How to access in-home aged care services in Australia

Am I eligible for in-home aged care services?

To access government-funded in-home and flexible aged care services, older individuals must undergo a needs assessment through My Aged Care - a federal government service that provides a single, streamlined pathway to determine eligibility for these programs.

To assist you with the cost of aged care, the Australian Government is subsidising in-home care support services fees. Eligible seniors may access government aged care funding assistance in order for you to you get the appropriate care you require.

To be eligible for government-funded aged care services, you need to fulfil one of the following criteria:

• People over the age of 65
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 50
• People over the age of 50 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless

Avoid waiting until a health situation triggers the need for aged care services immediately as it can take several weeks or months to receive services. Contact My Aged Care to get onto the assessment register even if you don’t require any services at the moment. It’s all about preventative health care.

How to apply for government-funded in-home aged care services?

Step 1

Get assessed by My Aged Care. You can choose to apply for an assessment online or you can ring 1800 200 422 to speak to their centre staff.

integratedliving can assist you with your application as well. Our friendly team will walk you through the process and talk to you about your needs and circumstances and provide useful advice to help get you get started.

Step 2

If you are assessed to be eligible for government-funded services, you will be assigned a funding package. There are three types three main types of government-funded aged care packages in Australia, these are:

1. Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)

   CHSP helps older Australians access entry-level support services to live independently and safely at home, including allied health services, help at home, nursing care, social and respite services. 

2. Support at Home

   The Support at Home program is part of the government's aged care reforms to simplify care for older Australians. It replaced the Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-term Restorative Care (STRC) Program on 1 November 2025. There are eight levels of funding, ranging from $11,000 up to $78,000 per year. Following assessment, individuals seeking care are assigned a funding level annually through the Support at Home Priority System, which matches services to their specific needs.

   The Support at Home program is designed to make it easier to maintain your independent lifestyle at your home. Three categories of service types are:
   
   - Clinical Services (such as allied health and nursing),
   - Independence Services (such as help with showering or taking medications) and 
   - Everyday Living Services (such as cleaning and gardening).

   If you were approved for aged care funding after 12 September 2024, you will contribute to the cost of your independence and everyday living services. The government will subsidise most of the cost and your contribution will depend on your pension status and financial situation (like income and assets), which will be assessed by Services Australia. We can help you understand how co-contributions may affect you. 

3. Restorative Care Pathway (RCP)

   This program replaces the Short-Term Restorative Care Program (STRC) and offers participants up to 16 weeks of intensive allied health and nursing support. Access to the Restorative Care Pathway is determined through an assessment.
   
   Individuals who are approved will receive $6,000 in funding to support intensive allied health and nursing services aimed at improving function and promoting long-term independence.

4. Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM)

   The AT-HM scheme provides Support at Home participants with access to assistive technology and home modifications tailored to their assessed needs. Participants are not required to save funds from their Support at Home quarterly budget. Assessors may approve participants for an assistive technology funding tier (up to $15,000), a home modifications funding tier (up to $15,000), or both.

   The AT-HM list details the products, equipment and home modifications available through the scheme.

Step 3

Once you know what type of funding you’ve been allocated, the next step is to arrange your services. You can choose from any provider you are comfortable with and who meets your needs. Here are some tips for selecting a provider:

• Contact a wide selection of providers to get a better comparison.
• Have a checklist.
• Ensure you know your rights a as consumer of Australian Government-funded care providers.
• Have a good understanding of the Aged Care Quality Standards. These standards represent how the aged care industry is regulated and they will help you understand your rights as an older person.
• Understand any out-of-pocket costs you need to pay for services.

Providers such as integratedliving operate on an open-disclosure policy and we will help you understand all the fees and any additional costs. If you are worried that you cannot afford your in-home care, contact us on 1300 782 896 to discuss how you can apply for financial hardship assistance.

Step 4

Once you have chosen your provider, set up your services. If you are allocated Support at Home fundng, you will receive a care plan that outlines the services you need, when will they be delivered, the frequency of delivery and the fees involved.

If you select integratedliving as your preferred in-home aged care service provider, we will work closely with you to develop your care plan and determine the services you want and need. We can also assist with managing your allocated funding package to ensure you maximise the benefits from the package.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to our friendly staff if you have any questions about accessing in-home aged care services.