Support at Home is the in-home aged care program run by the Australian Government. Commencing on November 1st, 2025, it replaces the Home Care Packages and Short‑Term Restorative Care programs, providing government-subsidised in-home support for older Australians. There are 8 classification levels. Annual funding starts at $11,010 for Level 1 and $80,137 for Level 8. Funding is paid quarterly with additional means-tested income and asset-based client contributions.

Aunty Grace is a registered Support at Home service provider across Melbourne and regional Victoria, including Geelong, Mornington Peninsula, and Gippsland. We’re also a proud member of Ageing Australia, the national peak body representing aged care providers and related services.

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Support at Home introduction

From 1 November 2025, Support at Home replaced the current Home Care Package program, it has brought a more flexible and tailored approach to in-home care. This long-awaited change has been designed to improve how care is delivered, ensuring older Australians receive the right support when they need it.

At Aunty Grace, we’re your expert care partner in navigating these changes. With our deep understanding of home care and a commitment to making things simple, we’ll ensure you receive the best possible services and support under Support at Home.

If you're looking for a provider who will make sure you get the most from your available government funds and deliver the support you truly need, now is the time to switch to Aunty Grace.

Making the most of your Support at Home funding

Under Support at Home, your government funding is received quarterly and available at the start of each quarter. However, at the end of each quarter, the maximum amount of unspent funds that can be rolled over is the greater of $1,000 or 10% of the quarter’s subsidy. 

At Aunty Grace, we take the stress out of budgeting and managing your funding, ensuring you receive the best care with ease. Our expert Care Partners will help you make the most of your funding, ensuring you get the services and support you need to maximise your Support at Home funding. When you join the Aunty Grace family, we take out the hassle so you can focus on what truly matters.

Support at Home funding has eight classification levels ranging from basic care needs (Level 1: $11,010 a year or $2,753 a quarter) to very high, complex care needs (Level 8: $80,137 a year or $20,034 a quarter) with funding paid quarterly. Each level corresponds to a different level of in-home care needs from light domestic assistance to intensive care and palliative support.

Classification	Description	Common Services Used	Quarterly Budget	Annual Budget
Level 1	Basic care needs	Light-touch support to help you stay independent. This might include help with light cleaning, unaccompanied shopping, simple meal prep, and regular wellbeing check-ins.	$2,753	$11,010
Level 2	Low care needs	Low support needs across daily tasks and home upkeep. Common services include domestic assistance, meal delivery, social visits, and transport to appointments.	$4,113	$16,451
Level 3	Low – intermediate care needs	Some help with personal care and managing everyday activities. You might receive support with showering, dressing, cleaning, meal prep, and community access.	$5,634	$22,537
Level 4	Intermediate care needs	Regular personal care and some clinical services. Services may include bathing, mobility assistance, medication prompts, wound care, and allied health visits.	$7,617	$30,469
Level 5	Moderate – high care needs	High-level personal care and more frequent clinical input. Support could include continence management, transfers, home modifications, and regular nurse visits.	$10,182	$40,730
Level 6	High care needs	Regular nursing care and ongoing support across multiple areas. This might involve nursing, physiotherapy, care coordination, and support for chronic conditions.	$12,341	$49,365
Level 7	Very high care needs	Significant nursing support plus tailored allied health services. Services often include complex wound care, medication management, therapy, and falls prevention.	$14,915	$59,660
Level 8	Very high/complex care needs	Intensive care needs that require daily or frequent clinical services. Support may include high-touch nursing, dementia or palliative care, specialist equipment, and frequent case management.	$20,034	$80,137

Whether you’re starting out or already funded, we’ll guide you every step the Aunty Grace way.

START MY SUPPORT AT HOME JOURNEY

Service Pricing

Simple, Transparent, and Great Value 

At Aunty Grace, we believe quality care should be clear, fair, and easy to understand. That’s why our pricing is designed to be competitive and to help you get the very most from your government funding.

Under the Support at Home program, all costs—including administration, labour, and transport—are built into the price of each service. This means no surprises or hidden fees, just straightforward pricing that reflects the true value of the care and support you receive.

Care Management: 10% of your Support at Home Ongoing Services Funding

Care Management is a set part of your Support at Home funding, designed to ensure you get the best care and support.

Aunty Grace uses these funds to provide expert guidance, connect you with trusted services, and keep your care plan up to date—helping you make the most of your funding and receive the care you need.

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Transparent, all-inclusive pricing designed to give you peace-of-mind and help you get the most from your funding.

Support at Home service pricing is set by category. Clinical supports (nursing, allied health) are charged at $200-$235 an hour, independence services (personal and therapeutic care, assisted transport) at $118-$235 an hour, everyday living services (domestic assistance, shopping, garden care) at $118 an hour with some items billed by quote or at cost plus 12.5%.

Clinical Support Services	Most Common
Nursing	$200 / hr
Allied health (Including physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, psychology, and speech pathology)	$235 / hr

Independence service	Most Common
Personal & respite care	$118 / hr
Therapeutic services (Including acupuncture, chiropractor, osteopathy, and massage)	$235 / hr
Assisted transport	$118 / hr
Transport (Taxi & Rideshare)	Charged at cost (ex. GST) + 12.5%

Everyday Living Services	Most Common
Domestic assistance (Including cleaning and other household duties)	$118 /hr
Shopping assistance	$118 / hr
Garden maintenance	$118 / hr
Meals delivered	Charged at cost (ex. GST) + 12.5%
Home maintenance and repairs (Including handyman, gutter cleaning or trade)	Pricing by assessment – Quoted

Disclaimer
All pricing is reflective of services delivered in standard hours (Aunty Grace operates Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm). This schedule of fees is correct as of July 2026 and is subject to change at any time. Aunty Grace determines the prices for all services, equipment and products provided as part of your Support at Home package through Aunty Grace, inclusive of the procurement, organisation, and delivery of these services/items.

Transparent, all-inclusive pricing designed to give you peace of mind and help you get the most from your funding.

Support at Home services performed outside of regular working hours attract additional loadings and fees varying from 1.5 times the rate for weekends and after hours to double rates for public holidays. Group class bookings also attract a 25% loading, and care workers may charge $1.60 per kilometre in travel charges over and above the standard service fee.

Detail
Weekend & after hours services	A 1.5× loading applies to our standard rates.
Public holidays	A 2× public holiday loading applies to our standard rates.
Group class bookings	Group Class Bookings charged at cost (ex. GST) + 25%.
Additional travel charges (Transportation in the care of a worker)	A per-kilometre charge of $1.60 may be added to the cost of the advertised service (e.g. assisted transport, shopping assistance)

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Making contributions

Your care, your contribution

Your contributions go directly toward the services you use, helping you get the most out of your home care while maximising government support. The government provides funding based on your needs, and with your contributions, it means you can access even more care and services to better support you living happy and healthy at home. 

You’ll only ever pay for the services you receive. There are no extra fees or charges beyond what is needed to cover your care. Even if you contribute, the government still covers a portion of the costs, ensuring you get the best value from your funding. Note that you’ll pay no out-of-pocket contributions on clinical supports! This includes any nursing, physiotherapy and other clinical services through your Support at Home funding.

Support at Home client contributions vary by service and funding category with clinical support services provided free of charge across all contribution categories. Full pensioners pay 5% for Independence services, and 17.5% for Everyday Living services; part pensioners and self‑funded clients with a CHSC pay 5 - 50% (Independence) and 17.5 - 80% (Everyday Living); and self‑funded and means not disclosed pay 50% (Independence) and 80% (Everyday Living).

Below is a breakdown of how these contributions work:

Type	Clinical Supports	Independence	Everyday Living
Full pensioner	0%	5%	17.5%
Part pensioner and self-funded CHSC	0%	5% to 50%*	17.5% to 80%*
Self-funded & means not disclosed	0%	50%	80%
Participants on a Grandfathered Arrangement	See breakdown of details in below section

*Contributions will be applied on a tapered rate based on the participant’s income and assets assessment

Participants on a Grandfathered Arrangement
Grandfathered HCP recipients are those who, on the 12th of September 2024, were either receiving a Home Care Package, on the National Priority System, or assessed as eligible for a package.

Previous HCP recipients who were not required to pay an income-tested care fee will continue to make no contributions under Support at Home. This includes all grandfathered full-rate pensioners.
Previous HCP recipients who were required to pay an income-tested care fee will transition to Support at Home with discounted contribution arrangements.

Grandfathered Support at Home participants have fixed contribution settings. Clinical support services are provided free of charge across all contribution categories with full pensioners also not required to pay for Independence and Everyday Living services; part pensioners and self‑funded CHSC clients contribute 0 - 25% (Independence and Everyday Living), and self‑funded and means not disclosed pay 25% (Independence and Everyday Living).

Type (Grandfathered Only)

Clinical Supports

Independence

Everyday Living

Full pensioner

Part pensioner and self-funded CHSC

0% to 25%*

Self-funded & means not disclosed

25%

*Contributions will be applied on a tapered rate based on the participant’s income and assets assessment

Accessing extra help and funding

Did you know there’s extra help available beyond your standard Support at Home budgets?
In certain situations, you may be eligible for additional funding to help you stay safe, comfortable, and independent at home. These funding types are separate from your regular Support at Home budget and need to be accessed individually based on your needs. When you're with Aunty Grace, your dedicated care partner will be there to help you apply and access these funds when required.

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The AT-HM Scheme is here to help you live safely and comfortably at home. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive funding for assistive technology, home modifications, or both—giving you the support you need to stay independent.

This funding is available for 12 months, and you may be asked to contribute towards some costs. If you haven’t accessed this funding before or aren’t yet approved, we’ll help you get assessed.

Support at Home provides three tiers of additional flexible time‑limited short‑term support funding with 12 months of allocated use time. The Low tier provides $513, Medium tier $2,052, and the High tier $15,390.

Tiers	Funding
Low	✅ $513 funding available ✅ 12 months allocated to expend funding
Medium	✅ $2,052 funding available ✅ 12 months allocated to expend funding
High	✅ $15,390* funding available ✅ 12 months allocated to expend funding

***Higher amounts for AT/HM may be approved with prescription.
Depending on the type of support or equipment, there may be contributions payable. This will vary based on the product and where it fits within the contribution categories. For more details, check out our helpful section on contributions.

Restorative care and palliative care are extra funding options available when you need a little more support.

Support at Home has two short‑term care pathways. The Restorative Care Pathway provides approximately $6,167 over six weeks, increasing to $12,335 when eligible; the End‑of‑Life Pathway provides approximately $25,686 over twelve weeks.

Care Pathway

Funding

Restorative Care Pathway
Focused support to help you stay independent for longer.

Approximately $6,167 (6 weeks)
May be increased to $12,335 when eligible

End-Of-Life Pathway
Extra care and comfort at home when it matters most.

Approximately $25,686 (12 weeks)

Frequently asked questions

Support at Home can feel like a lot to take in, particularly when it comes to funding, contributions and understanding the services available to you. At Aunty Grace, we’re here to make things clearer, help you understand your options and ensure your care continues to meet your needs.

Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about Support at Home. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, give our friendly team a call and we’ll be happy to talk it through.

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Support at Home is the Australian Government’s new in-home aged care program. The program commenced on 1 November 2025 and helps older Australians receive practical services and personal support so they can continue living independently in their own homes for longer. There are 8 classification levels, and depending on your needs, the Support at Home program can assist with light cleaning, simple meal preparation, transport to appointments, allied health services, and home modifications. Aunty Grace can help you understand how Support at Home works and the services available for your classification level.

The Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-term Restorative Care Programme. The new model of care package is designed to make access to care simpler, while providing funding that better suits your individual needs. The services remain similar to the Home Care Package, but the way the funding and support is delivered has changed. If you are unsure how the change from the Home Care Package to the Support at Home program affects you, Aunty Grace can help you understand the new program and explain your options.

The total government subsidy allocated to each Support at Home participant ranges from $11,010 to $80,137 annually depending on your classification level. All costs, including administration, labour and transport, are built into the price of each service. While many clinical services are fully government funded, some independence and everyday living services may require a contribution based on your income and assets assessment. Any contribution you pay goes directly towards the services you use, which help you get the most from your home care providers while maximising the available government support. Because understanding the costs can feel confusing, Aunty Grace can explain fees clearly, helping you make informed decisions.

The eight funding levels have been set to better match the level of care and support each person needs. Level one starts with basic care to help you stay independent. This might include light cleaning, simple meal prep or regular wellbeing checks. Level eight is for those who need the highest level of funding and includes intensive daily care, frequent clinical services such as dementia and palliative care, specialist equipment, or high-touch nursing. Your funding level is determined via an aged care assessment that considers individual circumstances. Do you need help understanding your assessment? Aunty Grace can explain your assessment outcome and the support you have available.

To be eligible for Support at Home funding, you need to be 65 or older (or 50 or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), an Australian resident or living in Australia with an eligible visa or residency status, and require physical or clinical help with everyday tasks to live safely in your home. You must also complete an aged care assessment, which will determine your program level. Your eligibility is based on your care needs rather than your income alone. Aunty Grace can help you understand the assessment process and your next steps.

Support at Home can cover a range of services that can help you remain independent at home. These services include domestic assistance, home maintenance and repairs, meals and meal preparation, social support and community engagement, transport, care management, personal care, allied health supports, nursing care, assistive technology, nutrition support and home or general community respite care. The services you can receive depend on your assessed needs and your personal care plan. Aunty Grace works with you to create tailored support that helps you stay comfortable and independent at home.

If you are unhappy with your current provider, or want a different approach to your care, you can change your Support at Home provider, and it should be a smooth process. To switch your provider, you need to first find a new provider and agree on an exit date with your current provider. You will then need to contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to update your referral and have your remaining budget transferred to your new provider. Your older provider cannot charge an exit fee. Aunty Grace can help you with every step involved in changing providers, ensuring a straightforward process.

If you were already approved for Home Care services after September 12 2024, you are a transition client and will retain any existing Home Care funding balance accumulated prior to the changeover, as well as retaining the same level of funding until you are reassessed. Grandfathered clients (those receiving or approved for Home Care services before September 12 2024) will continue into Support at Home and retain any existing Home Care funding balance, have discounted or no out-of-pocket contributions and stay on your existing Home Care Package level until reassessment. Confused about the transition? Aunty Grace can explain exactly how the transition applies to your individual situation.

Better care and Support at Home, wherever you live!

Every person’s Support at Home journey is different, which is why we take the time to understand what matters most to you. Whether you live in Melbourne or elsewhere across Victoria, we'll work with you to create a personalised plan that supports your independence, wellbeing and confidence to continue living safely and comfortably at home.

With a trusted network of experienced carers, nurses, allied health professionals and support workers across Melbourne and regional Victoria, we can connect you with the right people for your needs. As your goals change over time, your support can too, ensuring you continue to receive the right care, at the right time.

As a registered Support at Home provider and proud member of Ageing Australia, we’re committed to delivering trusted, high-quality care that helps older Australians live independently at home.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"My grandparents have been with Aunty Grace for a couple of years now, and the support has always been excellent. With all the recent changes to the Support at Home program, we expected the process to be stressful and confusing, but it couldn't have been easier. A special thank you to our Care Partner, Kaz, who kept us informed every step of the way and made sure everything was handled smoothly. From organising physiotherapy to cleaning and gardening services, everything has been seamless. The communication, professionalism and genuine care from the whole team have been outstanding, and they've truly taken the stress out of navigating Support at Home. We couldn't be happier with the support my grandparents receive. Highly recommend."

Matthew Campisi

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"I had a wonderful experience with Aunty Grace. The support services were very good and just when my husband needed it. Their staff have bee attentive, responsive, and caring. I highly appreciate their care, dedication and quality of services provided."

Myrna Standeven

Find out where you fit within Support at Home

Whether you're just getting started and applying with My Aged Care or already have a Home Care Package, you could fall into one of several categories under the updated Support at Home program. To make it easy, we’ve outlined the different pathways below. Click on the option that best matches your situation to learn more — and remember, Aunty Grace is here ready to help you understand your choices and guide you every step of the way.

Discover where you fit in with the new Support at Home program.

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You have been approved for Home Care… or you are just getting started!

You'll begin your care journey with the updated Support at Home program. Whether you're just starting to explore your options or waiting to be allocated a package, Aunty Grace is here to guide you every step of the way and help you get the support you need.

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These are participants who were approved for Home Care services after 12 September 2024 and were allocated and commenced services prior to the Support at Home program changeover on 1 November 2025. Clients in this group will commence under Support at Home with the same rules as new clients, including those for participant contributions. However, transition clients will retain any existing Home Care funding balance they have accumulated prior to the changeover as well as retain their same level of funding until they are reassessed.  

Aunty Grace will ensure a smooth transition, making sure you understand your new care options and how they align with your needs.

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As a client who was approved or receiving Home Care services before 12 September 2024, you’re continuing into Support at Home under the government’s ‘no worse off’ principle. This means you will retain any existing Home Care funding balance, will have discounted or no out-of-pocket contributions and stay on your existing Home Care Package level until you are reassessed.

Aunty Grace is here to ensure you continue receiving the highest level of support and make sure you understand your options under the Support at Home program.

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If you've been assessed or have started the process but aren't sure where you fit in, Aunty Grace is here to help. We’ll help clarify where you stand under the new Support at Home program and ensure you understand your options. No matter where you fit in, we’re dedicated to helping you make the most of your government funding and maximising your care and support.

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