Support at Home Eligibility

How Do I Become Eligible for Support at Home?

Australia’s new Support at Home program will help older people live independently at home for longer, with one streamlined system replacing Home Care Packages and the Commonwealth Home Support Programme from 1 July 2025. But how do you know if you’re eligible? And what’s involved in getting approved?

Whether you’re looking for help for yourself or a loved one, this guide explains step-by-step how eligibility works, how to get assessed, what assessors look for, and how you can prepare to get the support you truly need.

Who is Eligible for Support at Home?

The Support at Home program is designed for older Australians who need extra help with daily activities to stay living safely at home instead of moving prematurely into residential aged care.

To be eligible, you generally must be:

• 65 years or older (or 50 years or older if you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person).
• Living at home (ie. not in permanent residential aged care).
• Having difficulties with everyday tasks because of age-related conditions, frailty, or chronic health issues.

Some people under 65 with early onset dementia, complex health needs, or special circumstances may also qualify if they are not eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The Basic Eligibility Rules

Your eligibility depends on:

• Your age — you must meet the minimum age for aged care services.
• Your residency status — you must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or a special category visa holder.
• Your care needs — you must show that you need help with daily activities that you can’t manage safely on your own.

Unlike the NDIS, Support at Home is not asset-tested for initial eligibility. However, once approved, your income may affect how much you need to contribute to your care costs. This is assessed separately by Services Australia (Centrelink).

3. How to Start the Process — My Aged Care

The first step is always to go through My Aged Care, which is the national entry point for all government-funded aged care services.

Here’s how it works:

• Contact My Aged Care — You can call 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au.
• Register — They’ll create a client record for you and ask some initial screening questions about your health, daily activities, and living situation.
• Get an Assessment — Based on your answers, you’ll be referred for a face-to-face assessment at home.

Who Does the Assessment?

There are two types of assessors:

• Regional Assessment Service (RAS): For people with low-level needs. They usually approve entry-level services like cleaning, shopping help or basic home maintenance.
• Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT or ACAS in Victoria): For more complex or ongoing care needs. They assess for higher-level services and more comprehensive support.

Under the new Support at Home program, the assessment process will be refined so that your needs are properly matched with the right level of funding and services.

What Do Assessors Look For?

During your in-home assessment, the assessor will look at:

• How well you can manage daily personal care tasks (e.g. bathing, dressing, toileting).
• Your mobility inside and outside the house.
• How you manage household chores (cooking, cleaning, laundry).
• How you handle medication, shopping, transport and social connections.
• Whether you have any informal supports (family, neighbours) and if they can keep helping you safely.

The aim is not to take away your independence, but to identify areas where extra support would help you stay safe, healthy and connected to your community.

The Outcome: Your Approval Letter

After your assessment, you’ll receive a letter outlining:

• Whether you’re eligible for Support at Home services.
• What level of care you’ve been approved for — entry-level, mid-level, or high-level support.
• Any conditions attached (e.g. review in 12 months).

Once you have this, you can choose your approved provider and start setting up your services. The assessor can give you information on local providers, or you can search on My Aged Care’s website.

How Income Affects What You Pay

It’s important to know that your income does not affect whether you’re eligible — but it can affect how much you need to pay for services. After you’re approved, Services Australia (Centrelink) may assess your income to determine if you must pay an income-tested care fee.

Key points:

• People on the full Age Pension often pay only the basic daily fee (or none for entry-level support).
• Self-funded retirees and part-pensioners may pay extra, depending on their income.
• There are annual and lifetime caps to protect you from excessive costs.

Tips for Getting the Right Level of Support

Sometimes people are approved for less support than they really need because they don’t explain their day-to-day difficulties fully. Here are some tips to help:

• Keep a diary for a week before your assessment — write down what you struggle with and when.
• Think about tasks you avoid doing because they’re too hard or unsafe.
• Have a family member or carer present at your assessment to speak up for you if you forget something.
• If your situation changes — for example, after a fall or hospital stay — you can ask for a reassessment.

What Happens if You’re Declined?

If you’re found ineligible, you can:

• Ask your assessor for feedback — sometimes they’ll recommend trying again if your circumstances change.
• Seek a review if you think the decision was unfair — contact My Aged Care for guidance.
• Check if there are other community programs or state-based services that can help in the meantime.

How to Reassess Your Needs Later

Support at Home recognises that your needs can change over time. If you start with basic support but later need more help, you can:

• Contact your provider or My Aged Care.
• Request a reassessment by ACAT if your health or situation has changed.
• Have your care plan and budget adjusted to include new services or a higher funding level.

A Quick Eligibility Checklist

Use this checklist to get prepared:

• Are you the right age (65+ or 50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)?
• Are you an Australian citizen or permanent resident?
• Do you need help with at least one daily living task to stay safe at home?
• Have you got your Medicare card handy for registration?
• Do you have a list of your medical conditions, medications, and recent hospital visits?
• Do you know who can be your representative if you need help applying?

Supporting a Loved One Through the Process

If you’re helping a parent or partner apply, you can:

• Register as their nominated representative with My Aged Care.
• Help them prepare for the assessment by making lists and gathering paperwork.
• Attend the home assessment to help explain their needs.
• Follow up on approval letters and help compare providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it take to get approved?

It depends on demand in your area — the average is 2–6 weeks for an assessment. More complex cases may take longer, but urgent needs can sometimes be fast-tracked.

Q: What if I need help urgently?

Let My Aged Care know — they can prioritise assessments for people at risk. Your GP or hospital discharge planner can also help speed things up.

Q: Will I need to reapply every year?

No, but you may be reassessed periodically to make sure your support level still matches your needs. You can also request a review at any time if your circumstances change.

Where to Get More Information

For trusted information, visit:

• My Aged Care: www.myagedcare.gov.au
• Call My Aged Care: 1800 200 422
• Talk to your GP or local aged care provider
• Seek advice from community legal centres or financial planners if you’re unsure about fees

Final Thoughts

Applying for the new Support at Home program doesn’t need to be stressful. By understanding the eligibility rules, preparing for your assessment, and knowing your rights, you can get the right level of support to help you live independently and safely at home.

At OMS, we’re here to help older Australians and their families make sense of the aged care system, plan ahead and feel confident about staying in control of their choices. Take the first step today — and remember, support is only ever a phone call away.