Support at Home is Australia’s government-funded in-home aged care program (from 1 November 2025) that helps older Australians live safely and independently at home.

On this page

• Support at Home, explained
• What is Support at Home?
• Services Available
• Budgets & Contributions
• Eligibility, assessment, and how to access Support at Home?
• ACAT Assessment 
• Support at Home Services List
• Benefits
• How to Access
• Related Programs
• Existing Home Care Package Customers
• FAQs

Support at Home, explained

Support at Home is Australia's government-funded in-home aged care program. It replaced Home Care Packages on 1 November 2025 and is now the main pathway for older Australians to get help at home. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) continues to operate until at least 30 June 2027 before it, too, moves into Support at Home. The Brisbane North team has delivered in-home aged care across Brisbane North & the CBD for over 10 years.

What is Support at Home?

Support at Home streamlines in-home aged care into a single program. Services are tailored to your goals and needs and delivered by approved providers such as Just Better Care Brisbane North CBD

• Simpler, single system
• Personalised and flexible support
• Equitable access for all backgrounds
• Ability to reassess as needs change
• Eight classification levels so funding better matches your assessed needs. From around $11,000 a year at level 1 to around $78,000 a year at level 8.

Services Available

• Clinical care: nursing, allied health, continence support
• Independence support: personal care, medication prompts, transport, respite
• Everyday living: cleaning, gardening, shopping, meal preparation
• Care management: planning, coordination, regular check-ins

Find out more about the services available and the Support at Home Services List

Short-Term Supports

• Restorative Care Pathway: time-limited allied health/nursing to build strength and independence
• End-of-Life Pathway: priority in-home support for comfort in the last three months
• Assistive Technology & Home Modifications (AT-HM): funding for equipment and safety modifications

Find out more about the short-term support pathways available with Support at Home

Support at Home Costs, Levels & Contributions

• Quarterly budgets aligned to assessed needs
• Carry-over: up to $1,000 or 10% (whichever is greater) each quarter
• Pay only for services used (co-contribution rates vary by income and service type)

Not sure which level you’re on or what you’ll contribute? The Brisbane North & CBD team can talk you through your classification level and quarterly budget.

Find out more about Support at Home budgets and contributions

Eligibility, assessment, and how to access Support at Home?

Support at Home is for older Australians aged 65 and over (and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from age 50).

How to access Support at Home? Start with My Aged Care:

1. Check eligibility via My Aged Care (online or 1800 200 422) or in person, enquire to speak with an Aged Care Specialist Officer at a Services Australia Service Centre
2. Receive an assessment through the Single Assessment System.
3. Wait for a Notice of Decision and Support Plan (with your classification level, approved services, and budget).
4. Once you have your referral code, the Brisbane North & CBD team (based at Chermside) can begin services quickly

You'll be assigned a Care Partner. That will be your dedicated local point of contact for questions, service changes, and reviews. And because your funding follows you, you're never locked in: if your current provider isn't the right fit, you can switch to Just Better Care at any time and your approved budget transfers with you.

Find out more about Eligibility & Assessment

ACAT Assessment

My Aged Care is the starting point for all government-funded aged care services, including the Support at Home program. Through My Aged Care, you can:

1. Request an assessment
2. Check My Aged Care Support at Home wait times
3. Access more information about Support at Home and the My Aged Care Support at Home booklet
4. Locate tools and resources for Support at Home, such as a Support at Home fee estimator and budget planner to help you calculate how much you will need to contribute to your care.

Learn how the ACAT assessment helps determine your eligibility for government-funded Support at Home services and what to expect from the process.

Find out more about the ACAT Assessment – How it works for Support at Home.  

Already have your Notice of Decision?

Once you receive your Notice of Decision, you have 56 days to sign a service agreement and start services. If you need longer to choose the right provider, you can request a 28-day extension. But you must do so before the 56 days are up, or your funding approval may be withdrawn. The local Brisbane North & CBD team can start services quickly once you nominate us, so your funding goes to use rather than going unused.

Support at Home Services List. What is included in Brisbane North & CBD

Here's how our local team delivers each one:

• Clinical care: nursing, allied health, continence support
• Independence support: personal care, medication prompts, transport, respite
• Every day cleaning: cleaning, gardening, shopping, meal preparation
• Care management: planning, coordination, regular check-ins

Find out more about the ACAT Assessment – How it works for Support at Home

What are the benefits of Support at Home with Just Better Care Brisbane North CBD?

• Stay at home longer with tailored support services
• Adjust services as needs change
• Fair, transparent funding
• Quality-assured, person-centred care
• Prioritise continuity of support teams. Around 60 local Support Workers and nurses, many with 5+ years' tenure, Brisbane North & CBD customers see familiar faces.

How to Access Support at Home?

Start with My Aged Care:

• Visit myagedcare.gov.au or call 1800 200 422
• In person, you can enquire to speak with an Aged Care Specialist Officer at a Services Australia Service Centre (not all locations)
• Once you are deemed as eligible, nominate Just Better Care Brisbane North CBD as your Support at Home provider, and our friendly local team will work with you to build out your care plan and support services.

Related Programs

• Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) (entry-level, short-term support)
• Veterans’ Home Care & DVA Community Nursing (for eligible veterans and war widowers)
• Just Better Care Private (self-funded support for extra or immediate help)

Existing Home Care Package customers

If you currently have a Home Care Package, you can continue your care with us as the program transitions to Support at Home. Just Better Care Brisbane North CBD was one of the first approved for-profit aged care providers on Brisbane's north side, and the Brisbane CBD team will guide you through what the change means for your services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Support at Home program for aged care?
The Support at Home Program is a new government-funded model replacing Home Care Packages, designed to deliver more flexible, fair, and transparent in-home aged care.

Can I change my services?
Yes. You can request a reassessment if your needs change.

Is Support at Home different from Home Care Packages?
Yes. While similar in purpose, the new model simplifies funding, improves access, and better matches services to individual needs.

When does Support at Home start?
It started on 1 November 2025

Do I have to pay?
You pay co-contributions only for services used; clinical care has no co-contribution.

Can I add private support?
Yes. You can commence private services through Just Better Care Brisbane North CBD whilst waiting for Support at Home or as additional services or service hours.

How do I apply for aged care at home support?
Start with My Aged Care Support at Home by contacting My Aged Care online or by phone 1800 200 433 to arrange an assessment.

Can I switch to Just Better Care from another provider?
Yes. Under Support at Home, you can change providers at any time, and your approved funding transfers with you. You don't lose your budget when you switch.

How quickly can Support at Home services start?
Once your service agreement is complete, support can usually begin within one to two weeks, depending on the type of care needed. The Brisbane CBD & Brisbane North team will confirm current lead times.

Ready to get started? Contact your local Just Better Care Brisbane North CBD team or call (07) 3056 0777