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