Choosing how to manage your home care is one of the most important decisions you will make as you get older.
The Support at Home program launched on 1 November 2025, replacing the old Home Care Packages system with something simpler and more flexible.
It gives you real control over how your care is organised. But with more control comes more responsibility, and the right approach depends entirely on your situation.
This guide helps you work out whether self-management is the right fit, and what to look for when choosing a provider.
- Support at Home launched 1 November 2025, replacing Home Care Packages. It funds everything from personal care and nursing to home modifications, across 8 funding classifications ($11k to $78k annually).
- Self-management means directing your own care (choosing workers, scheduling services), but you still need a registered provider and a care partner. Your provider remains legally responsible for all services.
- 10% of your quarterly budget goes to care management, regardless of how much you self-manage. This is fixed under the new program.
- Self-management suits people who are organised, have support from family, and want a consistent worker they already trust. It is harder to sustain if your care needs are complex or increasing.
- When choosing a provider, prioritise staff consistency, transparent pricing, clinical capacity, cultural fit, and a responsive complaints process.
- You can switch providers at any time if your current one is not working for you.
What Is Support at Home?
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Support at Home is the Australian Government’s in-home aged care program, governed by the Aged Care Act 2024.
It funds a broad range of services so older Australians can remain safely and independently at home, including personal care, domestic assistance, nursing, allied health, assistive technology, and home modifications.
After an aged care assessment, you are assigned one of eight funding classifications with an annual budget. Budgets are managed quarterly, and unspent funds carry over up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly allocation. Importantly, clinical care (nursing and certain allied health) is fully government-funded with no out-of-pocket cost to you.
Everyday living and independence services require a contribution based on your income and assets.
The program uses a single provider model: one registered organisation is responsible for coordinating all your services, including care management. You choose your provider after receiving your funding allocation letter, and must sign a service agreement and begin services within 56 days.
What Does Self-Management Actually Mean?
Self-management is a popular option, but it is often misunderstood. Here is a plain-English breakdown:
| Self-management IS | Self-management IS NOT |
|---|---|
| Choosing specific workers (with provider approval) | Hiring workers independently without oversight |
| Directing your own schedule and service mix | Operating without a registered provider |
| Using trusted third-party workers (e.g. your own cleaner) | Bypassing compliance or screening requirements |
| Staying actively involved in care planning decisions | Negotiating rates outside the approved pricing framework |
Even in a fully self-managed arrangement, your registered provider remains legally responsible for your safety and the quality of your care. A care partner still checks in with you at least monthly. And that 10% care management allocation comes out of your quarterly budget regardless.
Is Self-Management Right for You?
Here are some considerations to help you decide if self-management is right for you.
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1. Your health and cognitive capacity
Self-management involves consistent attention to scheduling, records, and budgets. If you are living with dementia, Parkinson’s, or another progressive condition, a fully managed model will likely serve you better, especially as care needs grow.
2. Your support network
Many people self-manage successfully because a family member or trusted friend handles the administrative side. If you have that support, self-management is very achievable. If you are managing entirely alone, weigh the organisational demands honestly.
3. Your comfort with paperwork
From November 2025, self-managed participants must keep detailed records of every service, collect invoices, and report spending through the Support at Home digital system. If that sounds like a burden rather than a benefit, a care-managed provider arrangement is the simpler path.
4. The 10% care management fee
This is fixed for everyone, not negotiable. Ten percent of your quarterly budget is allocated to care management whether you self-manage or not. On the upside, it is transparent and predictable, unlike the variable fees under the old Home Care Packages system.
5. Your location
Participants in regional or remote areas often get the most from self-management because local provider rosters can be thin. If you have a trusted local worker and want continuity, self-management lets you keep that person (subject to provider approval). Metropolitan participants generally have more provider-managed options available.
6. Consistency of workers
This is the most common reason people explore self-management: they want to keep a carer they already know and trust. That is entirely legitimate. Your provider must agree to engage the worker and ensure they meet screening and registration requirements, but the arrangement is possible.
- Can I reliably track monthly spending and keep service records?
- Do I have someone to help with administration if I need it?
- Am I comfortable using the Support at Home digital reporting system?
- Is my health condition likely to stay stable, or become more complex?
- Do I have a specific worker I want to retain?
How to Choose the Right Provider
Under the single provider model, your chosen organisation handles everything: services, care management, assistive technology, and home modifications. Choosing well matters. You can compare registered providers on the My Aged Care website and check compliance history through the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
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When you meet with shortlisted providers, ask these questions.
About services and self-management
- Do you deliver all the services listed in my support plan? Not every provider offers every service. Confirm before committing.
- Do you support self-managed arrangements? Ask how they handle third-party worker requests and what records they require from you.
- Do you have registered nurses or allied health professionals available? Essential if your needs include clinical care now or in the future.
About staff and continuity
- Will I see the same care worker regularly? Ask about rostering policy and what happens when your usual worker is unavailable.
- How are workers screened? All Support at Home workers must hold a valid police certificate or NDIS Worker Screening Clearance. Ask what else the provider requires.
- What is your after-hours and emergency process? Find out if there is an on-call number and how urgent situations are escalated.
About costs
- What are your prices for each service type? All registered providers must publish prices on My Aged Care. Until 1 July 2026, providers set their own prices; government price caps apply from that date. See our Support at Home pricing guide for more detail.
- Are there exit fees? These must be disclosed in your service agreement. Ask upfront.
- How will you help me manage my quarterly budget? Look for providers who give you clear, regular statements and flag when you are approaching your quarterly limit.
About cultural fit and complaints
- Do you have carers who speak my language or understand my background? Cultural safety is a right under the Aged Care Act 2024.
- How do you handle complaints? Every registered provider must have a formal process. Ask about resolution timeframes.
Why Families Choose Homage
Homage is a registered aged care and NDIS provider operating across Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth.
We pair you with qualified carers and registered nurses who fit your life, offering in-home aged care, nursing care, personal care, and NDIS support, with 3-hour urgent fulfilment when you need it most.
Whether you want full care management or a self-managed arrangement, our care partners work with you to build a plan that genuinely fits your life.
Book a Free Consultation — call Homage on 1300 705 029 or visit homage.com.au/get-free-consult
Provider Comparison Checklist
| Area | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Registration | Confirmed on My Aged Care; no active non-compliance notices |
| Services | Delivers everything in your support plan; supports self-management if needed |
| Staff consistency | Policy of consistent worker allocation; clear cover arrangements |
| Clinical capacity | RNs and allied health available; clear escalation protocols |
| Pricing | Prices published on My Aged Care; all fees in service agreement |
| Budget management | Regular statements; proactive alerts before quarterly funds run low |
| Cultural fit | Workers available who match your language or cultural background |
| Complaints | Documented process with clear response timeframes |
| Emergency response | After-hours contact; clear health emergency escalation path |
| Reviews | Positive My Aged Care ratings; willing to share references |
How to Access Support at Home
| Step | Action | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check your eligibility | You need to be 65 or older (50+ for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) and need support to remain at home. Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or use their online checker. |
| 2 | Get an aged care assessment | A qualified assessor visits your home to understand your needs and goals. The assessment usually takes one to three hours. |
| 3 | Receive your Notice of Decision | This outlines your funding classification (1 to 8) and approved services. |
| 4 | Wait for your funding allocation letter | Priority order is urgent, high, medium, then standard. Your letter confirms when funding is ready. |
| 5 | Choose a registered provider | Compare options on My Aged Care. You have 56 days to sign a service agreement and start. |
| 6 | Build your care plan | Work with your care partner to set up an individualised plan and quarterly budget. Raise self-management preferences at this stage. |
| 7 | Review as your needs change | You can request a Support Plan Review at any time, and switch providers whenever you like. |
Can You Switch Providers?
Yes, at any time. Notify your current provider in writing, arrange a transfer of unspent funds, and enter a service agreement with your new provider.
Your funding classification travels with you. Check your service agreement for any exit fees before starting the process, and confirm your new provider can begin promptly to avoid a gap in care. Speak to Homage if you are considering switching — we can help make the transition straightforward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which service helps older Australians live independently at home?
Support at Home is the primary government-funded program, launched 1 November 2025. It replaced the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) continues to provide entry-level support until it transitions to Support at Home, no earlier than 1 July 2027. Both are accessed through My Aged Care (1800 200 422).
What matters most when choosing a home care provider?
The things older Australians consistently prioritise are consistency (seeing the same worker so you can build trust), transparent pricing (no surprises in your quarterly statement), responsiveness (after-hours support and fast adaptation when your needs change), cultural safety (access to carers who understand your background and language), and clinical capability (the ability to scale up care without having to switch providers).
What is Support at Home in Australia?
It is the Australian Government’s in-home aged care program, introduced on 1 November 2025 under the Aged Care Act 2024. It funds personal care, domestic assistance, nursing, allied health, assistive technology, and home modifications for older Australians who want to remain living at home. Participants are assigned one of eight funding classifications with annual budgets from $11,000 to $78,000. Access is through My Aged Care.
What are the three types of aged care services in Australia?
The Australian Government recognises three main categories: in-home care (support delivered in your own home through programs like Support at Home and CHSP), residential aged care (full-time care in an aged care home for people who can no longer live independently), and flexible care (short-term or specialist support, including respite care, transition care, and programs for specific communities).
Who is eligible for home care in Australia?
To access Support at Home, you generally need to be 65 or older (or 50 or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people), have an assessed need for support at home, and be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Eligibility is confirmed through an aged care assessment arranged through My Aged Care. See our guide to My Aged Care for a step-by-step walkthrough.
What are the five types of care?
In an aged care context, five broad types are commonly referenced: personal care (help with bathing, dressing, grooming, and mobility), clinical care (nursing, wound management, medication support, and allied health such as physio or OT), domestic assistance (cleaning, laundry, shopping, and meal preparation), restorative and short-term care (time-limited support to regain function after illness or hospitalisation), and residential and respite care (care in an aged care facility, either permanently or for short-term relief for carers).
How long can you live in supported accommodation?
For residential aged care (nursing homes), there is no fixed time limit. Residents may stay permanently for as long as they need full-time care and cannot be asked to leave without due process under the Aged Care Act 2024. For Support at Home participants, government-funded in-home support continues as long as you remain eligible and your needs can be safely managed at home. There is no fixed end date. If your needs grow beyond what can safely be supported at home, an assessment may recommend a move to residential care.
References
Show references
- Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. (2025). About the Support at Home program. https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home/about
- Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. (2025). How the Support at Home program works. https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home/about/how-the-support-at-home-program-works
- Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. (2025). Services under Support at Home. https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home/delivering-services-for-support-at-home/services-under-support-at-home
- Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. (2025). Self-management by Support at Home participants. https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home/delivering-services-for-support-at-home/self-management-by-support-at-home-participants
- Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. (2025). Types of aged care services. https://www.health.gov.au/topics/aged-care/providing-aged-care-services/types-of-services
- My Aged Care. (2025). Support at Home program. Australian Government. https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/aged-care-programs/support-at-home-program
- My Aged Care. (2025). Types of care. Australian Government. https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/types-care
- Aged Care Decisions. (2025, December 9). How will Support at Home affect self-managed home care? https://agedcaredecisions.com.au/support-at-home-self-managed-home-care-changes/
- Aged Care Decisions. (2025). Support at Home program: Everything you need to know. https://agedcaredecisions.com.au/homecare/support-at-home/
- Aged Care Essentials. (2025). Support at Home program: What aged care providers need to know before 1 November 2025. https://www.agedcareessentials.com.au/news/aged-care-essentials-support-at-home-program
- Careabout. (2026, February 10). Self-managed care: How to take control of your Support at Home. https://www.careabout.com.au/support-at-home-self-managed-care
- Homecare My Way. (2025, November 12). Understanding self-management in Support at Home. https://www.homecaremyway.com.au/blog/how-will-self-management-work-in-support-at-home/
- Aged Care Online. (2025, August). Top 10 questions to ask when interviewing a home care provider. https://agedcareonline.com.au/2025/08/Top-10-Questions-to-Ask-When-Interviewing-a-Home-Care-Provider
- The CareSide. (2025). Questions to ask home care providers. https://www.thecareside.com.au/post/questions-to-ask-home-care-providers/
- Five Good Friends. (2025, November 6). How to choose a home care provider. https://www.fivegoodfriends.com.au/blog/how-to-choose-a-home-care-provider
- GIHC. (2025, November 20). Support at Home program: Self-management from 1 Nov 2025. https://gihc.com.au/2025/09/08/support-at-home-program-self-management-from-1-nov-2025
