Support at Home, Made Simple: A Guide To Words & Phrases
The Support at Home program began on 1 November 2025, bringing updates to how aged care is funded and delivered plus some new words you might see in letters and plans.
This easy to read blog guide explains some of the key words and names you may come across. Want more detail? Read our Support at Home blog guide or explore our FAQs .
At a glance
Support at Home helps older Australians stay independent at home with funded services, products and home modifications. It replaces Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care on 1 November 2025, and at a later date bring in the Commonwealth Home Support Programme.
There are eight funding (classification) levels with a quarterly budget for each person. Unused funds up to $1,000 or 10% can roll over to the next quarter.
A Single Assessment System means one assessment and one personalised support plan.
Care management fees are capped at 10% of your quarterly budget. People who can afford it may make means-tested co-contributions towards services.
Clinical care and nursing are fully funded under the Support at Home program.
What is the Support at Home program?
Support at Home is the government's new way of organising home-based aged care. From 1 November 2025 it replaces Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC). At a later date (no earlier than 1 July 2027), the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will also move across.
The program funds services that help you stay healthy, active and connected at home. It introduces three categories of support (clinical care, independence and everyday living), eight classification levels with quarterly budgets, and a single assessment system to make things simpler and more flexible as your needs change.
Key Support at Home terms
🏠 Support at Home program -what does this mean?
Support at Home, is the name for the new aged care program that funds services, products, equipment and home modifications so older people can live independently at home. It replaces Home Care Packages and Short Term Restorative Care from 1 November 2025, and at a later date (no later than 1 July 227) it will also include the Commonwealth Home Support Programme.
Why it matters: You'll see this new name being used by aged care providers, on MyAgedCare and in government announcements, letters and support plans. It signals the move to one streamlined program.
🗂️ Single Assessment System -what is it?
One assessment now replaces multiple assessments. An assessor looks at your needs, strengths and goals. You receive one notice of decision and a personalised support plan to share with your provider.
Why it matters: One assessment covers everything, and it sets your classification level and budget so keep these documents handy.
📝 Means testing / Age Pension means test -what is it?
The Age Pension means test determines how much you may contribute towards independence and everyday living supports. Full pensioners pay 0% for clinical care and a small percentage for other supports; self-funded retirees may pay higher percentages.
Why it matters: Your co-contribution rate depends on your income and assets. Understanding the means test helps you plan any out-of-pocket costs.
☎️ My Aged Care
My Aged Care is the national contact centre and website where you can register for aged care support, find information and complete the initial assessment. It's the entry point to Support at Home.
Why it matters: All assessments and funding decisions start here, so you'll see My Aged Care on letters, eligibility notices and support plans.
✅ Eligibility
What it means: Whether someone can receive government funded Support at Home services. You start by checking eligibility with My Aged Care, then if eligible you have an in person aged care assessment. If you're approved, you'll get a Notice of Decision and a personalised support plan that sets out your classification and quarterly budget.
Why it matters: Support at Home funding and services are only available after an assessment confirms your needs.
🏛️ Services Australia
Services Australia is the government agency that works with My Aged Care to assess your income and assets for Support at Home contributions.
Why it matters: Your means-tested contribution (if any) is what you may have to contribute towards your care, so it's useful to know who determines it and who may get in contact with you.
🤝 Care Partner
A staff member from your chosen aged care provider who coordinates your services and supports you to get the best outcomes from your care. Care partners handle care planning, reviewing your plan, organising care and helping you navigate the system as your needs change.
Why it matters: Under Support at Home, care management is a defined activity (funded at up to 10% of your quarterly budget) delivered by your provider, your care partner is the person who does this work with you.
👥 Participant
The person approved to receive Support at Home services, usually referred to as a participant in program documents. For example, program guidance refers to someone receiving services as a Support at Home participant.
Why it matters: Wherever you see 'participant', it simply means the older person who has been assessed and approved for Support at Home.
👋 Registered Supporter
A registered supporter is a trusted person the older person chooses to help them make and communicate their own decisions about aged care. They can speak with providers, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and My Aged Care on the person's behalf, with the person's consent. A registered supporter is not a substitute decision maker (for example, not a guardian) and cannot make decisions for the person. Their role is to support the person's will and preferences.
What a registered supporter can do:
- Request, access and receive information about the older person's aged care, with consent.
- Help the person understand options and communicate choices to assessors, providers and the Commission.
- Assist with making a complaint or giving feedback about aged care services.
What a registered supporter can't do:
- Make decisions for the older person or override their choices.
- Act as a legal substitute decision‐maker unless they also hold a separate legal authority (e.g., enduring power of attorney).
How to register a supporter:
1. Through My Aged Care (online account or phone),
2. During an assessment with an assessor,
3. With an Aged Care Specialist Officer at a Services Australia service centre,
4. Or by completing and submitting the relevant form.
Source: Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission - "Supporters" (7 Jan 2026).
🧑🦽Assistive Technology & Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme -what is it?
Separate funding (on top of your quarterly budget) for equipment and home modifications. There are three funding tiers (low, medium and high) to apply for funding for items like mobility aids or to modify a bathroom.
If you are approved for the AT-HM scheme after your aged care assessment, you can access up to $15,000 for home modifications and $15,000 (or more with evidence) for assistive technology.
Why it matters: AT-HM doesn't reduce your service budget. Your provider can help with the application.
📊 Classification level -what is it?
The four Home Care Package levels are being replaced by eight ongoing classification levels. Each level has a set annual and quarterly budget.
Existing home care recipients will be mapped to an equivalent level. New applicants are assessed into one of the eight.
Why it matters: Your level determines your quarterly funding, and it can change if your needs change.
👥 Care management fee -what is it?
A fee providers can charge to coordinate and monitor your services. It's capped at 10% of your quarterly budget, so at least 90% goes to services.
Why it matters: You'll see it on your statement. The cap makes comparing providers easier and protects most of your funding for care.
📝 Co-contribution -what does this mean?
Support at Home introduces means-tested co-contributions for people who can afford to pay. You pay a percentage of the cost of independence and everyday living supports based on your income and assets. You only pay for services you receive.
Why it matters: These are out-of-pocket costs on your invoices. Co-contributions are assessed via the Age Pension means test. Clinical supports are fully covered -there are no co-payments for nursing, allied health or continence care.
🩺 Clinical care -what does it cover?
Clinical care includes nursing, most allied health, nutrition, care management, and continence care. These services are fully covered by the government.
Why it matters: No out-of-pocket contributions for clinical care -essential for health conditions and rehabilitation.
🩼 Independence supports -what does it include?
Help with daily activities and skills. Examples: personal care, community engagement, therapeutic services, respite, transport, assistive technology and home modifications.
Why it matters: These keep you safe and connected at home. Some may involve co-contributions depending on your finances.
🛍️ Everyday living supports -what does it include?
Tasks that keep your home liveable: domestic assistance, home maintenance, minor repairs, meals and meal preparation.
Why it matters: Practical support for a comfortable home, especially when physical tasks get harder.
🕊️ End of Life Pathway -what does it mean?
Provides additional care and support for people with three months or less to live who want to remain at home. Offers up to $25,000 in funding over 12 weeks, with 16 weeks to use the funds to provide more flexibility.
Why it matters: Extra support for comfort and dignity at home for when it matters most.
🏠 Home Care Packages - what happens to them?
They're the current funding arrangements that will be absorbed into Support at Home on 1 November 2025. Recipients will be mapped to an equivalent classification level.
Why it matters: You don't need to reapply, and your contributions should stay the same or be lower under the no worse off principle.
🤝 "No worse off" principle -what is it?
If you were receiving a Home Care Package or were on the waitlist by 12 September 2024, you'll be no worse off under Support at Home -your financial contributions stay the same or go down.
Why it matters: If you already have home-care funding, this protects you from higher costs when the new program begins.
📆 Quarterly budget -what is it?
Instead of one yearly amount, Support at Home provides a three-month budget based on your classification level. You and your provider manage it together and can adjust services as your needs change.
Why it matters: Shorter budget periods are easier to manage. Unused funds up to $1,000 or 10% (whichever is greater) can roll over to the next quarter.
🔁 Rollover -what does it mean?
If you don't spend all your quarterly budget, up to $1,000 or 10% (whichever is greater) moves to your next quarter.
Why it matters: You won't lose that portion of unspent funds, which helps you plan for ups and downs.
🏥 Restorative Care Pathway -what is it?
Short-term, intensive help (up to 12 weeks) after a setback, including nursing and allied health like physiotherapy. An extra budget of about $6,000 (or up to $12,000 if required) may be available.
Why it matters: Helps you regain independence while staying at home. It's separate from your regular classification budget.
Still have questions?
Check out our FAQs page or our helpful guides on Support at Home, Aged Care and more on our News page.
Need Help?
If you're looking for support, we're here to help. Feel free to reach out if you'd like to learn more about our aged care services. Call the BCD team on 1800 275 223, or contact us online - we're here to help you.
Sources used
My Aged Care website: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/
Support At Home Website
https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home?language=en
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care A guide for older people,families and carers PDF
Disclaimer
The information provided in this blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the content, we encourage you to visit the relevant government websites for the most up-to-date and official information.