Support at Home
A new way to access aged care support. More choice. More flexibility. More control.
Starting 1 July 2025, Support at Home replaces Home Care Packages with a simpler, more flexible funding system that puts you in charge of your care—including immediate access to assistive technology like Aware Guardian.
Flexible Funding
Choose how to spend your quarterly budget across services that matter most to you
Technology-Friendly
Access assistive technology funding immediately without saving up from your care budget
No Waiting List
Services typically start within 2-4 weeks of assessment, much faster than the old system
What's Changing
Support at Home represents the biggest improvement to aged care support in decades. Here's what's different from the old Home Care Package system.
The Old System
4 rigid package levels with fixed budgets
Long waiting lists (often 12+ months)
Had to save up for assistive technology from care budget
Annual budget cycles with limited flexibility
Complex provider switching process
The New System
8 classification levels tailored to your specific needs
No waiting list - services start in 2-4 weeks
Separate AT-HM funding for technology - access immediately
Quarterly budgets with carryover for better planning
Easy provider switching to ensure you get quality care
The Biggest Change: Assistive Technology & Home Modifications (AT-HM)
For the first time, you can access separate funding for safety equipment, monitoring systems like Aware Guardian, and home modifications—without draining your care budget or waiting to save up. This means you can get the technology you need right away while still having your full quarterly budget for personal care, cleaning, and other services.
Current Home Care Package recipient?
Your funding automatically transfers on 1 July 2025. No new assessment required, and you won't be worse off under the new system.
Classification Levels
Support at Home uses 8 classification levels to match funding to your specific needs. Your level is determined by a professional assessment and can be reviewed as your needs change.
Low Support Needs
For people who need some help to stay independent
For mostly independent people needing occasional assistance
For people needing regular light personal care
Moderate Support Needs
For people who need regular daily assistance
For people needing structured support several times weekly
For people requiring near-daily care across multiple areas
For people with complex daily care needs
High Support Needs
For people with complex or intensive care requirements
For people with significant or chronic health conditions
For people requiring coordinated care team support
The most intensive in-home support including palliative care
Plus: Assistive Technology & Home Modifications (AT-HM)
All classification levels can access separate AT-HM funding for assistive technology and home modifications. This funding doesn't come from your quarterly care budget.
Your classification is determined by:
A comprehensive assessment of your care needs, living situation, and support network. Classifications can be reviewed every 12 months or when your circumstances change significantly.
Assistive Technology & Home Modifications
Get the safety equipment and home modifications you need—right away, with separate funding that doesn't touch your care budget.
The Game Changer
For the first time ever, you can access assistive technology funding immediately—without waiting months to save up from your care budget.
Typical AT-HM funding allocation based on your assessment
On your quarterly care budget—it's completely separate funding
Access once approved—no saving up period required
What's Covered by AT-HM Funding
Monitoring Systems
Mobility Aids
Communication Tech
Home Modifications
Personal Care Aids
Smart Home Tech
Meet Aware Guardian
The most comprehensive monitoring solution fully fundable through AT-HM. One device replaces multiple safety systems, making it a smart budget choice.
Fully covered by AT-HM funding for most classifications
Compared to purchasing fall detection, activity monitoring, and emergency response separately
Australian families already using Guardian for independent living
How to Access Your AT-HM Funding
Get Assessed
Your Support at Home assessment includes AT-HM needs evaluation
Health Professional Prescription
Your provider arranges allied health assessment for equipment needs
Choose Equipment
Select from approved suppliers or request specific items like Guardian
Get Installed
Your provider coordinates installation and setup at no extra cost
Services & Support Categories
Choose from a wide range of services to support your independence. Each category has different contribution rates based on your pensioner status.
- • Nursing services & wound care
- • Medication management
- • Allied health (physio, OT, podiatry)
- • Health monitoring & assessments
- • Personal care (bathing, dressing)
- • Mobility support
- • Continence management
- • Transport to appointments
- • House cleaning & laundry
- • Meal preparation & delivery
- • Garden maintenance
- • Social activities & community participation
- • Radar monitoring systems like Aware Guardian
- • Fall detection & emergency alarms
- • Smart home safety sensors
- • Mobility aids & equipment
- • Grab rails & handrails
- • Bathroom modifications & ramps
- • Stair lifts & accessibility improvements
- • Non-slip flooring & lighting upgrades
- • Care plan development & reviews
- • Service coordination
- • AT-HM funding applications
- • Health professional liaison
How to Apply
Getting started with Support at Home is straightforward. Follow these steps to access funding and begin receiving support—including AT-HM funding for Aware Guardian.
Contact My Aged Care
Your first step to accessing aged care support
Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm) or visit myagedcare.gov.au to register and request an assessment.
What to prepare: Medicare card, details of your current health conditions, mobility concerns, information about daily activities where you need help, and any safety concerns (falls, living alone, medication management).
Complete Your Assessment
Professional evaluation using the new Integrated Assessment Tool
An Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessor will contact you to arrange an assessment using the new Single Assessment System. This can be done at your home, over the phone, or at a local assessment center.
Assessment covers: Your health, mobility, daily living activities, safety needs, social connections, home environment, and assistive technology requirements. It typically takes 60-90 minutes and determines both your Support at Home classification (1-8) and AT-HM funding tier.
Receive Your Approval & Classification
Get your classification level and funding details
If approved, you'll receive a letter with your assigned Support at Home classification (1-8 for ongoing support, or short-term pathway), your quarterly budget amount, and your AT-HM funding tier for assistive technology and home modifications.
Timeline: Assessment results are typically provided within 2 weeks. Under Support at Home, you can begin services much faster than the old waiting list system, often within weeks of approval.
Choose Your Provider
Select a registered Support at Home provider
Research and compare registered Support at Home providers in your area. You have the right to choose who manages your services and can change providers if needed. Look for providers experienced with assistive technology if you plan to use AT-HM funding for equipment like Aware Guardian.
Consider: Services offered (especially AT-HM coordination), care management fees, reputation, location, experience with safety monitoring technology, and whether they can meet your specific needs including coordinating health professional prescriptions.
Access Your AT-HM Funding
Get assistive technology and home modifications approved
Work with your provider to access your separate AT-HM funding for equipment like Aware Guardian. Your provider will coordinate health professional assessments (if needed), obtain prescriptions, source equipment, and submit funding requests to Services Australia.
AT-HM process: For prescribed items like radar monitoring systems, your provider arranges the occupational therapist or registered nurse assessment (covered by AT-HM funding), obtains the prescription, gets quotes, and handles all approval paperwork.
Aware Guardian Eligible
Radar monitoring systems like Aware Guardian are commonly approved under AT-HM funding. Your provider can coordinate the entire process.
Start Receiving Support
Begin your personalized care journey
Work with your provider to create a personalized care plan using your quarterly budget. Services are tailored to your goals, preferences, and assessed needs. Your budget is managed by Services Australia and refreshes quarterly.
Your rights: You control how your funding is spent across approved services, can carry over up to $1,000 or 10% of quarterly budget (whichever is greater), review your care plan regularly, and have the right to change services or providers. AT-HM funding is separate and doesn't impact your quarterly care budget.
Ready to Get Started?
Contact My Aged Care to begin your application. The process typically takes 2-4 weeks from initial contact to receiving services.
Call 1800 200 422Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 10am-2pmCosts & Contributions
Support at Home uses a fair, transparent contribution system based on your pensioner status and the type of service. Here's what you need to know.
Under Support at Home, you pay a percentage of service costs based on the type of service and your pensioner status. Clinical care is fully funded (0%), while personal care and everyday living services have contribution rates.
Clinical care services are fully funded by the government with 0% participant contribution.
Assistive technology and home modifications have separate funding with their own contribution rates, protecting your quarterly care budget.
Contribution Rates by Service Type
Your contribution depends on your pensioner status and the service category
AT-HM Funding is Separate
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications have their own funding pool ($5,000 - $15,000+) with different contribution rates. This means purchasing Aware Guardian or other safety equipment doesn't reduce your quarterly care budget.
Financial Protections
Lifetime Cap Protection
$130,000 lifetime cap on participant contributions protects you from excessive costs
No Worse Off Principle
If you had a Home Care Package before Sept 12, 2024, you won't pay more under the new system
Transparent Pricing
Monthly Services Australia statements show exactly what you're paying and where funding is going
Hardship Provisions
Financial hardship assistance available for those who qualify - fees can be reduced or waived
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about Support at Home funding, services, and assistive technology.
Starting your Support at Home journey
Still have questions?
Our team is here to help you understand Support at Home funding and how Aware Guardian can support your independence.
Available Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm AEST
Ready to Get Started?
Choose the path that's right for you. Whether you're ready to apply for Support at Home or want to explore Aware Guardian, we're here to help.
Apply for Support at Home
Contact My Aged Care to start your application and assessment process
Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 10am-2pm AEST
Explore Aware Guardian
Learn how Guardian can be fully funded through your AT-HM allocation
See pricing, features & book a demo
Talk to a Specialist
Have questions? Our aged care technology specialists can help
No obligation consultation
Join 1,000+ Australians already living independently with Aware Guardian, fully funded through aged care support programs.