Support at Home
Why Care Connect is Your Best Choice for Support at Home
As a trusted not-for-profit aged care provider with over 30 years’ experience, we help people live safely, happily and independent at home.
At Care Connect, we partner with you and your support people (family members, carers and advocates), to understand and navigate the Support at Home program. Looking for obligation-free advice? Get in touch with us or continue reading below.
What is the Support at Home program?
The Support at Home program is government funded home care that aims to improve access to services, products, equipment and home modifications to help you remain living independently at home for longer. It was introduced in November 2025 and replaces the Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care programs. The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) is expected to move into Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027. This change aims to bring different types of aged care support at home together under one simpler system.
Who is eligible for the Support at Home program?
You may be eligible for the Support at Home program if you are:
- Aged 65 or older; or 50 or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- An Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Living at home rather than in residential care
- Assessed by My Aged Care as needing support to live independently.
What Support at Home Services can you access with Care Connect?
With Care Connect, you can access a wide range of Support at Home services which are grouped into three categories including: - Everyday living, such as cleaning, meals and transport, Independence such as personal care and help with daily tasks and Clinical Care such as nursing and allied health
Short-term pathways and additional support
Alongside ongoing care, the Support at Home program includes short-term support options for specific situations. These are different from your regular services and are designed to help at key points of your life.:
Short-term intensive support to help you restore your strength, confidence and independence following injury, illness or a hospital stay. Learn more
Additional funding support during your final months of life, allowing you to remain at home surrounded by the people you love. Learn more
The AT‑HM Scheme is different. It provides separate funding for equipment and home changes that make your home safer and easier to live in, such as mobility aids, bathroom safety changes, ramps or handrails. It works alongside your care, rather than being limited to a certain time frame.
Learn more
How Funding Works
The Support at Home program has eight funding levels, aiming to provide flexibility to match your personal care needs.
Each level has a quarterly budget (3 month time period). Each quarter you can rollover $1,000 or 10% of your funds, whichever is greater. At the highest level, funding can reach up to $78,000 per year. If you are unsure what this means, contact our friendly team who can answer your questions.
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How to Get Started with Care Connect
Not sure where to begin? Don’t worry - we’ll walk you through it.
Register For Funding
Register on the Australian Government’s My Aged Care website. Once registered you will be contacted to arrange an assessment. Care Connect can support you through this process. This assessment is used by the Government to determine which level of funding you’re eligible for. When you have been approved and then assigned your Support at Home funding, Care Connect will work with you to help you get the most from it. (It is important to note that even if approved for funding, it can take up to 6-12 months to get this funding assigned to begin accessing services).
Build Your Care Plan
We’ll work with you to create a care plan that’s tailored to your lifestyle. Need help with cleaning? Personal care? Maybe some nursing support? We’ll build a plan that’s just right for you, based upon your assessed care needs.
Enjoy Ongoing Support
Once you’re set up, Care Connect will be there to coordinate services, and your Care Partner will check in regularly, and update your plan whenever needed. With Care Connect, you’ll always feel supported.
Why choose Care Connect for Support at Home?
With over 30 years’ experience, Care Connect is a not-for-profit home care provider trusted by more than 86,000 people throughout Melbourne, North Eastern Victoria, Sydney, Northern New South Wales, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
There are many reasons why so many people choose Care Connect for Support at Home services, including:
- We Focus on You: Your care plan is designed around your goals, preferences, and daily needs—not a one-size-fits-all approach.
- We’re With You All the Way: You’ll be matched with a Care Partner who knows you, advocates for you, and helps adjust your services as needed.
- We’re Transparent: No hidden fees, no confusing jargon. Just straightforward advice about funding and costs.
- We’re Experienced: You can trust our qualified staff to deliver consistent, high-quality care with professionalism and warmth.
Ready to start accessing Support at Home services with Care Connect?
Finding the right support makes all the difference—and with Care Connect, you’ll have a compassionate and expert partner you can trust.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to switch providers, Care Connect is here to make your in-home care journey smooth, simple, and supportive.
Talk to our friendly Care Connect team today. We’ll help you understanding your options and guide you to confidently take the next steps.
Your next steps made easier.
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Switching to Care Connect will put you back in control of your care arrangements and ensure you receive maximum value from your Support at Home funding. We’ll take care of the paperwork, and get your services started quickly so you’re not inconvenienced.
Make a fresh start today
Call 1800 692 464 to arrange a free in-home visit from your local Care Connect Adviser. -
To be eligible for Government funding you must be:
- Aged 65 or older (50+ for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people)
- Require additional support to live independently at home
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Support at Home is a government-funded program commencing November 1 that will replace the current Home Care Packages (HCP) program, and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC). It aims to make it easier for older Australians to access coordinated, personalised care at home.
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To begin the process you need to register with My Aged Care online or at 1800 200 422. An assessment will then be arranged which will help to determine the right level of care for you, based upon your assessed needs.
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The services you are able to access will depend upon your assessed needs and will be drawn from a defined list of services. The Australian Government has developed 3 categories: Clinical Care, Independence and Everyday Living. Some of these services include:
- Personal care (eg. showering, dressing)
- Domestic assistance (eg. cleaning, laundry)
- Transport to appointments
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Nursing and allied health
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The Support at Home program is a ‘user pays’ model where you will only financially contribute towards the services you receive, except for clinical care services. No one will be required to pay for clinical (nursing) care services, regardless of financial status. The amount you will be required to pay is based on a percentage of the price for each service type (eg. domestic assistance, personal care, shopping assistance etc) or a percentage of the cost of the item (eg. aids and equipment, allied health services, delivered meals etc).
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Care Management is a dedicated service that helps participants coordinate and optimise their care plans. It includes:
- Care Planning: Developing personalised care plans based on individual assessments.
- Service Coordination: Ensuring all services are delivered seamlessly and efficiently.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Regular reviews to adapt care plans as needs change.
- Support and Education: Providing guidance and resources to help participants make informed decisions about their care.
Under the Support at Home Program every participant has access to professional support throughout their care journey.
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Care Management plays a critical role in enhancing the quality of life for older Australians by:
Simplifying Care Coordination
Navigating aged care services can be overwhelming. Care Partners act as advocates, handling the complexities of service arrangements so participants can focus on living independently.
Ensuring Continuity of Care
With regular check-ins and annual reviews, Care Partners ensure that services remain aligned with evolving needs, avoiding gaps in support.
Promoting Independence
By tailoring services to individual preferences and goals, Care Partners empower participants to retain control over their lives while receiving the care they need.
Improving Outcomes
Through ongoing monitoring and evaluation, Care Partners help identify opportunities to enhance health and wellbeing, ensuring participants receive the most effective support available.
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Care Management doesn’t just benefit participants—it also provides peace of mind for families. Knowing that a professional is overseeing their loved one’s care ensures families can stay involved without feeling overwhelmed by administrative tasks or service coordination challenges.
If you have a question
Our support team will have the answer
For more information about the many ways Care Connect can enable you and your loved ones to continue to live safely and happily at home and in the community, get in touch today for friendly, expert advice.
Enquire now