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Support at Home Service List Simplified (2025) – Easy Guide for Seniors

  • Writer: Shubham Kafle
    Shubham Kafle
  • May 14
  • 9 min read

Updated: Jun 5

Navigating aged care should be empowering, not confusing. So, we’ve created this easy-to-understand version of the official Support at Home Service List, replacing the long-winded PDF with helpful explanations, real-life examples, and quick eligibility checks.


Starting in November 2025, the Support at Home Program is replacing current aged care packages like CHSP (Commonwealth Home Support Program) and HCP (Home Care Packages). It's designed to create a single, simplified system that gives older Australians the help they need to stay safely and independently at home for longer.


This program focuses on giving you more flexibility and choice, letting you decide how and when to use your funding, whether that’s for meals, mobility, nursing, or simple help around the house.  The Services are grouped into clear categories:


  • Clinical and health support

  • Independence

  • Everyday Living


  1. What is the Support at Home Service List?


The Support at Home Service List is your go-to guide for all the types of support you can access under the new system. It’s like a menu of aged care services approved and funded by the government. Replacing the older Home Care Packages services, this streamlined approach removes confusion by combining services into one easy-to-navigate structure.

A. Clinical Support Services

This category includes medical and therapeutic services provided by trained health professionals. These are essential for managing chronic conditions, recovery from illness, or preventing health decline while living at home.


Qualified nurses can visit your home to provide a wide range of health-related care. Services include wound dressing, managing medications, monitoring chronic illnesses, and giving injections. Nurses can also help with clinical continence management and educate you and your carers about how to manage your condition safely at home. These services are particularly useful if you’ve recently been discharged from the hospital or require ongoing health supervision.

What’s Included

Examples

Medication management

Organizing and giving medication

Wound care

Cleaning and dressing wounds

Monitoring health conditions

Diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.


🟢 In Scope: 

Registered/enrolled nurse services, consumables like dressings. Clinical continence support. Allied health therapy from approved professionals


🔴 Out of Scope: 

Hospital visits, palliative care, or mental health crisis support, Ambulance, and emergency room costs


  1. Allied Health & Therapy Services

This covers treatments by professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, psychologists, dietitians, and more. These services aim to help you maintain or regain your physical mobility, communication skills, mental wellbeing, and overall ability to perform daily tasks. For example, a physiotherapist might help strengthen your legs to prevent falls, while a dietitian ensures you're eating in a way that supports your health conditions. Services may be delivered in person or remotely via telehealth.

What’s Included

Examples

Physiotherapy

Exercises, mobility improvement

Occupational Therapy

Home safety assessments, daily living aids

Podiatry

Foot care, nail trimming

Dietitian services

Nutrition planning for special health conditions

🟢 In Scope: 

Rehabilitation and mobility planning. Therapy, education, and planning for recovery

🔴 Out of Scope: 

Private health care services, general GP visits, and Hospital costs


  1. Nutrition Support

For some older Australians, eating properly can become a challenge due to medical conditions like dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), digestive issues, or general loss of appetite. The Support at Home program covers prescribed oral or enteral nutrition supplements, which are medically approved dietary aids provided when standard meals are no longer enough to meet your nutritional needs. This support is only available when a healthcare provider deems it necessary for your health.

What’s Included

Examples

Prescribed nutrition 

Dietitian-approved supplements

🟢 In Scope: 

Clinically prescribed nutrition, Enteral nutrition equipment

🔴 Out of Scope: 

General meal replacements or weight-loss shakes, Takeaway food or groceries for the whole family


  1. Care Management

Care management involves a professional (often a nurse or allied health worker) helping you coordinate your support services. This can include setting up a care plan, making sure services are delivered as needed, monitoring your progress, and adjusting your care if things change. If you’re undergoing restorative care after illness or injury, you’ll have a dedicated restorative care manager to help you through your recovery. The aim is to reduce duplication and ensure all services are working together effectively.

What’s Included

Examples

Assessment & planning

Understanding your needs and setting goals

Ongoing service coordination

Booking services, checking progress

Reviewing care plans

Adjusting services as your needs change

🟢 In Scope:

Care planning, monitoring, and service adjustment, Clinically supervised planning for complex needs

🔴 Out of Scope:

General admin unrelated to aged care (e.g., bill paying), Services funded elsewhere (e.g., hospital discharge)


  1. Restorative care management

Restorative care management provides short-term, intensive support to help older Australians regain skills after illness, injury, or hospital stays. A specially trained care partner works with you to coordinate services like physiotherapy, nutrition, and home modifications aimed at improving your independence. The goal is to boost recovery and reduce long-term care needs, enabling you to return to your regular routines safely and confidently.

What’s Included

Examples

Home support

restorative 

Coordinating transport + meal services

Care Management


Regular care plan check-ins

🟢 In Scope:

Clinical and restorative care planning. Monitoring, adjustment, advocacy

🔴 Out of Scope:

Bill payments or personal finance help


B. Independence & Functional Support

These services make everyday life safer and more manageable. They're not about clinical treatment but helping you stay clean, comfortable, mobile, and in control.


Aged care workers can assist with basic daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, brushing teeth, and using the toilet. They can also help with reminders or preparation for medication intake, and offer assistance with continence management (non-clinical aspects). This kind of help allows you to maintain dignity and personal hygiene even if you’ve lost some mobility or cognitive function. These services help with everyday tasks that keep you clean, comfortable, and safe.

What’s Included

Examples

Showering & Bathing

Assistance with safe showering, sponge baths

Grooming

Hair care, shaving, nail care

Dressing & Undressing

Help with choosing and putting on clothes

Toileting & Continence Support

Incontinence pads, cleaning, and transfers to the toilet

Mobility Assistance

Help with walking, transferring in/out of bed

🟢 In Scope: 

Essential hygiene and medication-related support

🔴 Out of Scope: 

Beauty services like haircuts or waxing


  1.  Social Support & Community Engagement

Being socially active is just as important as physical health. This service supports your participation in community life, whether that’s through attending social groups, religious gatherings, cultural events, or even just catching up with friends. It also includes check-ins via phone, support to access digital platforms like Zoom or Facebook, and help managing your personal affairs. If you identify with a specific cultural background or community, tailored cultural support is also available.

What’s Included

Examples

Individual social visits

Friendly visiting, chatting

Group social activities

Community outings, group events

Companion support

A support worker joins you at events

🟢 In Scope: 

Visiting services, cultural support, tech help

🔴 Out of Scope: 

Buying smartphones, ticket costs, and unrelated digital programs


  1. Therapeutic Services

These are wellness-focused supports like massage (when prescribed), art therapy, or sessions with an acupuncturist or chiropractor. These services aim to support mental wellbeing, alleviate physical discomfort, or help with recreational therapy. For example, a diversional therapist may run structured recreational activities for seniors with memory loss to help maintain cognitive function and social skills.

Service Type

Examples of Support

Remedial Massage

Muscle therapy to relieve pain (when prescribed in a care plan)

Art Therapy

Creative sessions to support emotional health and self-expression

Diversional Therapy

Structured recreation to support memory and social engagement

Acupuncture

Targeted relief for pain, nausea, or arthritis symptoms

Chiropractic Care

Manual therapy to improve spinal alignment and movement

Osteopathy

Whole-body therapy for joint, muscle, and postural issues

🟢 In Scope

Clinically supervised therapy sessions (individual/group)

Approved therapists (must be university-qualified/accredited)

🔴 Out of Scope

General relaxation massage or recreation supplies

Herbal treatments are not backed by medical evidence


Respite care gives your primary carer a short break while making sure you’re still supported. It involves a trained professional stepping in for a few hours, a day, or even multiple days. The service can take place in your home or community setting. This is crucial for preventing caregiver burnout and giving both of you the space to recharge.

What’s Included

Examples

In-home respite care

Short stays with a paid carer at home

Day respite centres

Drop-in centres with activities

Emergency respite

Care during a family crisis

🟢 In Scope:

Short-term supervision and support

🔴 Out of Scope:

Residential respite (separately funded by AN-ACC)


  1. Transport Support

Getting out and about is vital for staying healthy and independent. Transport services ensure you can attend medical appointments, social events, and run errands. It can involve a personal driver, taxi vouchers, or community transport groups. While you can’t claim costs like buying your own vehicle, this service helps remove transport as a barrier to staying active and engaged.

What’s Included

Examples

Transport to appointments

GP, hospital, physio, etc.

Community access

Shopping, visiting family/friends

🟢 In Scope: 

Getting to doctor visits, shopping, and social clubs

🔴 Out of Scope: 

Buying cars, public transport tickets, and holiday trips


  1. Assistive technology and Home modifications 

Sometimes a small change at home can make a big difference. This program funds practical modifications like installing ramps, grab rails, or non-slip flooring. You can also receive assistive devices such as walking frames, shower chairs, or personal alarms. These changes reduce the risk of falls and promote confidence when moving around your home.

What’s Included

Examples

Minor home maintenance

Lightbulb changes, fixing doors

Garden maintenance

Lawn mowing, pruning, weeding

Grab rails, ramps, and non-slip mats

🟢 In Scope:

Equipment prescribed by the care team, Maintenance, and training for tech use

🔴 Out of Scope:

Cosmetic upgrades or DIY gadgets


C. Everyday living  


Support to assist older people to keep their homes in a liveable state in order to enable them to stay independent in their homes.


Support workers can assist with vacuuming, dishwashing, laundry, and light cleaning. Shopping help is also available—either accompanied or done on your behalf. This support ensures your home stays hygienic and livable without you needing to stretch yourself.

What’s Included

Examples

Cleaning

Vacuuming, mopping, and dusting

Laundry

Washing, drying, folding, and ironing clothes

Dishwashing

Washing dishes, putting them away

Bed making

Changing and cleaning bed linens

🟢 In Scope: 

Essential tasks that support your safety and independence

🔴 Out of Scope:

 Dry cleaning, pest control, and pet care


  1. Home maintenance and repairs

Small repairs can have a big impact on home safety, especially as mobility decreases. Home maintenance services under the Support at Home program include essential tasks that reduce fall risks, improve lighting, and maintain accessibility. These tasks are specifically covered when they relate to the safety and functionality of your home, not for decoration or upgrades.

What’s Included

Examples

Home repairs

Replacing lightbulbs or door handles

trimming overgrown branches, mowing the lawn

🟢 In Scope:

Safety-focused repair and maintenance, Minor gardening related to fall prevention

🔴 Out of Scope:

Landscaping, tree removal, or water features, Tasks expected of landlords or covered by insurance


  1. Meals and Food Services

You can receive help preparing meals or have ready-made meals delivered to your home. The service focuses on meals that support health and safety, particularly for those with physical or cognitive difficulties. Costs for groceries and takeaway food aren’t included, but you can receive nutritious meals tailored to your dietary needs.

What’s Included

Examples

Meal preparation

Cooking at home or supporting with cooking

Meal delivery

Ready-made meals delivered to your home

Shopping assistance

Help with grocery shopping

Nutrition planning

Diet plans and special dietary support

🟢 In Scope:

Meal assistance linked to health needs, Pre-packaged meal delivery (individual only)

🔴 Out of Scope:

Takeaway or food for the entire household


Conclusion: Making the Most of Support at Home

Navigating aged care doesn’t need to be complicated. With the Support at Home Program starting in 2025, older Australians now have a clearer path to staying safe and independent in their own homes. Whether you need clinical support, help around the house, or a boost to stay active in your community, this simplified service list empowers you to make confident choices.

Need personalised help applying or choosing services? Talk to our team at MyCompanionship — we're here to walk you through every step.


Additional Resources

For more detailed information, refer to the official documents:


Frequently Asked Questions


Q1: How do I apply for the Support at Home program? 

A: Begin by contacting My Aged Care at 1800 200 422 or visiting their website to arrange an assessment.


Q2: Will I need to pay for services? 

A: Yes, based on your financial situation, you may be required to contribute to the cost of services.


Q3: Can I choose my service providers? 

A: Yes, you have the flexibility to select from approved service providers that meet your needs.


Q4: What happens if my care needs change over time? 

A: Your care plan and budget can be adjusted following a reassessment to accommodate changing needs.


Q5: Are there services for culturally diverse communities? 

A: Yes, the program includes support tailored for culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, including translation services and culturally appropriate care.


 
 
 

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