Commenced as of November 2025 the Australian Government rolled out the new Support at Home Program designed to simplify and improve access to aged care services at home.
This new program replaced the current Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care with a more flexible and responsive system based on your individual needs. Whether you are looking for help with daily routines recovering from surgery or needing professional nursing care the Support at Home Program offers a wide range of services to help older Australians remain safe healthy and independent in their own homes for longer.
In this blog we’ll break down the types of services you can access through Support at Home so you know what to expect and how these services can support you or your loved one in everyday life.
Personal Care
One of the most requested services under the Support at Home Program is personal care. These are supports that help you carry out every day self-care tasks with dignity and safety.
Personal care may include assistance with showering grooming getting dressed going to the toilet and maintaining personal hygiene. For many older Australians these tasks can become more physically demanding or even unsafe to do alone. With professional support you can receive help while maintaining your independence and confidence.
Care professionals are trained to support these activities in a respectful and person-centred way. This kind of assistance helps reduce the risk of injury while also easing anxiety around daily routines. Personal care services can be delivered at times that suit your lifestyle and can be adjusted as your needs change.
Domestic Assistance
A clean and well-organised home is essential for comfort and wellbeing but keeping up with housework can become harder over time. Domestic assistance under the Support at Home Program can help with tasks like vacuuming laundry dishwashing bed-making dusting and general tidying. It may also include help with grocery shopping preparing meals and organising the pantry or fridge.
Having support in the home allows older Australians to focus their energy on meaningful activities rather than being overwhelmed by chores. Domestic assistance ensures your living space remains manageable and safe reducing fall risks and helping you maintain pride in your home.
Clinical Services and Nursing
The Support at Home Program recognises the importance of access to qualified health care professionals in the home. Nursing services may include wound care continence care catheter support medication management and ongoing monitoring of chronic health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.
Having nurses come to the home means fewer trips to clinics or hospitals and more consistent care in a familiar setting. Clinical services can be tailored to your health needs and coordinated alongside your GP and other specialists to ensure continuity of care. This support helps prevent complications and hospital readmissions and provides peace of mind to both individuals and families.
Allied Health and Therapy Services
Allied health professionals play a vital role in maintaining mobility independence and quality of life. Under the Support at Home Program, you can access services from physiotherapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, dietitians, speech pathologists and more.
For example, physiotherapy can help improve strength and balance reducing your risk of falls while occupational therapy might involve assessing your home for hazards and recommending aids like grab rails or bathroom modifications. Dietitians can support better nutrition and hydration while speech pathologists assist with swallowing and communication difficulties.
These services are often part of recovery following illness or surgery and can also help manage long-term conditions. They are especially valuable for those wanting to continue ageing in place without giving up their lifestyle.
Transport and Mobility Support
Getting around safely is key to staying independent. The Support at Home Program includes assistance with transport for medical appointments social outings shopping or visiting friends and family. This helps older Australians stay connected with their community and access essential services.
For those who no longer drive transport support ensures that a lack of mobility does not lead to isolation. Some individuals may also receive support with mobility aids such as walking frames or wheelchairs under the assistive technology category which can complement transport support.
Social Support and Companionship
Social connection is just as important as physical care. Loneliness and isolation can negatively impact both mental and physical health especially for older people living alone. The Support at Home Program includes funding for companionship visits and social support.
Care professionals can spend time with you at home engaging in conversation playing games reading going for a walk or helping you stay connected with your hobbies and interests. In some cases, support workers may accompany you to community events or social groups. This kind of companionship can be especially important for people living with dementia or facing mobility challenges.
Respite and Carer Support
For families providing care at home the Support at Home Program offers much-needed respite options. Respite care allows family carers to take a break while ensuring their loved one receives high-quality professional care in their absence.
This can include short visits for a few hours or longer periods depending on need. Respite is an essential part of sustaining long term care relationships reducing burnout and improving outcomes for everyone involved.
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications
Under the Support at Home Program additional funding is available for assistive technology and home modifications to help maintain safety and independence. This includes equipment like shower chairs walking aids pressure cushions and personal alarms. It may also cover more significant home modifications like installing ramps grab bars railings non-slip flooring and accessible bathrooms.
These upgrades can reduce the need for daily assistance by improving your ability to manage on your own. Funding is categorised into low medium and high tiers depending on your needs and an assessment will determine what is appropriate.
Restorative and End-of-Life Care Options
Two specific care pathways are available for those who need short term intensive support. The Restorative Care Option provides allied health and therapy services over 6 to 12 weeks to help regain function and delay the need for higher levels of care. It is ideal for people recovering from hospital stays illness or injury.
The End-of-Life Care Option provides enhanced funding and palliative support for those in the final stages of life. This ensures dignity comfort and personalised care at home and supports families through a difficult time. Up to $25 000 may be allocated over 3 months to ensure round-the-clock comfort and symptom relief.
Tailored Care for Every Individual
The beauty of the Support at Home Program is that it is designed to be flexible. You will undergo a personalised assessment and based on your goals preferences and health needs you will be placed into one of eight funding levels. Services are then chosen in collaboration with your provider to match your lifestyle and adjust as your situation evolves.
Whether you need a little help or a lot Support at Home is about empowering you to live well on your own terms.
Support at home from a specialist provider, such as Home Care Assistance, can bring enormous benefits and comfort to your quality of life while living independently at home. Home Care Assistance offers viable solutions for supporting independent living. For more information, get in touch with a Home Care Assistance near me today.
