Key points:
Eligibility for Support at Home is based on age, needs and living situation. There are four key steps in the Support at Home application process:
- Register and apply with My Aged Care
- Support at Home eligibility assessment
- Home care needs assessment
- Means and asset assessment
It can take 6-12 months to receive your Support at Home plan from My Aged Care. You can choose to receive self-funded home care support while you wait
What is the Support at Home program?
The Support At Home program is a government-funded program that was introduced to enable older Australians to stay living in their own homes for longer by delivering funding for a range of home care support services. The Support at Home program replaces the Home Care Packages (HCP) program and Short-Term Restorative Care program as of 1 November 2025. Learn more about the Support at Home program.
Support at Home eligibility
To be eligible for the Support at Home program, you must meet the age, needs and living requirements set out by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. In order to be assessed for in-home aged care, you will first need to register with My Aged Care. To do this, the individual requiring support will need to be:
- Aged 65+ (50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, or those facing homelessness)
- An Australian resident
- Have difficulty completing everyday tasks
The application process
What to expect when applying for Support at Home.
The timeline below is a guide only. The time it takes a person to receive government-funded support can vary depending on individual circumstances and other factors such as where they live. If you’re waiting for funding, you can contact My Aged Care for updates.
Step 1: Register and apply with My Aged Care
To access Support At Home, you will first need to register with My Aged Care. You can do this by completing their online self-service form, or calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
You may wish to appoint a family member or friend as your My Aged Care representative so they can act on your behalf if required.
If you would like us to keep in touch with you throughout your journey, please click the button below and provide your details:
Step 2: Support at Home eligibility assessment (phone interview)
Once you’ve registered, My Aged Care will refer you to a local assessor for an initial phone interview. During the interview, they will ask a series of questions about your current situation in order to ascertain your initial eligibility for Support at Home.
To prepare for your interview, please ensure you have the following information on hand:
- Medicare card
- Your personal details
- The details of anyone else who may be involved in your care
If you meet the eligibility criteria, your assessor will then arrange a home visit to assess your home care needs.
Step 3: Home care needs assessment (home visit)
A trained assessor from your Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) will visit you at home to understand your Support at Home needs.
To prepare for your home assessment, we recommend having the following information available:
- Your Medicare number
- A copy of any referrals from your doctor if you have them
- Any information provided to you that you may want to discuss with your assessor
- The contact details of your GP or any other health professionals
- Information on the current support you receive
What to expect at your home care assessment
During your home care needs assessment, your assessor will work with you to develop your Support at Home plan. This will include your strengths, difficulties, goals, what you’d like to achieve through home care and any of your preferences for Support at Home services. You may be asked questions such as:
- What support you currently have
- Your health and lifestyle
- How you are going completing daily tasks around the home
- If you have any issues relating to home and personal safety
- Your family and community engagement
In this home assessment, you may also discuss the types of services that would best suit your needs, the various funding available to you, potential service providers and any costs associated with home care services.
Tip: You may wish to have a family member, carer or friend present during your home assessment for additional support. They can even take notes for you that you can refer back to later on.
Step 4: Means and asset assessment (Services Australia)
If you’re applying for government-funded support under the Support at Home program, you’ll also need to complete a means test through Services Australia (via Centrelink).
This assessment helps determine how much you’ll personally contribute towards the cost of your home care services.
We recommend you complete your means test as soon as possible, as it can take some time to process.
For more information or to start your assessment, visit My Aged Care or call 1800 227 475.
Waiting for your Support at Home package
It can take 6-12 months to receive your Support at Home plan. While you wait for your home care package, it’s a good time to do your research into aged care providers, and the home care services they offer. At Benetas, we offer a range of clinical, independence and everyday living support in Melbourne to help maintain your quality of life while allowing you to continue living independently and safely at home. Our home care services help with daily activities, household tasks and more.
Need home care support while you wait?
If you are in need of home care support while you wait for your Support at Home package to be approved, we can provide immediate self-funded in-home support across Melbourne. Contact us online or call 1300 23 63 82 to find out more.
Frequently asked questions
The application and assessment process for Support at Home can take some time. You can expect the assessment process through My Aged Care to take up to three months, and once this is approved and you receive your Notice of Decision letter, it may take another 6-12 months (or more) for your package to be assigned.
We recommend starting the application process as early as possible to ensure you are able to receive support when you need it.
While you wait for your funding to be approved, you may choose to receive self-funded home care support. Contact us online or call 1300 23 63 82 to find out more.
You do not need a medical referral to access Support at Home. You will be assessed for Support at Home eligibility through My Aged Care. While it may be helpful to share any medical documentation you have with your assessor, it is not required to receive support.
Whether Support at Home or residential aged care is more suitable for you depends on your individual circumstances.
Support at Home is a great option when you start to feel you need a little more help around the home. The Support at Home program allows you to continue living in your own home, maintaining your independence while receiving high quality support services to improve your quality of life.
Residential aged care is more suited to those that require a higher level of care. You’ll receive tailored care from a dedicated team of primary carers and clinicians with trained nurses available around the clock.
Home Care Packages (HCP) was the previous system for delivering government-funded, ongoing aged care in Australia. As of November 2025, HCP’s have been replaced by the Support at Home program.
Once you have been assigned (or allocated) your Support at Home package, you have 56 days to choose your provider. Here’s what to expect at Benetas:
- Meet your care team
- We’ll get to know you
- Receive and sign your Home Care Agreement
- We’ll develop your care plan
You can find more detail on getting to know your team here.
The amount you contribute to your Support at Home costs will vary depending on your income and financial circumstances, as well as the services you access.
- If you’re aged 65+, you won’t pay anything for assessed clinical services
- For any non-clinical services:
- Full pensioners will need to pay 5-18% towards non-clinical services
- Part-pensioners will need to pay up to 50% towards non-clinical services
- Self-funded retirees may need to pay between 50-80% toward non-clinical services.
Learn more about paying for support at home here.
The Support at Home program provides access to a range of services across clinical, independence and everyday living support. This includes:
Clinical support
- Care management
- Allied health & therapeutic services
- In home nursing care
Independence support
- Respite care
- Personal care
- Social support & connection
- Shopping & transport
Everyday living support
- Meal preparation & meal delivery
- General house cleaning & laundry
- Gardening & minor home repairs
Learn more about our home care services here.
With more than 75 years of experience, Benetas delivers quality Support at Home services to households across Melbourne, (Victoria, Australia). We are a leading not-for-profit organisation supporting older Victorians to maintain their independence and quality of life within their own home. With Benetas, support feels right at home because it’s shaped by you, not for you. We tailor care around the individual with a shared aim to keep life moving at your pace. That means understanding what matters most: your routines, preferences and goals. From day-to-day support to clinical care, our teams build real relationships and flexible plans that move in step with your life. Our support at home isn’t one size fits all. It’s care that fits naturally into your life. Learn more about our approach here.
Ready to plan your care and compare options?
If you've completed the above steps, you’re ready to take Step 2, just click on Step 2 below: