Australia's guide to government-funded home care. Support at Home packages, ACAT assessments, provider comparisons — explained clearly for families navigating aged care for the first time.
289,481
Home care recipients in Australia
Source: AIHW
8 levels
Support at Home funding tiers
Nov 2025 program
$78,106
Maximum annual subsidy (Level 8)
2025-26 government rate
Free
WithSally matching service
Always free for families
Government-funded home care allows older Australians to receive support in their own home rather than moving into residential care. The Australian Government subsidises the cost through the Support at Home program — you pay a smaller contribution, and the government covers the rest.
Services covered include personal care (showering, dressing), domestic assistance, nursing, allied health (physiotherapy, occupational therapy), home modifications, and equipment hire.
To access a package, you must be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). There is no cost for the assessment. Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to begin.
2025-26 Support at Home subsidy levels
Source: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
The process is the same regardless of which state you are in. My Aged Care (1800 200 422) is the starting point for everyone.
Contact My Aged Care
Call 1800 200 422 or apply at myagedcare.gov.au. A phone screen assesses your situation.
ACAT assessment
A trained assessor visits your home to understand your needs and recommend a funding level.
Join the national queue
Once approved, you are placed on the queue. Interim support may be available while you wait.
Package assigned
When your package is ready, My Aged Care contacts you. You choose an approved provider.
Start care
Your provider creates a care plan with you. Care begins — usually within a few weeks of signing.
Everything families need to navigate Australia's home care system — from first assessment through to choosing a provider.
Getting started
What is the Support at Home program?
The government program that replaced Home Care Packages in 2025.
Am I eligible for a home care package?
Who qualifies, what age, and what conditions are considered.
ACAT assessment: what to expect
The assessment that determines your funding level — how to prepare and what happens.
How to get an ACAT assessment
Step-by-step guide to contacting My Aged Care and starting the process.
Funding levels
All 8 funding levels explained
Level 1 to Level 8 — what each level provides and who qualifies.
Level 1 — $10,731/year
Basic support needs. Personal care, domestic help, social support.
Level 2 — $18,063/year
Low-level support needs.
Level 3 — $39,310/year
Intermediate support needs.
Level 4 — $59,594/year
High-level support needs.
Costs and money
What does home care cost?
Basic daily fees, income-tested fees, and management fees explained.
What does your budget cover?
What you can and cannot spend your package on.
What can I spend my package on?
Detailed breakdown of approved and excluded items.
Calculate your out-of-pocket costs
Estimate what you will pay based on your income and package level.
Choosing a provider
How to choose a home care provider
What to look for, what to ask, and how to compare.
Questions to ask a provider
The 12 questions every family should ask before signing.
How WithSally vets providers
Our process for recommending providers we would send our own family to.
How to switch providers
You can switch at any time — here is how to do it cleanly.
Specific situations
Dementia home care
Specialist care for people living with dementia — what is available and what to ask.
Respite care
Giving carers a break — types, costs, and how to arrange it.
Palliative care at home
End-of-life care at home — services, funding, and how to arrange urgent support.
Self-managed packages
Managing your own package — how it works and whether it is right for you.
Government-funded vs private care
Understanding what the government pays and what you pay.
Compare government-approved providers in your suburb.
WithSally is a free matching service. We help you compare approved providers, understand your options, and connect with the right fit for your needs. Always free for families.
Get matched — it's free →No cost to families. No obligation.