Support At Home Program
As you get older, everyday tasks can become more difficult. Even though you may need extra support, you still want to live safely and independently at home. Asking for help doesn't mean losing your independence - it means finding the right support to continue living life your way.
At LifeTec, we help older Australians access assistive technology (AT) and home modifications that enhance safety, mobility, and quality of life. Our experienced occupational therapists and health professionals work with individuals, families, and aged care providers to recommend practical solutions that support independent living.
What is the Support at Home Program?
The Support at Home Program is a new aged care initiative from the Australian Government, being implemented in response to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. It aims to create a simpler, more equitable, and more effective system that helps older people stay at home for longer.
Replacing the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme from 1 November 2025, the Support at Home Program will improve access to:
- Allied health services
- Assistive technology
- Home modifications
- Restorative and end-of-life care pathways
It will bring together multiple in-home aged care programs into a single, streamlined system that supports healthy ageing, independence, and stronger connections to community.
Key Features
The new program will:
- Support up to 300,000 more older Australians by 2034–35
- Introduce new assessment, classification and budget models based on individual needs
- Increase focus on early interventions to promote independence and wellbeing
- Provide higher levels of support for older people with complex care needs
- Allow participants to customise and adjust their mix of services over time
Eligible participants will receive an individual support plan, which includes:
- A summary of care needs and goals
- A classification with an associated quarterly budget
- Approvals for short-term supports, such as assistive technology, home modifications, restorative care, or end-of-life care
Participants can choose services from an approved list and work with providers to update their plan as their needs change. Unspent funds of up to $1,000 or 10% of the quarterly budget (whichever is greater) can be rolled over.
What does this mean for existing home care recipients?
If you're already receiving a Home Care Package or waiting on the National Priority System, you will transition automatically to the new Support at Home system at your current service level. No new assessment is required unless your needs change.
Support at Home will offer 8 classification levels, replacing the current 4-tier Home Care Package structure. Your level will determine your budget and the types of services you can access.
