Most older people want to stay home. Good help makes that possible. Canberra families have a clear path, and it starts with Support at Home. The program began on 1 November 2025 and replaced the old Home Care Packages. Here is what every family should know about home care services in Canberra. You get one of 8 funding levels. Your budget arrives in four parts every year. A skilled worker will come to see you – perhaps for a shower, a meal, a ride to the shops, or just a quick health check. Families get more say. Older people keep their routines. That is the goal.
What Is Support at Home and How Do You Start?
Support at Home is the Australian Government program that will pay for assistance at your house. You start this process by phoning My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. They book an assessment. Afterwards, you get a letter with your funding level and a support plan. Hand that plan to your provider and visits can begin. A care partner then plans the visits and reviews your care plan. Canberra has good reason to care about this. In 1998, 7. 8% of Canberrans were aged 65 or older. By 2018, this number had increased to 12. 7%. In 2023 it finally reached 13. 7% – or 63,847 people. That’s quite a few neighbors who might really need our assistance.
How Should You Prepare for the Assessment?
Take a family member along with you and create a brief list of your daily challenges. Consider stairs, showers, meals, medications – even just getting out. Really be truthful about each and every day – not simply your most successful ones. Assessors construct your support plan based on all that you share with them. An accurate image will give you a plan that fits perfectly.
Which Services Can Home Care Cover?
Home care covers daily help, getting around and health care.
- Personal care, like showering and dressing
- Meals, shopping and cleaning
- Rides to appointments and social outings
- Nursing visits and allied health, such as physio
- Rails, ramps and other equipment
My advice: ask for a mix. A little of each beats a lot of one. Your provider can change the mix any time.
How Does the Money Work?
Your yearly budget is paid in four quarterly parts. The level you get runs from 1 for lighter needs to 8 for high, complex needs. Unspent money can roll over, up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget, whichever is greater. Your provider sets aside 10% of each quarterly budget for care management, and it must deliver at least one care management activity a month. Some costs are shared. Nursing and physio are fully government funded. Personal care costs a moderate share. Cleaning and gardening cost the biggest share. Full pensioners pay the least. If you had a Home Care Package, or approval for one, on or before 12 September 2024, you pay the same or less than before.
What Short-Term Help Can You Add?
Support at Home offers 3 short-term pathways on top of ongoing care.
| Pathway | Time | Money |
|---|---|---|
| Restorative care | Up to 16 weeks | $6,000 for allied health or nursing |
| End-of-life care | 12 weeks of funding, 16 weeks to use it | $25,000 |
| Equipment and home changes | As assessed | Up to $15,000 at the top tier |
Restorative care helps people rebuild daily skills and may delay the need for higher care. Equipment comes in three tiers: under $500, up to $2,000 and up to $15,000. You do not need to save from your quarterly budget to get these items. Carers need breaks too. Residential respite gives up to 63 subsidised days a year. In an emergency, call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.
