Australia · Preparation checklist

Support at Home application checklist

1. Step 1

   Check the age eligibility

   Support at Home is for people aged 65 and over, or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

2. Step 2

   Contact My Aged Care

   Start at myagedcare.gov.au — a Medicare card is required to apply online — or phone 1800 200 422.

3. Step 3

   Take part in the Single Assessment System assessment

   My Aged Care arranges an assessment through the Single Assessment System. An assessor typically makes contact within around three weeks.

4. Step 4

   Read the Notice of Decision and funding classification

   The Notice of Decision sets out the assigned funding classification. There are eight classifications, ranging from $10,731 to $78,106 a year, indexed on 1 July each year and paid as quarterly budgets, with up to 10% deducted for care management.

5. Step 5

   Choose a registered Support at Home provider

   Services are delivered by registered providers, and you choose which one to work with. Anyone who held — or was approved for — a Home Care Package by 12 September 2024 keeps their funding level under the "no worse off" transition arrangements.

6. Step 6

   Work out how respite fits for the carer

   Carers access respite either through the participant's Support at Home budget, or through the separate Carer Gateway program, which is aimed at carers rather than at the person receiving care.