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How to Get Support at Home in 2026: A Complete My Aged Care Guide
FOCUS Connect • 24 April 2026
Growing older doesn’t mean losing your independence.
For many seniors, home is where life feels steady and familiar. It’s where memories live, where daily routines feel comfortable, and where there’s a sense of control over your own space.
At the same time, it’s normal for needs to change over the years. Once simple tasks can start to feel more tiring or difficult. A little extra support, whether with household chores, meals, transport, or personal care, can make everyday life safer and more manageable, without taking away independence.
If you’ve started exploring the new Support at Home changes, you may have noticed the information can feel confusing at first. There are different steps, assessments, and services to understand.
This blog breaks everything down into clear, simple steps. You’ll find practical information to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
What Is Support at Home?
Support at Home is an Australian Government program that provides funded services to help older people live independently in their own homes. It is designed to help them:
- Stay safe and well at home
- Continue doing everyday activities
- Maintain independence and well-being
- Reduce the need for residential aged care
From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced the old Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care programs. The goal is to simplify access and make support more tailored to your needs so you can stay independent at home longer.
The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP), for basic help, continues until at least 30 June 2027 while it transitions into the Support at Home framework.
This means your support options are expanding, but it also means the system looks a bit different from what it did a few years ago.
Why Did the System Change?
For years, the aged care system faced serious challenges.
1. Long Waiting Lists
By late 2025, reports indicated that more than 200,000 older Australians were either waiting for home care or waiting to be assessed, leaving many people without timely support.
2. Hospital Bed Block
In February 2026, around 3,100 older Australians were stuck in hospitals waiting for aged care placements, 30% increase in five months. This was reported as costing the health system around $1 billion per year.
3. A Confusing, Fragmented System
Multiple programs, different funding levels and complex assessment pathways made aged care difficult to navigate for families already under stress.
4. Inconsistent Service Quality
Experiences varied between providers, creating uncertainty around care standards and outcomes.
The Support at Home program was introduced to simplify access, reduce delays, improve transparency and deliver more consistent, person-centred care, helping seniors stay independent at home for longer.
Who Is Eligible for Support at Home?
You may be eligible for government-subsidised aged care services under the Support at Home program if you:
- Are 65 years or older
- Are 50 years or older and identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person
- Are 50 years or older and are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
If you’re unsure whether you qualify, it’s always worth reaching out for clarity. Many people are surprised to discover they’re eligible for support earlier than expected, and accessing the right services sooner can play a vital role in maintaining independence and quality of life.
Connecting with a
trusted My Aged Care provider can help you understand your options and take the next steps with confidence.
What Services Are Covered Under Support at Home?
Services are grouped into three main categories:
1. Clinical Supports
These are health-related services delivered by qualified professionals and are fully funded by the Australian Government. If your needs are clinical in nature, you will not be required to contribute toward these services.
2. Independence Supports
These services help you maintain your personal well-being and day-to-day independence. These services require a moderate contribution, depending on your financial circumstances.
3. Everyday Living Supports
These services assist with household tasks that may have become difficult to manage independently. These services require the highest level of contribution under the program.
It’s important to know that contributions are means-tested. Some participants may pay reduced amounts depending on their financial situation.
If you’re unsure what your contribution might look like, a Support at Home provider can help you understand your assessment and funding breakdown before services begin.
How to Apply for Support at Home
Understanding the application process makes it far less intimidating.
Step 1: Know What Kind of Help You’re Looking For
Support can be practical, personal, social, or clinical, depending on what you’re assessed as needing. If you’re not sure what you need yet, that’s okay. The assessment process is designed to help clarify this.
Step 2: Register with My Aged Care
Everything begins with My Aged Care. You can:
- Apply online at myagedcare.gov.au
- Call 1800 200 422
- Ask your GP, healthcare professional or hospital to refer you
Registration allows you to access an aged care assessment and, if eligible, government-funded Support at Home services.
If you’re supporting a family member, it helps to be on the call (or take notes) because a few details are needed.
Have these ready:
- Medicare card details
- A list of current health conditions (and recent changes)
- Current medications (a photo of the list is fine)
- Any recent hospital discharge notes (if relevant)
- The main problems at home (e.g., showering, mobility, meals, transport)
Step 3: Complete an Aged Care Assessment
After registering, My Aged Care will arrange for an assessor to visit you at home.
During this visit, they will discuss:
- Your daily routines
- Health conditions
- Mobility and safety
- Support available from family or carers
- Your goals for staying at home
The assessment is the part that determines what help you’re eligible for and the level of support you’re likely to receive.
Family members can attend, and it’s often helpful if they do. A lot of people unintentionally minimise what’s going on, out of pride, privacy, or not wanting to be a burden. That can lead to less support than they truly need.
Step 4: Receive Your Assessment Outcome
If approved, you will receive a letter outlining:
- Your approved Support at Home classification
- Your priority category
- Referral codes to choose a provider
- Information about next steps
This letter is important; it allows you to move forward and select a registered Support at Home provider.
If you’re unsure what the outcome means, you can ask questions like:
- “What support types am I approved for?”
- “How often can services reasonably be delivered?”
- “What do I do if my needs change?”
- “What’s the next step to start services?”
If you’re helping a parent: This is a great time to sit down together and write the top 3 priorities (for example: showering safely, meals/domestic help, getting to appointments).
What To Do If You Disagree With Your Assessment
If you believe your needs were underestimated:
- Request an internal review
- Contact My Aged Care
- Seek help from an aged care advocate
- Provide supporting documentation
Step 5: Complete an Income and Assets Assessment
To determine whether you need to contribute toward the cost of services, you’ll complete an income and assets assessment through Services Australia.
This assessment considers:
- Income
- Assets (excluding your principal home)
- Pension status
Some people pay no contribution at all, while others contribute depending on financial circumstances.
You can complete this assessment up to 120 days before starting services.
Step 6: Wait for Funding Allocation
Once approved, your place in the Support at Home Priority System is confirmed.
Funding is allocated based on:
- Your priority category
- The date your approval started
As of November 2025, estimated wait times are:
| Priority Category | Estimated Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Urgent | Within 1 month |
| High | 1.5 to 2.5 months |
| Medium | 8 to 9 months |
| Standard | 10 to 11 months |
*For the latest updates, visit the
My Aged Care website
Interim Funding
Some participants may receive interim funding of
60% of their approved ongoing quarterly budget while waiting for full funding.
Interim funding is not available under certain pathways, such as Restorative Care or End-of-Life care, as these receive immediate funding.
During this period, your provider will help prioritise the most important services until full funding is released.
Step 7: Choose Your Support at Home Provider and Set Up Services That Fit Your Life
Together, you create a care plan outlining:
- What services you receive
- How often visits occur
- Your personal goals
- Review dates
Once approved, you select a provider.
You may:
- Continue with your current provider
- Choose a new provider
- Explore self-management if suitable
The most important question to ask any provider:
“How many hours of support will my budget cover each week at your current prices?”
That one question helps turn confusion into a clear picture of what support will actually look like at home.
What a good set-up call should include:
- your goals (what you want to keep doing independently)
- the days/times that matter most
- any cultural, language, food, faith, or gender preferences
- health needs that require consistency and privacy (like continence support)
- who to call if something changes
Step 8: Enter a Service Agreement
Once you’ve chosen your provider, you’ll sign a Service Agreement within 56 days of funding allocation (extensions may be requested if needed).
This agreement outlines:
- Services to be delivered
- Budget allocation
- Fees and contributions
- Care responsibilities
- Review processes
A reputable provider will walk you through this document carefully so you feel comfortable and informed before signing.
Step 9: Start Receiving Care
Once everything is in place, services can begin.
Your dedicated Care Manager will:
- Coordinate support workers and clinicians
- Monitor your budget
- Adjust services if your needs change
- Conduct regular reviews
In the first 1–2 weeks, check:
- Do the service times match what you need day-to-day?
- Are you getting the right mix of supports (personal care, domestic, transport, social)?
- Is the plan realistic for your budget (hours vs costs)?
- Do you feel respected and comfortable with the workers?
- Do you know who to contact to adjust the roster?
If you need more complex support (for example, continence management or end-of-life care at home), it’s especially important that the plan is clear about:
- frequency and timing of visits
- Who delivers clinical tasks
- How changes are handled quickly
- Coordination with other health professionals where needed
Ready to Take the Next Step?
FOCUS Connect is an approved My Aged Care provider and delivers Support at Home services across Macarthur, South West Sydney, and Northern Sydney suburbs.
We can help you:
- Understand the My Aged Care process
- Prepare for an assessment so the “real life” picture is clear
- Translate your outcome into a practical weekly plan
- Set up services that support safety, independence, and connection
- Organise supports ranging from domestic help through to clinical needs like continence management and end-of-life care at home
Contact us today to discuss your eligibility, funding and next steps, and start planning support that helps you live confidently at home.
FOCUS Connect, a registered not-for-profit charity, provides practical assistance and support services to disadvantaged and marginalised individuals. As a My Aged Care provider, we offer Support at Home and Commonwealth Home Support Programme services across South West and Northern Sydney. Additionally, we are a leading provider of community services to multicultural and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations across South West Sydney.
Need Support or Know Someone Who Does?
If you need support, call us at 02 4627 1188 or contact us via our online enquiry form, and we will get back to you shortly to discuss your needs and how we can assist you. If you know someone who could benefit from our services, refer them to FOCUS Connect to help them receive the support they need and deserve.
