Support at Home
Care that helps you live well at home.
Support at Home is the Australian Government’s in-home aged care program, designed to help older people remain safe, independent and connected at home. Funding is based on assessed needs and may include ongoing services, assistive technology and home modifications, restorative care or end-of-life support.
Ongoing funding
Eight classifications, matched to assessed needs.
Support at Home has 8 ongoing funding classifications. Your classification and budget are based on your assessed care needs. Higher classifications provide more funding for people with more complex support needs.
Current quarterly budgets — September 2026
Lower assessed supportHigher assessed support
Funding is indexed and changes over time. A further subsidy increase is scheduled from 1 October 2026. View the current classifications fact sheet
Additional pathways
Extra support for specific needs.
Alongside ongoing funding, Support at Home includes three pathways with separate assessed funding.
Assistive Technology & Home Modifications
Approved equipment and home modifications can help you stay safe, independent and connected at home.
- Low — under $500
- Medium — up to $2,000
- High — up to $15,000
Restorative Care Pathway
Intensive allied health and/or nursing support can help eligible older people maintain or regain function and prevent further decline.
- Around $6,000 per episode
- Up to 16 weeks
- Additional funding may be approved
End-of-Life Pathway
Additional funding supports eligible older people with three months or less to live who wish to remain at home.
- Around $25,000
- 12-week funding period
- Remaining funds may be used up to 16 weeks
- Eligibility is assessed using medical evidence
AT-HM examples
Practical changes that support safety and independence.
Eligible participants may receive separate funding for assistive technology and/or home modifications. Empower can help coordinate assessments or prescriptions where required, quotes, suppliers, equipment delivery and approved home modification arrangements.
Funding tiers: Low — under $500 · Medium — up to $2,000 · High — up to $15,000. Assistive technology may exceed $15,000 where approved to meet assessed needs.
Mobility
Approved mobility and walking supports.
Bathroom & toileting
Shower chairs, non-slip supports, commodes and other approved items.
Home safety
Grab rails, ramps, stair lifts and accessibility supports.
Home modifications
Bathroom redesign, doorway changes and other approved modifications.
Services under Support at Home
Support organised around what you need.
Services are organised into three contribution categories and must align with your support plan.
Health and clinical care
- Nursing care
- Allied health and therapy
- Nutrition support
No participant contribution for approved Clinical Supports.
Support for daily activities
- Personal care
- Transport
- Social support
- Respite care
A participant contribution may apply.
Help with life at home
- Domestic assistance
- Gardening
- Meal preparation
- Home maintenance
A participant contribution may apply.
From 1 October 2026
Approved personal care services move to the Clinical Supports contribution category. Eligible participants with available funding will no longer pay a participant contribution for personal care delivered from that date.
Contributions & fees
What you contribute depends on the service.
Services Australia determines applicable contribution rates using the service category and your financial circumstances.
The Australian Government fully funds approved Clinical Supports.
Your rate depends on your financial circumstances.
Your rate depends on your financial circumstances.
Care management
More than support worker shifts.
Your Empower care partner works with you to understand your goals, coordinate approved services, review your care plan, monitor changing needs and help you navigate your Support at Home funding.
Assessment
Understanding your assessment outcome, goals and approved support.
Care planning
Developing a clear care plan and individualised budget with you.
Service coordination
Organising agreed services so your support works together.
Monitoring needs
Checking that care remains safe, suitable and aligned with your goals.
Care plan reviews
Reviewing your plan when needs, preferences or circumstances change.
When care needs change
You do not have to navigate the next step alone.
Care needs can change after a fall, hospital stay, illness or decline in mobility or function. Empower can review your current supports and help you understand whether a Support Plan Review, additional services, AT-HM or another Support at Home pathway may be appropriate.
My care needs have changed — Talk to EmpowerWe listen first
We begin with what has changed and what matters to you now.
We review your support
We look at your current plan, services and available funding.
We explain the options
We outline practical next steps in straightforward language.
We coordinate the response
We help organise agreed services and keep your support connected.
Frequently asked questions
Simple answers, with trusted sources.
Open a question for a concise answer and current Australian Government information.
01What is Support at Home?+
Support at Home is the Australian Government’s in-home aged care program. It provides 8 ongoing funding classifications and additional short-term support through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme, Restorative Care Pathway and End-of-Life Pathway.
Government information02How much Support at Home funding can I receive?+
Your funding depends on your assessed care needs. There are 8 ongoing classifications, each with a quarterly budget. Your classification is shown in your Notice of Decision and support plan.
Government information03What is Assistive Technology & Home Modifications (AT-HM) funding?+
AT-HM provides separate needs-based funding for approved equipment and home modifications that help you stay safe and independent at home. Empower can help coordinate assessments or prescriptions where required, quotes, suppliers and approved equipment or modification arrangements.
Government information04What is the Restorative Care Pathway?+
The Restorative Care Pathway provides short-term, goal-focused support to help eligible older people maintain or improve independence and function. It may include allied health and nursing support and can run for up to 16 weeks.
Government information05What is the End-of-Life Pathway?+
The End-of-Life Pathway provides additional short-term funding for eligible older people who have 3 months or less to live and want to remain at home. Empower can work with the person, family and health professionals to coordinate compassionate in-home support.
Government information06Do I need to contribute towards my services?+
Your contribution depends on the type of service you receive and your financial circumstances. Approved Clinical Supports are fully funded by the Australian Government. Contributions may apply to Independence and Everyday Living services. From 1 October 2026, approved personal care services will also be fully government-funded.
Government information07What happens if I do not use all of my quarterly funding?+
For ongoing Support at Home funding, you can generally carry over up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget, whichever is greater, into the next quarter. Different rules apply to short-term pathway funding and transitioned Home Care Package unspent funds.
Government information08What if my care needs increase or change?+
If your needs change after a fall, hospital stay, illness or decline in mobility or function, Empower can review your current supports and help you understand whether a Support Plan Review, additional services, AT-HM or another Support at Home pathway may be appropriate.
Government information09Can Empower help organise equipment or home modifications?+
Yes. Where approved, Empower can help coordinate relevant health professional assessments or prescriptions, quotes, suppliers, equipment delivery and home modification arrangements.
Government informationHelpful government resources
Official fact sheets and guidance.
The most useful participant information, kept in one place.