If you or someone you love is an older Australian who needs help at home, Australia's home care system has changed. From July 2025, the old Home Care Packages program was replaced by the Support at Home program. This guide explains what that means, who it's for, and how to access it.
What is the Support at Home Program?
The Support at Home program is the Australian Government's home care program for older people — generally those aged 65 and over (or 50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people). It provides government-funded support to help you stay living independently in your own home for as long as possible.
The program replaced the old Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and Home Care Packages (HCP) system with a single, more flexible model. If you were already receiving Home Care Package support, you transitioned into the new system in 2025.
Who is it For?
To access Support at Home, you generally need to:
- Be aged 65 or older (or 50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
- Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold an eligible visa
- Need some assistance at home to continue living independently
- Not be fully supported through the NDIS (which applies to those under 65 with a disability)
How Do You Access It?
Access to Support at Home is through My Aged Care — the government's gateway to all Support at Home services in Australia.
Contact My Aged Care
Call 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au. You can register yourself, or someone else can do it with your consent.
Have an assessment
An assessor will visit you at home to understand your needs and goals. This is called an ACAT assessment (Aged Care Assessment Team) or a Regional Assessment Service (RAS) assessment. It's free and takes about an hour.
Receive your support plan
Based on your assessment, you'll be allocated a funding level. This determines what services and how many hours of support you can access.
Choose your provider
You can choose any registered Support at Home provider to deliver your services. This is where St Anastasia's Care comes in — we'll work with you to build a support plan that uses your funding in the way that best suits your life.
What Does Support at Home Fund?
Support at Home funds a range of services to help you stay at home safely and comfortably:
What's Different About the New Program?
The key change from the old Home Care Packages model is that Support at Home is designed to be more flexible and participant-directed. You have greater choice over which services you access and how your funding is used. The program also has clearer pathways between home care and residential care when needed.
For most families, the practical experience won't change dramatically — the same kinds of services are available. What has changed is how they're funded and administered behind the scenes.
“If you're not sure whether Support at Home is the right pathway for you, or if you were on a Home Care Package before July 2025 and are confused about your current status, reach out to us. We're happy to help you understand your options — there's no obligation.”
— Natasha, Founder & Director
Support at Home in Sutherland Shire and St George
St Anastasia's Care is a registered Associated Support at Home provider serving the Sutherland Shire, St George, and Greater Sydney. We deliver personal care, domestic assistance, transport, respite, community access, and social support — all through the Support at Home program.
If you've already had your My Aged Care assessment and are looking for a provider, we can start within days. If you haven't had your assessment yet, we can explain the process and help you prepare.