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Home Care Assistance

I Need a Support At Home Package

If you have reached a point in your life when you believe you would benefit from a Support At Home Package, there are a number of factors to consider, and ways in which the highly qualified team at Home Care Assistance can help you to navigate what can seem like a daunting process for many.

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I need support but I want to stay at home

Research has shown that most older Australians would rather receive help at home than relocate into an aged care facility* to retain the familiarity of their own home and their independence. This is made possible thanks to Support At Home Packages funded by the federal government.

32,000 more Support At Home Packages to be released…

In the 2026–27 Federal Budget, the Australian Government announced that it will bring forward and release an additional 32,000 Support at Home places during the 2026–27 financial year to help reduce waiting times for older Australians needing in-home care.

What is a Support At Home Package?

Support At Home Packages are government funded and tailored to the individual. They are an option for anyone who has care needs and especially helpful when a coordinated approach to the delivery of help at home is needed.

They can cover everything from assistance with everyday tasks such as housework, gardening and cooking to more complex services such as personal care or wound care.

For many older Australians, accessing government-funded care is an excellent way to remain living independently at home. As your support needs increase, so too does the level of available funding, ensuring the right care is provided at the right time.

Who qualifies for a Support At Home Package?

In order to qualify you need to be over 65 years of age (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) and require support in at least three areas of your life.

For example: Transport, help with meals and support with housework.

Home Care Assistance is here to support you through the process below. You can find your local team HERE.

Are there different packages for different needs?

There are four levels of support available with Home Care Packages:

Home Care Level 1

  • For basic home care needs
  • Funding for up to $8,750 per year
  • Approximately 1-2 hours of support each week

Home Care Level 2

  • For moderate home care needs
  • Funding for up to $15,250 per year
  • Approximately 3-5 hours of support each week

Home Care Level 3

  • For high home care needs
  • Funding for up to 33,500 per year
  • Approximately 6-8 hours of support each week

Home Care Level 4

  • For very high home care needs
  • Funding for up to $50,750 per year
  • Approximately 10+ hours of support each week

What if I need help with only one or two areas?

In such cases, Home Care Assistance charges a Basic Daily Rate when your care needs exceed what is covered by your Support At Home Package.

If you only need support in one or two areas of your
daily life, or are looking for extra assistance while you’re waiting for your Support At Home Package, entry-level subsidised home support is available through the Commonwealth Home Support Program. Contact your local office and one of our friendly team members will guide you through the process so you can stay in the community you love.

How much does a Support At Home Package cost?

The great news is that Support At Home Packages are free to fully funded aged care pensioners. Partially self-funded or fully self-funded retirees are also eligible for a Support At Home Package. You may need to pay an income-tested care fee, which could be as small as $7 per week. You can estimate your care fee using this link

What if I need extra support above the funding level of my Support At Home Package?

Home Care Assistance charges a Basic Daily Rate should your care needs be greater than what is funded by your Support At Home Package.

How do I apply for a Support At Home Package?

There are four easy steps to getting a Support At Home Package

Step 1: Apply for an Assessment

Applying for an assessment is a quick and easy process and can be done online or by calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.  You will need your Medicare card handy to complete the assessment.

Your GP is also able to refer you for an assessment. If you need some assistance or have further questions about the process, get in touch with Home Care Assistance and our friendly team will be more than happy to help guide you through the process.

Step 2: Attend a face-to-face meeting

Typically, within three weeks of contacting My Aged Care, you will be contacted to arrange a face-to-face meeting in your own home, so your support needs can be better understood.

Furthermore, you can find out more about what happens during this meeting and how best to prepare for it here.

Step 3: Await confirmation of your Support At Home Package

Once you’ve been approved for a Support At Home Package, you will be placed on the national queue to wait for a package. The expected wait times can be found here. These times will be shorter if your approval is “High Priority”. 

When your Support At Home Package wait time is less than three months, you will receive a letter from My Aged Care letting you know that it is time to find a Support At Home Package Provider.  This is the perfect time to get in touch with the team at Home Care Assistance. 

Step 4. Give us a call

The dedicated team at Home Care Assistance works
alongside you to create an individualised care plan. We make it easy to receive the best possible value and care from our service. 

We know from experience, that carefully listening to you allows us to meet your needs and for you to continue living life to the fullest.

Home Care Assistance is here to help you navigate your Support At Home Package to best benefit you. By setting up a call we can assist you through the process. You can find your local team here.

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Home Care Assistance Sydney City and East can help you through your journey. Call or Email our team today for your complimentary in-home assessment.

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