Support at Home Wait Times 2026: How Long Will I Wait for Aged Care Funding?

Why Do Some People Receive Funding Sooner?

Support at Home funding is allocated according to:

• your priority category, and
• your approval date.

Your priority category — Urgent, High, Medium or Standard — is determined through your aged care assessment based on your circumstances and level of need.

This means funding is not allocated purely on a first-come, first-served basis. Someone with a higher priority may receive funding sooner than someone with a lower priority who was approved around the same time.



Within each priority category, your approval date also helps determine your position.

You can check your priority and approval information in the Notice of Decision you receive after your assessment. If you are unsure what your outcome means, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.

What Happens While You Wait for Funding

Once you are approved for ongoing Support at Home services and are actively seeking care, the process generally looks like this:

Assessment → Approval → Priority System → Funding Allocation → Choose a Provider → Start Services

If you are looking for care when you receive approval, your status will be recorded as “seeking services.”

While you are waiting, you do not have to put all your planning on hold. You can start researching providers, think about which approved services are most important to you and keep My Aged Care informed if your circumstances change.



You may receive interim funding

If there is a delay in receiving your full ongoing Support at Home funding, you may be allocated interim funding.

Interim funding provides 60% of the funding for your approved ongoing classification, allowing you and your provider to prioritise critical approved services while you wait.

The remainder is allocated when full funding becomes available and is not backdated.

Interim funding is not automatic. People in the Urgent priority category receive their full ongoing funding rather than interim funding.

If you need help before funding becomes available, contact My Aged Care to discuss what support may be available based on your circumstances.



What If My Needs Change While I Am Waiting?

A lot can change during a five-, six- or seven-month wait.

For example:

• Mum may start having more falls.
• Dad may struggle to shower or dress without assistance.
• Mobility may decline after an illness or hospital stay.
• Preparing meals or completing household tasks may become harder.
• A spouse or family member may no longer be able to provide the same level of care.

If there has been a significant change in your circumstances, contact My Aged Care. A Support Plan Review or reassessment may be appropriate.

If you are reassessed while waiting and receive a different priority category, your position within that category is based on your original approval date.

The important point is simple: don't assume you have to keep waiting under your original circumstances if your needs have significantly changed.

If you already receive services from FOCUS Connect, you can also speak with your Care Coordinator about changes to your needs or circumstances.

Are All Support at Home Funding Wait Times the Same?

No. Some types of Support at Home funding work differently from ongoing funding.

Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) have separate priority systems from ongoing Support at Home funding.



This means you may be waiting for different types of approved funding at the same time. If one type becomes available first, you may be able to use it without waiting for all your other funding to arrive.

Restorative Care and End-of-Life Pathways

People approved for the Restorative Care Pathway or End-of-Life Pathway receive immediate access to that pathway's funding rather than joining a funding waitlist for it.



Motor Neurone Disease

Older people with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) recorded during their aged care assessment receive urgent priority for ongoing Support at Home funding. Eligible people with

MND who have been approved for Assistive Technology or Home Modifications also receive immediate priority for that AT-HM funding.

These arrangements have specific eligibility and assessment requirements, so speak with My Aged Care about what applies to your circumstances.

What Can I Do While Waiting for Funding?

Instead of simply waiting for your allocation letter, use this time to prepare.



1. Check your approval

Keep your Notice of Decision and support plan somewhere accessible. Check your priority category, access approval start date and what services you have been approved to receive.

2. Keep My Aged Care updated

Make sure your contact details are correct. More importantly, tell My Aged Care if there is a significant change in your health, mobility, living arrangements or informal care.

3. Think about what help matters most

Consider which everyday activities are becoming difficult and what you want to remain independent with.

For example, you may need help with showering but still want to prepare your own meals. Or transport may be important because it allows you to continue attending appointments and community activities.

For families, having these conversations early can make care planning easier later.

4. Start researching providers

You do not need to wait until your funding is allocated to learn about Support at Home providers.



Consider asking:

• Do you provide the services I have been approved for?
• Do you provide services in my area?
• How will my services be planned and reviewed?
• How are prices and contributions explained?
• What happens if my needs change?
• Can you support my cultural or language preferences?
• Can my family or carer be involved in planning my support?

Starting this process early can help you make a considered decision rather than feeling rushed when your funding becomes available.

What Happens When My Funding Is Allocated?

When your funding becomes available, you will receive a funding allocation letter.

You generally have 56 days from the date of that letter to choose a provider, enter into a support at home service agreement and start services.

If you need additional time to find a suitable provider, you can ask My Aged Care for a 28-day extension.

If services do not begin within the required timeframe, your funding may be withdrawn and allocated to the next person in the Priority System.

Having already researched providers can therefore make this stage much easier.

Get clear on Support at Home pricing, fees, funding and participant contributions so you can better understand your costs and plan your care with confidence.

How Can FOCUS Connect Help?

FOCUS Connect is an approved, not-for-profit My Aged Care provider delivering Support at Home services across South West Sydney and Northern Sydney.

Depending on your approved support plan and available funding, we can assist with services across:

• Clinical Supports, including nursing and allied health services
• Independence Support, including personal care, transport, social support, respite care, assistive technology and home modifications
• Everyday Living Support, including cleaning, meal preparation, gardening and minor home maintenance.

Your support should reflect more than a list of services. Your goals, independence, cultural background, language, family relationships and the things you want to continue doing can all be important when planning your care.

We can work with you to organise approved services around your needs and preferences and review your support as your circumstances change.

Frequently Asked Questions About Support at Home Wait Times

Take the Next Step with FOCUS Connect

Choosing a provider early can give you and your family time to discuss your needs, preferences and approved services, so you are better prepared when your funding becomes available.

Contact us to discuss your Support at Home options and get ready for when your funding becomes available.