Waiting for Support at Home Funding? Now Is a Good Time to Prepare
If you’ve been approved for Support at Home but are still waiting for your funding to become available, there is some positive news for older Australians across Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.
As part of the 2026–27 Federal Budget, the Australian Government announced a further $389.8 million investment to accelerate the release of Support at Home funding, with the aim of helping more older Australians access the care they need sooner.
Read more about the 2026–27 Federal Budget announcement
In a recent interview, Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae, confirmed that the additional funding will support the release of 32,000 additional Support at Home places during the 2026–27 financial year, building on the 83,000 additional places released last financial year.
Read the Minister’s Support at Home update
What Does This Mean for Older Australians?
With additional funding being released, your Support at Home funding may become available in the coming months. While there is no guarantee about exactly when an individual will receive their funding, now is a good time to start thinking about what happens next.
You Don’t Have to Wait for Your Funding to Start Planning
Receiving your Support at Home funding is an exciting step, but there can also be a lot to consider.
One of the most important decisions you will make is choosing your Support at Home provider.
You don’t need to wait until your funding becomes available to start researching providers. In fact, doing some preparation beforehand can give you more time to ask questions, compare your options and find a provider you feel comfortable with.
When your funding does become available, you’ll then be in a much better position to get your services underway.
What Should You Look for in a Support at Home Provider?
Choosing the right Support at Home provider is an important decision, and it’s worth taking the time to find one that truly understands your needs, preferences and goals.
To make the process a little easier, we’ve created a helpful checklist for choosing a home care provider, with key questions to ask and things to consider when comparing your options. Whether you’re still waiting for your funding or have recently received your allocation, our checklist can help you feel more informed and confident about choosing the right provider for you.
Download our checklist for choosing a home care provider
When speaking with providers, consider asking about:
- What services they can provide and whether these can change as your needs change
- How your Support at Home budget will be managed
- What fees and charges apply
- How involved you can be in choosing your care team
- Whether they can provide consistent, familiar carers
- How they communicate with clients and families
- What happens if you need additional or different support in the future
- Whether they are local and have a team you can easily contact when you need help
Most importantly, you should feel heard, respected and comfortable with the people who will be supporting you.
Start the Conversation with Home Care Assistance Sydney East
At Home Care Assistance Sydney East, we understand that navigating aged care can sometimes feel complicated. That’s why we’re happy to speak with you before your funding becomes available.
As a local Sydney East provider, our team is based in Eastgardens and is here to answer your questions and help you understand your options. We can provide a free, no-obligation consultation to talk about your situation, explain how Support at Home works and discuss the types of services that may suit you.
There is no pressure to sign up. It’s simply an opportunity to ask questions, understand your options and start planning ahead.
Then, if your funding becomes available, you’ll already know what you’d like your care to look like and who you can call to help get it started.
Already Received Your Support at Home Funding?
If you’ve recently been notified that your funding is available, congratulations! You can now choose a registered provider and start organising your services.
Whether you need help around the home, personal care, transport, social support, nursing, allied health or a combination of services, our Sydney East team can help you develop a personalised care plan around your needs, goals and preferences.
Call our friendly Sydney East team on 02 9158 3880 today to arrange your free consultation and discover how we can help you live safely, independently and confidently at home.
Learn more about Support at Home and how Home Care Assistance Sydney East can support you