Support at home providers in Australia

Compare Support at Home Providers in Australia

The Support at Home program replaced Home Care Packages from November 2025. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) continues until at least 30 June 2027 and transitions into Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027. If you have been assessed and classified, or you are starting the process for the first time, the next step is finding a provider who will manage your funding and deliver your care.

Through Carevo you can compare 2,619 aged-care-approved providers across 1,797 suburbs with provider supply, so you can weigh up fees and services in your area.

Carevo connects you with registered Support at Home providers in Australia so you can compare fees, services, and availability. The right provider makes your funding go further. Some providers charge 30-40% in administration, leaving less for actual care. Find providers through Carevo who keep fees low and transparent.

Personal care becomes fully funded under Support at Home from 1 October 2026

From 1 October 2026, personal care services (showering, dressing, continence care) will be fully government funded under Support at Home, moving from the independence category into clinical supports, so care recipients will no longer pay a contribution for these supports. Until 1 October 2026 contributions still apply: full pensioners pay the Independence rate of 5%, and self-funded retirees pay more (up to 50%). Services delivered before 1 October 2026 will still attract a participant contribution even if claimed after that date. To compare providers in Australia who deliver personal care and continence care, use Carevo.

What Support at Home Covers in Australia

Support at Home funds services across the program’s service groups. Providers through Carevo can deliver:

• Clinical care such as nursing and allied health, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and podiatry. This is fully government funded with no contribution from you.
• Help with daily living and personal care including showering, dressing, grooming, and mobility support.
• Domestic assistance and cleaning such as house cleaning, laundry, and home upkeep.
• Social support and community access to keep you connected with people and activities in Australia.
• Meals and nutrition including meal preparation and dietary support.
• Home modifications and assistive technology through the AT-HM scheme, with funding of up to $15,000 a year for items like rails, ramps, and mobility aids.
• Respite for carers so the people who support you can take a break.
• Transport to appointments including medical visits and other essential trips.

What Changed from Home Care Packages

The old 4-level Home Care Package system has been replaced with 8 classification levels under Support at Home. The key differences:

Feature	Home Care Packages (old)	Support at Home (new)
Levels	4 fixed levels	8 classification levels
Clinical care	Came from your package budget	Fully government funded (0% contribution)
Home modifications	From package budget (limited)	Separate AT-HM scheme (up to $15,000/year)
Assessment	Separate ACAT and RAS	Single Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT)
Fee structure	Flat daily fee + income-tested fee	3 categories with means-tested contributions
Admin fees	Separate, often 25-40%	10% care management built in; separate entry and exit fees are banned
Unspent funds	Accumulated with provider	Roll over up to $1,000 or 10% per quarter
Price transparency	Provider-set, often opaque	Government price caps were scheduled for 1 July 2026 but have been deferred, with no confirmed new date

If you had a Home Care Package, you were automatically transitioned. Your funding was mapped to a Support at Home classification that maintains at least the same level of support.

The Three Service Categories

Support at Home splits services into three categories, each with different contribution rates:

Clinical Care (0% contribution, fully government funded) Nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, dietetics, podiatry, and other allied health services. Fully funded regardless of your income or assets. From 1 October 2026, personal care (showering, dressing, grooming, non-clinical continence, eating, hygiene, and help self-administering medication) moves into clinical supports and is fully government funded. Until 1 October 2026 contributions applied to personal care; from then it is fully government funded.

Independence Services (5% to 50% contribution) Transport, social support, respite care, assistive technology, and therapeutic services. Full pensioners pay 5%. Self-funded retirees without a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card pay up to 50%.

Everyday Living Services (17.5% to 80% contribution) Cleaning, gardening, meal preparation, laundry, shopping, and home maintenance. Full pensioners pay 17.5%. Self-funded retirees without a CSHC pay up to 80%.

Income Group	Clinical	Independence	Everyday Living
Full Pensioner	0%	5%	17.5%
Part Pensioner	0%	5%-50%	17.5%-80%
Self-funded (with CSHC)	0%	5%-50%	17.5%-80%
Self-funded (no CSHC)	0%	50%	80%

There is a lifetime contribution cap of $137,917.01 (current as at 20 March 2026, indexed twice yearly on 20 March and 20 September). A 4-year cap on non-clinical care contributions applies alongside the lifetime cap. People who were on, or approved for, a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024 have a grandfathered lifetime cap of $84,571.66.

The 8 Classification Levels

Your classification determines your total funding budget. Budgets are released quarterly and indexed each July.

Classification	Quarterly Budget	Annual Budget
Level 1 (very low needs)	$2,683	$10,732
Level 2 (low needs)	$4,008	$16,035
Level 3 (low-moderate)	$5,491	$21,966
Level 4 (moderate)	$7,424	$29,696
Level 5 (moderate-high)	$9,924	$39,697
Level 6 (high needs)	$12,028	$48,113
Level 7 (very high)	$14,536	$58,147
Level 8 (highest/complex)	$19,526	$78,106

10% of each quarterly budget is deducted for care management. Unspent funds roll over up to $1,000 or 10% of the quarterly budget (whichever is greater).

To see how your classification level and means-tested contributions translate into real numbers, estimate your Support at Home budget and contributions before you choose a provider.

How to Get Started

1. Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au
2. Complete an assessment through the Single Assessment System
3. Receive your classification letter confirming your level and funding
4. Choose a provider through Carevo to manage your budget and deliver your care
5. Start receiving services with a care plan tailored to your goals

What to Look for in a Support at Home Provider

Not all providers deliver the same value from your funding. When comparing providers in Australia, ask about:

• Administration fees. What percentage of your budget goes to management vs actual care? Low-fee providers keep this under 20%.
• Care management. Is a dedicated care manager included, or charged separately?
• Clinical services. Can the provider deliver nursing and allied health directly, or do they subcontract? Direct delivery is usually more efficient.
• Flexibility. Can you change your services easily as your needs change? Some providers lock you into rigid care plans.
• Reporting. How often will you see a clear breakdown of spending vs remaining budget?
• Exit fees. What does it cost if you want to switch providers? The best providers charge nothing.

Already on a Home Care Package?

If you were transitioned from a Home Care Package to Support at Home, your existing provider should have updated your agreement and care plan. If you have not received updated documentation, contact your provider directly.

This is also a good time to review whether your current provider is the right fit under the new system. Under Support at Home, you can still switch providers at any time. Your unspent funds follow you.

If Your Assessment Seems Wrong

The Independent Assessment Tool (IAT) has faced criticism for underestimating care needs. If you believe your classification does not reflect your actual situation:

1. Request a reassessment through My Aged Care on 1800 200 422
2. Contact the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) on 1800 700 600 for free advocacy support
3. Document your daily care needs for at least two weeks before the reassessment
4. Ask your GP for a letter outlining your medical conditions and functional limitations

You do not need to accept a classification that does not match your reality.

Get matched with Support at Home providers in Australia

Related Guides

• Support at Home Program Complete Guide
• Support at Home Classification Levels 1-3
• Support at Home Demand Report: provider supply and demand in Australia
• Home Care Package Providers in Australia
• Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) Providers in Australia
• Aged Care Services in Australia