Key points

  • You receive 60% of your quarterly budget as interim funding when first assigned Support at Home
  • The remaining 40% is released after you formally choose a provider
  • You have 56 days (8 weeks) from funding assignment to select a registered provider
  • Missing the deadline can result in your funding being paused
  • Choosing a provider within 56 days does not lock you in permanently
  • Carevo connects you with registered providers so you can compare options quickly

What is interim funding?

When you are approved for the Support at Home program and your funding is assigned, you do not immediately receive your full quarterly budget. Instead, the system releases 60% of your budget as interim funding.

This 60% is real money that you can use for services straight away. It is not a holding amount or a promise of future funding. Your provider can begin delivering services against this interim allocation as soon as your agreement is in place.

The remaining 40% is held back until you complete one critical step: formally choosing a registered provider and entering into a service agreement.

This might seem like an odd arrangement. If the government has already approved you for a certain level of funding, why not just give you all of it? The answer comes down to how the system manages accountability and cash flow.

Why the 60/40 split exists

The 60% interim funding structure serves several purposes within the Support at Home program.

Preventing idle funding

Under the old Home Care Package system, one of the persistent problems was unspent funding. People would be assigned a package but take months to choose a provider, during which time their allocated funding sat unused. Meanwhile, others on the waiting list could have been using those resources.

The 60/40 split creates an incentive to act quickly. You get enough funding to begin services immediately, but the remaining 40% is only released once you have demonstrated that you are actively using the system by choosing a provider.

Protecting the participant

The 56-day window also protects you. It gives you time to research providers, compare options, and make an informed choice without the pressure of losing all your funding if you do not decide on day one.

Starting with 60% means you can begin receiving essential services like nursing, personal care, or domestic assistance while you take time to evaluate which provider is the best long-term fit.

System-level budget management

From a system perspective, the 60/40 split helps the government manage cash flow across the program. Releasing funding in stages allows for better forecasting and ensures that funding is flowing to people who are actively receiving services.

The 56-day deadline explained

The 56-day deadline is the most important timeline you need to know about when your Support at Home funding is first assigned.

What the deadline means

From the date your funding is assigned (not the date of your assessment, but the date your actual budget becomes active), you have 56 days to:

  1. Choose a registered Support at Home provider
  2. Enter into a formal service agreement with that provider
  3. Have your provider confirm the arrangement through the My Aged Care system

All three steps must be completed within the 56 days. Simply contacting a provider or having a conversation is not enough. The formal agreement must be in place and confirmed in the system.

How the 56 days are counted

The clock starts on the day your funding is assigned, which is the date you receive your funding assignment letter from My Aged Care. This letter confirms your classification level, your quarterly budget amount, and the date from which your 56-day period begins.

Day 1 is the day after the assignment date. Day 56 is your deadline. Weekends and public holidays count.

What you should do in each phase

Days 1 to 14: Research and shortlist

Use this time to research providers in your area. Look at what services they offer, their fees, their reputation, and whether they have experience with your specific needs. Carevo connects you with registered providers across Australia, making it straightforward to compare options. Carevo lists 2,131 aged care providers across 1,568 suburbs, so there is usually a shortlist to compare within your first two weeks.

Days 15 to 35: Meet and evaluate

Contact your shortlisted providers. Ask for a meeting (in person or over the phone) to discuss your care needs. Ask about their fees, how they manage budgets, what happens if you want to change services, and how they handle complaints.

Key questions to ask:

  • What are your administration and care management fees?
  • How do you report on budget spending?
  • Can I see a sample service agreement?
  • What is your process for changing or stopping services?
  • Do you have experience with my specific care needs?

Days 36 to 56: Finalise and sign

Choose your provider and sign the service agreement. Make sure you understand everything in the agreement before signing. If anything is unclear, ask for it to be explained in plain language. Your provider will then confirm the arrangement through the My Aged Care system.

When the remaining 40% arrives

Once your provider confirms the service agreement through My Aged Care, the remaining 40% of your quarterly budget is released.

Typical timeline

In most cases, the remaining 40% appears in your budget within a few days to two weeks after your provider confirms the arrangement. The exact timing depends on processing times within the My Aged Care system.

What it looks like in practice

Suppose you are classified at a level where your quarterly budget is $5,000. Here is how the funding flows:

  1. Funding assigned: You receive $3,000 (60%) as interim funding
  2. You choose a provider and sign an agreement (within 56 days)
  3. Provider confirms in the system
  4. Remaining $2,000 (40%) is released, bringing your total quarterly budget to $5,000

The 40% is not backdated to the start of your funding period. It is released from the date of confirmation. This means that if you take the full 56 days to choose a provider, you will have had access to only 60% of your budget for those first 8 weeks. The 40% applies to the remainder of your current quarter.

Budget planning around the split

This is an important point for budget planning. If you are unsure how the split affects your numbers, you can estimate your Support at Home budget and contributions to see what 60% covers against your expected costs. If you know you are going to need your full quarterly budget to cover your care needs, choosing a provider quickly means you have access to the full amount sooner. Waiting until the last week of the 56-day period means operating on 60% for nearly two months.

That said, do not rush into a bad provider choice just to unlock the remaining 40%. Choosing the wrong provider and then having to switch wastes time and energy. A considered choice made within 3 to 4 weeks is better than a rushed choice made in 3 days.

What happens if you miss the 56-day deadline

Missing the deadline has real consequences, though it is not a permanent disaster.

Immediate consequences

If you do not select a provider and enter into a service agreement within 56 days:

  • Your interim funding may be paused. The 60% that was available to you can be suspended. This means services cannot be invoiced against your budget until the issue is resolved.
  • The remaining 40% is not released. Without a provider arrangement in place, there is no mechanism to release the rest of your funding.
  • Your funding may be reallocated. In some cases, funding that remains unused for an extended period can be reallocated to other participants on the waiting list.

How to get back on track

If you miss the deadline, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 as soon as possible. Explain your situation and ask what steps are needed to reactivate your funding.

In most cases, you will need to:

  1. Choose a provider and enter into a service agreement
  2. Have the provider confirm the arrangement in the system
  3. Wait for My Aged Care to reactivate your funding

The reactivation process can take additional time, so the sooner you act after missing the deadline, the better.

Reasons you might miss the deadline

The government recognises that some people have legitimate reasons for not meeting the 56-day deadline:

  • Health crisis. If you are hospitalised or experience a significant health event during the 56-day period, you may be able to request an extension.
  • Limited provider availability. In rural and remote areas, there may be few providers to choose from, and arranging an agreement can take longer.
  • Cognitive or communication barriers. If you have cognitive impairment or limited English and do not have support to navigate the process, this can be a valid reason for delay.
  • No support person. People without family or friends to help them through the process can struggle with the paperwork and decision-making within 56 days.

If any of these apply, contact My Aged Care or an OPAN advocate (1800 700 600) to discuss your options before the deadline passes.

Practical tips for managing the 56-day window

Start researching before your funding is assigned

If you are on the waiting list and know that funding is coming, start researching providers now. You do not need to wait for the official assignment letter. Carevo connects you with registered Support at Home providers, so you can compare options and shortlist candidates before the 56-day clock starts. With 468 active providers currently connecting with families through Carevo, you can build a shortlist well ahead of your assignment date.

Keep a record of key dates

Write down the date your funding was assigned and count forward 56 days. Mark the deadline on a calendar. Set reminders at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks so you do not lose track.

Ask for help if you need it

If the process feels overwhelming, you do not have to do it alone:

  • Family members can help you research and compare providers
  • Your GP or hospital social worker may be able to recommend providers they have worked with
  • Aged care advocates through OPAN (1800 700 600) can walk you through the process step by step
  • Carevo connects you with providers and makes it easier to compare your options in one place

Read the service agreement carefully

Before signing, make sure you understand:

  • The provider’s administration fees and what percentage of your budget they take
  • How care management fees are charged
  • Your right to exit the agreement and what notice period is required
  • How disputes are handled
  • What services are included and what costs extra

If anything is unclear, ask the provider to explain it. If you are still unsure, have an advocate or family member review the agreement with you.

What the 60/40 split means for different classification levels

The impact of operating on 60% interim funding varies depending on your classification level. At lower levels, the difference between 60% and 100% may be manageable. At higher levels, the gap can be significant.

Lower classification levels (1 to 3)

At these levels, quarterly budgets are smaller. The difference between 60% and 100% might be a few hundred dollars. For many people at these levels, the interim funding is enough to cover their essential services while they finalise their provider choice. The pressure to choose quickly is lower because the budget gap is smaller.

Mid-range classification levels (4 to 5)

At these levels, the 40% that is withheld starts to represent a meaningful amount. If your quarterly budget is several thousand dollars, operating on 60% may mean you need to prioritise some services over others in the short term. Talk to your provider about which services are most urgent and structure your initial care plan around the interim amount.

Higher classification levels (6 to 8)

At the highest classification levels, quarterly budgets are substantial, and 40% of that budget is a large sum. If you are at level 7 or 8 with complex care needs, operating on 60% for two months could mean delaying some services or reducing their frequency. This makes choosing a provider within the first few weeks particularly important at higher levels.

Planning around the gap

Regardless of your level, a practical approach is:

  1. Identify your most critical services (those you need from day one)
  2. Cost those services against your 60% interim budget
  3. Identify any services that can wait 2 to 4 weeks until the full budget is available
  4. Communicate this plan to your provider so they can schedule accordingly

Common mistakes to avoid

Rushing into the first provider you find

The 56-day deadline creates urgency, but choosing poorly is worse than taking a few weeks to decide. A bad provider match can mean excessive fees, poor communication, or services that do not meet your needs. Switching providers later is possible but disruptive. Take at least 2 to 3 weeks to research before committing.

Not reading the service agreement

The service agreement is a legal document. Some providers bury unfavourable terms in the fine print, such as high exit fees, long notice periods, or charges for services you did not request. Read the entire agreement. If it is too long or complex, ask an advocate or family member to review it with you.

Ignoring the deadline entirely

Some people receive their funding assignment letter and set it aside, intending to deal with it later. Weeks pass, and suddenly the deadline is days away. Set a reminder on the day you receive the letter and start your research immediately.

Assuming all providers charge the same fees

Provider fees vary significantly. Administration fees, care management fees, and service delivery charges can differ by hundreds of dollars per quarter between providers. Comparing at least three providers on fees alone can save you a meaningful portion of your budget over a year.

How Carevo can help

The 56-day window can feel tight, especially if you are dealing with health challenges at the same time. Carevo connects you with registered Support at Home providers across Australia, helping you compare options and make an informed choice without wasting precious days.

Through Carevo, you can:

  • Browse and compare registered providers in your area
  • See provider ratings and reviews from other participants
  • Understand fee structures before you commit
  • Move quickly from research to signing an agreement

For a full overview of the Support at Home program, visit our complete guide. To explore available providers and services, see our Support at Home services page.

Frequently asked questions

Can I start receiving services during the 56-day period?

Yes. Your 60% interim funding is available for services as soon as you have a provider arrangement in place. You do not need to wait for the full 100% to be released before beginning services. In fact, starting services early is encouraged.

What if I choose a provider and then want to switch?

You can change providers at any time. The 56-day deadline requires you to choose an initial provider, but this does not lock you in permanently. If your first choice does not work out, you can transfer to another registered provider. Your unspent funding follows you.

Does the 60% include the participant contribution (my fees)?

The 60% refers to the government’s funding contribution. Your participant contribution (the amount you pay toward your care) is calculated separately based on your income and assets assessment. You will still need to pay your contribution from the start of your services.

What if I am in hospital when the 56-day period starts?

Contact My Aged Care to explain your situation. If you are hospitalised or in a health crisis during the 56-day period, you may be granted an extension. Having a family member or advocate make this call on your behalf is perfectly acceptable.

Is the 56-day deadline the same for everyone?

Yes. The 56-day deadline applies to all new Support at Home participants regardless of their classification level, location, or circumstances. However, extensions can be granted in exceptional circumstances, as described above.