Comprehensive In-Home Aged Care
Support at Home is the Australian Government's new in-home aged care program that replaced Home Care Packages from 1 November 2025. Designed to be more flexible and responsive to your needs, Support at Home helps older people remain independent at home with the right level of support.
What's New in Support at Home?
- NO Waiting List: Start services immediately after your assessment and approval
- 8 Classifications: More precise funding levels instead of the previous 4 HCP levels
- Quarterly Budgets: Fresh budget every 3 months with ability to carry over unused funds
- Flexible Service Mix: Change your services anytime within your budget
- Free Clinical Care: Nursing and allied health services fully government-funded (0% contribution)
- Short-Term Pathways: Additional support for restorative care, assistive technology, and end-of-life
Why Support at Home Works for You
No Waiting List
One of the biggest improvements: start services immediately after your assessment and approval. No more waiting months or years for care to begin. Get the support you need when you need it.
8 Classifications
More precise funding levels based on your assessed needs. From basic support (Classification 1) to maximum comprehensive care (Classification 8), ensuring you get the right level of funding.
Flexible & Responsive
Change your service mix anytime within your budget. Quarterly budget cycles with the ability to carry over unused funds. Request re-assessment if your needs change.
Free Clinical Care
All clinical care services including nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and allied health are fully government-funded. You pay 0% contribution for essential health services.
Fair Contributions
Contribution rates vary by service type and your means test. Full pensioners pay the lowest rates (0-17.5%), while clinical care is always free for everyone.
Stay at Home Longer
Access to assistive technology, home modifications, restorative care, and end-of-life pathways helps you remain safely at home for as long as possible.
8 Classifications of Support at Home
Support at Home uses 8 classifications instead of the previous 4 Home Care Package levels. This provides more precise funding tailored to your specific needs. Your classification is determined during your aged care assessment.
Basic to Low-Moderate Support
For those needing help with everyday living tasks like cleaning, shopping, and meal preparation. Social support and light personal care also available. Ideal for maintaining independence with basic assistance.
Moderate to High Support
Includes all basic services plus clinical care (nursing, allied health), personal care, and more intensive support. Suitable for managing health conditions and requiring regular clinical monitoring.
Very High to Maximum Support
Comprehensive clinical care with 24/7 care coordination access. For those with complex health needs requiring extensive nursing, allied health, personal care, and everyday living support.
No Worse Off Guarantee
If you received a Home Care Package before 12 September 2024, you'll maintain the same or better funding under Support at Home. HCP Level 2 → Classification 4, Level 3 → Classification 6, Level 4 → Classification 8.
Three Service Categories
All Support at Home services fall into one of three categories, each with different contribution rates based on your income and assets (means test). This ensures essential health care remains accessible while everyday services have moderate contributions.
Clinical Care
Contribution: 0% - Fully Government-Funded
All clinical care services are completely free, regardless of your financial situation:
- Registered nursing care
- Allied health (physio, OT, dietitian)
- Medication management
- Wound care & continence care
- Chronic disease management
Independence Support
Contribution: 5-50% depending on means test
Services that help you maintain independence and stay out of hospital:
- Personal care (showering, dressing)
- Transport services
- Social support & companionship
- Respite care
- Mobility assistance
Everyday Living
Contribution: 17.5-80% depending on means test
General household support services to keep your home clean and comfortable:
- Domestic assistance (cleaning)
- Meal preparation & cooking
- Laundry & ironing
- Shopping assistance
- Light gardening & yard work
Understanding Your Contributions
Your contribution rate is determined by an income and asset assessment (like the age pension means test):
- Full Pensioners: Pay the lowest rates - 0% for clinical care, 5% for independence support, 17.5% for everyday living
- Part Pensioners/CSHC Holders: Rates vary between 5-50% (independence) and 17.5-80% (everyday living) based on your means test
- Self-Funded Retirees: 0% for clinical care, 50% for independence support, 80% for everyday living
Use the Support at Home fee estimator to understand what your contributions might be: MyAgedCare.gov.au/support-at-home#fee-estimator
Three Short-Term Pathways
In addition to ongoing services, Support at Home includes three specialized short-term pathways that provide intensive, time-limited support for specific situations. These can be accessed alone or in addition to your ongoing classification.
Restorative Care Pathway
Help regain independence through intensive allied health services
- Up to 16 weeks of intensive support
- Additional budget of $6,000-$12,000
- Multidisciplinary allied health team
- Goal-focused therapy to improve function
- Can reduce ongoing care needs
Ideal for: Recovery after hospitalization, managing new conditions, improving mobility, preventing falls
Assistive Technology & Home Modifications
Products, equipment, and home modifications to support independence
- Up to $15,000 for home modifications
- Up to $15,000+ for assistive technology
- Equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, beds
- Modifications like ramps, rails, bathroom changes
- 12 months to use funding
Funding Tiers: Low (up to $500), Medium (up to $2,000), High (up to $15,000+)
End-of-Life Pathway
Dedicated funding to remain at home with dignity in your last months
- Up to $25,000 over 12 weeks
- 16 weeks to use funds (for flexibility)
- Urgent access to higher funding
- Available for those with 3 months or less to live
- Complements state/territory palliative services
Can be accessed even if not currently a Support at Home participant
How to Access Support at Home
Getting started with Support at Home is straightforward. From initial contact to receiving services, the process is designed to be simple and stress-free.
Step 1
Contact My Aged Care
Call 1800 200 422 or visit MyAgedCare.gov.au to register and have initial screening
Step 2
Aged Care Assessment
Assessor visits your home to discuss your needs and determine your classification
Step 3
Receive Approval
Get your Notice of Decision with your classification and quarterly budget
Step 4
Start Services
Choose RusCare and begin receiving support immediately - no waiting list!
How Quarterly Budgets Work
Support at Home operates on quarterly (3-monthly) budget cycles instead of annual budgets. This provides more flexibility and regular opportunities to adjust your services.
Every 3 Months
You receive your full budget allocation every quarter based on your classification. This regular cycle ensures you always have funds available for the services you need.
Change Anytime
Request changes to your service mix at any time within your budget. Need more cleaning and less shopping? Just let your provider know and adjust your care plan.
Carry Over Funds
Unused funds up to $1,000 or 10% (whichever is greater) can be carried over to the next quarter. This provides flexibility without losing your allocated budget.
Care Management: 10% of Your Budget
10% of your quarterly budget goes to care management, which includes:
- Developing and reviewing your care plan with you
- Coordinating all your services and providers
- Regular check-ins and monitoring of your needs
- Budget management and reporting
- Communication with your GP and health professionals
- Quality assurance and problem-solving
This 10% is the same whether you self-manage some services or not, ensuring you always have professional support and coordination.
Ready to Learn More About Support at Home?
Our experienced team at RusCare can guide you through the Support at Home program and help you understand which classification and services would best meet your needs. With nearly 70 years serving Melbourne's Russian-Australian community, we're here to support you every step of the way.
Why Choose RusCare for Support at Home
For nearly 70 years, RusCare has been Victoria's trusted provider of culturally sensitive aged care services to the Russian-Australian community. Our deep understanding of Russian language, culture, and traditions makes us uniquely qualified to deliver Support at Home services that truly meet your needs.
70 Years of Experience
Established in 1955, we bring decades of expertise in aged care and a deep understanding of the Russian-Australian community's unique needs and cultural values.
Bilingual Russian-English Staff
Our care workers, nurses, and coordinators speak Russian fluently. Communicate in your preferred language and feel understood at every stage of your care.
Cultural Sensitivity
We respect Orthodox Christian traditions, understand Russian cuisine preferences, and honor the cultural values that matter to you and your family.
No Waiting List
Under Support at Home, start services immediately after your assessment and approval. Get the care you need when you need it, not months later.
Comprehensive Services
From domestic assistance to clinical nursing, we provide the full spectrum of Support at Home services - all coordinated through one trusted provider.
Family-Centered Approach
We involve your family in care planning and decision-making, respecting the important role family plays in Russian culture and aged care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Home Care Packages?
The Home Care Packages (HCP) Program was replaced by Support at Home from 1 November 2025. If you were receiving a Home Care Package, you automatically moved to Support at Home with the same level of funding (HCP Level 2 → Classification 4, Level 3 → Classification 6, Level 4 → Classification 8). The "No Worse Off" guarantee ensures you're not disadvantaged by the transition.
Is there really no waiting list?
Correct! One of the biggest improvements in Support at Home is the elimination of the national waiting list. Under the previous Home Care Packages Program, thousands of people waited months or even years for a package. Now, once you're assessed and approved, you can start services immediately by choosing your provider (like RusCare). This means you get the support you need when you need it.
How much will I have to contribute?
Contributions vary by service type and your means test:
- Clinical Care: 0% - Completely free for everyone (nursing, allied health)
- Independence Support: 5-50% based on your income and assets (personal care, transport)
- Everyday Living: 17.5-80% based on your income and assets (cleaning, shopping)
Full pensioners pay the lowest rates. Use the fee estimator at MyAgedCare.gov.au to understand your specific contributions.
Start Your Support at Home Journey with RusCare
With nearly 70 years of experience serving Melbourne's Russian-Australian community, RusCare understands your cultural background, speaks your language, and delivers world-class aged care with dignity and respect. Let us guide you through the Support at Home program and help you access the services you need to live independently at home for longer.
