Support at Home provides access to a wide range of services to help you live independently at home. This guide explains what services are available and how you can access them.

Understanding the service list

Support at Home has a clear, defined service list. This means you know exactly what services are available and what your funding can be used for. All services are organised into three main categories: Clinical support, Independence and Everyday Living.

Clinical support services

Clinical supports services are fully funded by the government. You don’t pay anything towards these health and medical services.

Nursing services

What’s included:

  • General nursing care and health monitoring
  • Wound care and dressing changes
  • Medication management and administration
  • Why it matters: Nursing care helps you manage health conditions at home and avoid hospital admissions.

Allied health services

What’s included:

  • Physiotherapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Social worker

Dietetics and nutrition

What’s included:

  • Nutritional advice
  • Specialised dietary advice
  • Meal planning for health conditions (diabetes, heart disease)

Care management

What’s included:

  • Care planning
  • Services coordination
  • Support and education

Restorative care management

What’s included:

  • Home support restorative care management

Why it matters: Allied health professionals help you maintain independence, manage health conditions, and improve your quality of life.

Independence services

Independence services help you maintain your daily activities and quality of life. You may contribute up to 50% of the cost, depending on your financial situation.

Personal care

What’s included:

  • Assistance with showering and bathing
  • Help with dressing and grooming
  • Continence care and changing

Why it matters: Personal care helps you maintain dignity, hygiene and comfort while living at home.

Social support and community engagement

What’s included:

Why it matters: Staying socially connected improves mental health, reduces loneliness and enhances wellbeing.

Therapeutic services for independence living

What’s included:

  • Art therapist
  • Chiropractor
  • Acupuncturist

Why it matters: Therapeutic services can help manage pain, improve mobility and support your mental and physical wellbeing, helping you stay independent at home longer.

Respite

What’s included:

  • In-home respite (carer takes a break while support worker stays with you)
  • Centre-based respite (day programs)

Why it matters: Respite gives your family carers a break and provides you with variety and stimulation.

Transport

What’s included:

Why it matters: Transport keeps you connected to health services, community activities and essential tasks.

Assistive technology and home modifications

What’s included:

  • Mobility aids (walking frames, wheelchairs, mobility scooters)
  • Bathroom safety equipment (shower chairs, toilet frames, grab rails)
  • Ramps, railings and stair lifts for safe access

Why it matters: The right equipment helps you stay safe, independent and comfortable at home.

Everyday living services

Everyday living services help with household tasks and daily activities. You may contribute up to 80% of the cost, depending on your financial situation.

Domestic assistance

What’s included:

  • Cleaning (floors, bathrooms, kitchen)
  • Dusting and tidying
  • Changing bed linen

Why it matters: Keeping your home clean and tidy helps prevent accidents and maintains a healthy living environment.

Home maintenance and repairs

  • Gardening
  • Basic home repairs and maintenance
  • Clearing pathways and outdoor areas

Why it matters: Maintaining your property prevents hazards and helps you stay safely at home.

Meals

What’s included:

Why it matters: Good nutrition is essential for health, and meal support helps you eat well even if cooking is difficult.

How to access services

Accessing Support at Home services starts with an assessment to determine your classification level. Once you have your classification, you’ll work with your chosen provider to create a care plan together. This care plan reflects your needs, goals and preferences.

You have significant control over your services. You have the right to choose which services you want and decide when and how they’re delivered. You can say no to services you don’t want and you can change your mind about services at any time. If there’s a personality clash with a worker, you can request different staff. Your preferences and choices are central to how your care is delivered.

Quality and safety

All services must meet the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. This means your provider must put you at the centre of care and respect your choices and preferences. They must provide safe, high-quality services delivered by qualified, trained staff. Providers are required to respond quickly to any concerns you raise about your care.

What’s NOT covered

Support at Home doesn’t cover services that are available through other government programs like the NDIS or Medicare. It also doesn’t cover costs that should be covered by your health insurance or services for other household members. If you’re unsure whether something is covered, ask your provider.

Maximising your services

Be clear about your goals from the start. Think about what matters most to you – is it staying at home, keeping active or maintaining independence? Prioritise services that make the biggest difference to your quality of life rather than spreading your budget too thin. Remember that equipment and home modifications are funded separately through the AT-HM scheme, so they don’t reduce your service budget. Plan ahead by saving some budget for emergencies or seasonal needs, like extra garden care in spring. Most importantly, communicate openly with your provider about what’s working and what isn’t.

Getting started

For new participants

Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to start the process. You’ll complete an assessment and receive your classification and budget. You can then choose your provider, like Holdsworth, and work with them to select the services that best meet your needs. Once everything is arranged, you’ll start receiving support.

For existing Home Care Package recipients

Your provider will contact you about transitioning to Support at Home. You’ll work together to match your current services to the new service list. The transition should be smooth and you won’t lose any services or funding.

Need more information about services?

Call us on 1300 882 962 or fill out our form to receive a free aged care consultation. At Holdsworth, we’re here to support you.