dietetics service is available under Support at Home funding.

Podiatry

Foot health has a direct impact on mobility, balance, and falls risk in older adults. Podiatrists assess and treat conditions including diabetes-related foot complications, nail disorders, skin conditions, and footwear needs. Regular podiatry can prevent conditions from escalating and supports overall mobility and independence.

All of these services can be delivered in the home by Fleet Healthcare’s mobile podiatry team. We meet people where they are, which in aged care often makes the critical difference between someone engaging with their care and someone missing appointments because getting to a clinic is simply too hard.

How Support at Home Differs from the Old Home Care Package System

If you or someone you care for was receiving a Home Care Package before November 2025, you were automatically transitioned to the Support at Home program. Your services did not stop. Your provider did not automatically change. But the underlying structure of how your care is funded and managed did change, and it is worth understanding how.

The old Home Care Package system

Home Care Packages were funded at four levels, from Level 1 (basic care needs) through to Level 4 (high care needs), with fixed annual subsidy amounts attached to each level. Packages were managed by approved providers who received the funding and arranged services on behalf of the client. Administration and case management fees were deducted from the package before services were funded, which meant clients often received less direct service than the package funding suggested.

The waiting list for higher level packages was a significant problem. People assessed as needing a Level 3 or Level 4 package could wait 12 months or more to receive one, leaving them either managing without support or relying on lower level packages that did not meet their needs.

What changed under Support at Home

Individual budgets: funding is now allocated to an individual budget based on your assessed needs, rather than a fixed package level. This allows more flexibility in how services are used.
Reduced waiting times: the government has committed to shorter wait times for support, with lower needs clients able to access services more quickly than under the old system.
Greater transparency: clients receive clearer information about how their funding is being used and what is being charged by their provider.
Increased choice: clients have more flexibility to choose different providers for different services, rather than being tied to a single provider for everything.
Stronger quality standards: providers are held to updated quality standards with stronger oversight and complaint processes.

Under the new system, funding is allocated through eight ongoing classifications, ranging from Classification 1 for people with basic, occasional support needs through to Classification 8 for those requiring intensive daily care and clinical support. This replaces the previous four-level Home Care Package structure and allows for more precise matching of funding to individual need. Budgets are allocated quarterly rather than annually, and participants can carry over a small amount of unspent funds each quarter. If your needs increase, you can request a reassessment to move to a higher classification at any time.

If you previously managed your own Home Care Package, the transition to Support at Home preserves your ability to self-direct your care. Our earlier article on self-managed home care package providers provides relevant background on how self-directed care works and the questions to ask when choosing a provider.

What the Assessment Process Looks Like

The assessment process is how the government determines what level of support you need and what funding you are eligible to receive. It can feel daunting, but understanding the steps in advance makes it much more straightforward.

Step 1: Register with My Aged Care

Contact My Aged Care by phone on 1800 200 422 or online. The intake team will ask questions about your current situation, health conditions, and what support you need. Based on this, they will refer you to the appropriate assessment service.

Step 2: Assessment through the Single Assessment System

From December 2024, the previous separate assessment services — the Regional Assessment Service (RAS) and Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) — were merged into a unified Single Assessment System. All aged care assessments are now conducted through this single system, regardless of the complexity of your needs.

A trained assessor will visit you at home and use the government’s Integrated Assessment Tool to evaluate your daily activities, health, safety, living situation, and the support already available to you through family and community. The scope of the assessment is tailored to your needs — a straightforward assessment for lower-level support needs may be shorter and less involved than a comprehensive assessment for someone with complex clinical needs. The assessor may be a nurse, social worker, or allied health professional, or a combination of these depending on your situation.

Step 3: Care plan development

Following assessment, you work with your approved provider and care manager to develop a care plan that reflects your goals and the services that have been funded. This is the point at which allied health services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or dietetics would be identified and arranged.

Step 4: Ongoing review

Your needs and funding are reviewed regularly. If your situation changes significantly, you can request a reassessment at any time through My Aged Care. Providers are also expected to monitor your needs and flag changes to your care plan when required.

How to Choose a Provider and What to Look For

Under Support at Home, you have the right to choose your own provider. This is one of the most important aspects of the program, and it is worth taking seriously rather than defaulting to whoever is suggested first.

You can choose a single provider to manage all your services, or you can use different providers for different parts of your care. Many people choose a care management provider to coordinate their overall plan and then select specialist providers for specific clinical services such as allied health.

Questions to ask when evaluating a provider

Are they a registered aged care provider under the Support at Home program?
Do they employ their own clinicians or subcontract to third parties?
What are their fees and how are administration and case management costs charged?
Can they provide mobile services in your home, or do you need to attend a clinic?
Do they have experience with your specific condition or care needs?
How do they communicate with your GP and other health professionals?
What happens if your regular clinician is unavailable?
Can they coordinate multiple services such as physio and dietetics in a single visit or on the same day?

What to look for in a mobile allied health team specifically

For allied health services, the quality of the clinician matters as much as the quality of the organisation. Look for providers who employ registered practitioners with experience in aged care and neurological conditions. Ask whether they send treatment notes to your GP. Ask how they handle referrals to other services. Ask whether they can accommodate your schedule and your home environment. Our article on habits linked to dementia is a useful read for families whose relatives are managing cognitive decline alongside their physical care needs, as it helps identify the broader health risks that allied health can address proactively.

What Fleet Healthcare Delivers Under Support at Home

Fleet Healthcare is a registered aged care provider delivering mobile allied health services to older Australians across Sydney under the Support at Home program. We work directly with clients, their families, and their care managers to provide the clinical services that matter most for maintaining independence and quality of life at home.

Our mobile allied health services under Support at Home

Physiotherapy: strength, mobility, balance, falls prevention, post-surgical rehabilitation, and chronic pain management
Occupational Therapy: daily living assessments, home modification recommendations, equipment prescription, and cognitive function support
Speech Pathology: swallowing assessment and management, communication support, and dysphagia treatment
Dietetics: malnutrition screening, texture modified diet planning, chronic disease nutrition management, and hydration support
Podiatry: routine foot care, diabetic foot assessment, nail and skin conditions, and footwear advice

All consultations are conducted in the client’s home. We do not charge travel fees.

We also support clients and families in understanding their funding options. Whether your loved one is newly registered with My Aged Care, transitioning from a Home Care Package, or already receiving Support at Home services, we can help clarify what allied health is available and how to access it.

Not everyone can come to a clinic, so we bring the clinic to them. That is not just a logistical convenience for our clients. It is how we ensure that the assessment reflects what is actually happening in someone’s daily life, and that the treatment plan is one they can follow in their own home with their own routines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Support at Home program in Australia?

The Support at Home program is the Australian Government’s new aged care framework for funding and delivering in-home care services to older Australians. It replaced the Home Care Packages program and several other home-based aged care programs from 1 November 2025. It is designed to give older Australians greater choice, flexibility, and control over their care. More information is available at My Aged Care.

Who is eligible for Support at Home?

Support at Home is generally available to Australians aged 65 and over (or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) who have care needs that require formal support to continue living at home safely. Eligibility is determined through a free assessment conducted by the government’s Single Assessment System, which replaced the previous separate RAS and ACAT assessment services in December 2024.

Does Support at Home cover physiotherapy and allied health?

Yes. Allied health services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, dietetics, and podiatry are all fundable under the Support at Home program. These services are identified through the assessment and care planning process and delivered by registered providers such as Fleet Healthcare. Allied health under Support at Home is delivered in the client’s home.

How do I apply for the Support at Home program?

The first step is to register with My Aged Care online or by calling 1800 200 422. Registration is free. Once registered, you will be referred to the appropriate assessment service for a face-to-face assessment in your home. Hospital social workers, GPs, and discharge planners can also initiate registration on your behalf with your consent.

What happened to the Home Care Package program?

Home Care Packages were replaced by the Support at Home program from 1 November 2025. Clients who were receiving a Home Care Package at that date were automatically transitioned to Support at Home and continued receiving their services without interruption.

Can I choose my own Support at Home provider?

Yes. One of the core principles of the Support at Home program is consumer choice. You have the right to choose which provider delivers your services, and you can use different providers for different parts of your care. For example, you might choose Fleet Healthcare specifically for mobile allied health services while using a different provider for domestic assistance or personal care.

How long does the Support at Home application process take?

Timelines vary depending on your level of need and where you are located. After registering with My Aged Care, an assessor from the Single Assessment System will be arranged to visit you at home. The government has committed to reducing wait times compared to the old Home Care Package system, though timelines can still vary by location and priority category. Contact My Aged Care directly on 1800 200 422 for current information on assessment timelines in your area.

Does Fleet Healthcare help with the Support at Home application process?

We can help you understand what allied health services are available under Support at Home and support you through the process of getting those services included in your care plan. We work with care managers, support coordinators, and families regularly to ensure that allied health is appropriately included in a person’s funded care. Contact our team directly to discuss your situation.

The Support at Home program represents a genuine shift in how Australia funds and delivers aged care at home. It is not a perfect system and it will continue to evolve as the government monitors how it is working in practice. But for older Australians and their families, it offers more flexibility, more transparency, and a clearer pathway to the services that matter most.

What I have observed through years of working in this space is that the families who navigate aged care most effectively are the ones who understand their entitlements early. They register with My Aged Care before an unfortunate issue forces their hand. They ask specifically about allied health when the care plan is being developed. They choose providers based on clinical quality, not just availability. And they stay involved in the care planning process rather than handing it over entirely to a case manager.

Allied health is one of the most impactful ways that Support at Home funding can be used, and it is consistently underutilised. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, dietetics, and podiatry delivered in the home can make an enormous difference to whether someone remains independent, whether they fall, whether they can eat safely, and whether they feel supported in their daily life. If you are trying to understand what is available to your parent or relative, we encourage you to read our articles on what does a dietitian do and what is dysphagia and how is it treated to get a clearer picture of how these services can help.

We meet people where they are. For older Australians, that means in their homes, in their familiar environment, with their routines intact. That is where care is most effective. That is where assessment is most accurate. And that is where Fleet Healthcare works every day.

Fleet Healthcare is a registered Support at Home provider delivering mobile allied health across Sydney. If you would like to discuss your funding options, understand what services your loved one is entitled to, or book an in-home assessment, contact our team today or visit our current allied health service page to learn more about what we offer.

Author Bio

Alex Hunt is the Founder and Managing Director of Fleet Healthcare, and a practising physiotherapist with over a decade of experience across NDIS, aged care, and mobile allied health. I am passionate about care that meets people where they are and delivers real results in everyday life.

Professional Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

While we aim to ensure accuracy at the time of publication, professional standards, funding arrangements, eligibility criteria, and regulatory frameworks may change and may vary between providers and governing bodies.

Any references to funding or service access are general in nature and should be confirmed directly with the relevant provider or authority.

Fleet Healthcare Services Pty Ltd accepts no liability for actions taken based on the information provided in this article.