How Does the Aged Care Support at Home Program Work in 2026?
If you or a loved one are an older Australian looking to stay independent at home for longer, you may have heard about the new Aged Care Support at Home program. It launched in November 2025 and has replaced the previous Home Care Packages system — making it one of the biggest changes to aged care in Australia in decades.
At InCare Supports we are proud to be a Support at Home provider, helping older Australians access the care and products they need to live comfortably and independently at home. This guide explains everything you need to know about the program in plain, simple language.
What is the Support at Home Program?
The Support at Home program delivers government-funded aged care services to help older people stay at home for longer. On 1 November 2025, it replaced the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme, and improves access to services, products, equipment and home modifications to help older Australians remain living independently at home for longer.
The program was developed following the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which identified significant gaps in the previous system and called for major reform.
Who is Eligible for Support at Home?
Support at Home is available to Australians aged 65 years and over, or 50 years and over for First Nations people, who need assistance to continue living safely at home. To find out if you are eligible, you need to contact My Aged Care and arrange a free aged care assessment. This assessment determines what level of support you need and is the first step to accessing funding.
How is Support at Home Funded?
From 1 November 2025, the previous four Home Care Package levels expanded to eight Support at Home classifications, with annual funding of up to $78,106 per year. Your funding level is determined by your individual assessed care needs rather than a fixed package level — meaning the support you receive is tailored specifically to you.
Funds are paid quarterly and you can roll over up to $1,000 or 10 percent of your budget each quarter so unspent funds are not wasted.
What if I Was Already on a Home Care Package?
If you were already receiving a Home Care Package before 1 November 2025, you were automatically transitioned to an equivalent Support at Home funding level without needing a new assessment. There was no gap in services during the transition, and existing clients were protected under a no worse off principle.
What Services are Covered Under Support at Home?
Support at Home covers a wide range of services to help you live independently at home, including:
Personal care such as showering, dressing and continence support Domestic assistance such as cleaning, laundry and meal preparation Social support and community participation Allied health services Nursing and clinical care Assistive technology and home modifications Restorative care to help maintain and improve independence End of life care for those in their final months at home
The government has also announced that showering, dressing and continence support will be fully funded and exempt from co-contributions from October 2026 — great news for older Australians and their families.
Do I Have to Pay Anything?
You will need to contribute towards the cost of your services based on the service being delivered and what you can afford. Services Australia will assess your income and assets to determine your contribution amount. There is a formal annual cap of $15,000 and a lifetime cap of $130,000 on client contributions. Full pensioners generally pay little or nothing.
How Do I Apply for Support at Home?
The process is straightforward:
Step 1 — Contact My Aged Care online at myagedcare.gov.au or call 1800 200 422 Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm Step 2 — Request a free aged care assessment Step 3 — Once approved, you will be assigned a funding classification based on your needs Step 4 — Choose a Support at Home provider that is right for you Step 5 — Work with your provider to agree on the mix of services that best suits your needs and budget
How Can InCare Supports Help With Support at Home?
At InCare Supports we are proud to be a Support at Home provider serving older Australians across Melbourne and beyond. We understand that navigating a new aged care program can feel overwhelming — that is why our friendly team is here to make the process as simple and stress free as possible.
Our Support at Home services include:
Personal care — assistance with showering, dressing, grooming and continence support to help you maintain your dignity and independence at home Domestic assistance — help with cleaning, laundry, meal preparation and other everyday household tasks so your home stays comfortable and safe Social support — assistance getting out and about in your community, attending appointments and staying connected with the people and activities you love Allied health coordination — helping you access the therapists and health professionals you need to maintain your health and wellbeing at home
Support at Home Consumables and Products
In addition to our care services, we stock a comprehensive range of aged care products that can be purchased using your Support at Home funding, including:
Continence products — pads, pull-ups, catheters and waterproof bedding Skincare and personal care — barrier creams, wipes and hygiene products Nutritional supplements and thickeners Daily living aids to support your independence at home Adaptive clothing for comfort and ease of dressing
Why Choose InCare Supports for Your Support at Home Needs?
We are a Melbourne based team that genuinely cares about the people we support. We take the time to understand your individual needs and work with you to make sure you are getting the most out of your Support at Home funding. Whether you need care services, products or both — we are here to help.
Visit our Support at Home page to learn more or call us today on 1300 000 241 to speak with our friendly team. You can also visit us in person at our Nunawading showroom, open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.