Support at Home

How to Apply for the Support At Home Program?

If you have not yet applied for Support at Home, here's exactly how the process works, from checking your eligibility through to choosing a provider.

Step 1 – Check Your Eligibility

Before diving into the paperwork, let's ensure you qualify. Generally, you are eligible for Support at Home if you are:

• 65 years or older (or 50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).
• Living at home (not in residential aged care).
• An Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• Finding daily tasks difficult due to ageing or health conditions.

It's a common myth that your finances affect eligibility. In reality, your financial situation only determines how much you might contribute to your care; the program itself is based entirely on your need for support.

Step 2 – Register with My Aged Care

The first formal step is getting into the system by registering with My Aged Care. You can do this in three ways:

• Online: Visit myagedcare.gov.au (the fastest way).
• Phone: Call 1800 200 422 (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 10am–2pm).
• In-Person: At select Services Australia centres.

Ideally Tip: Have your Medicare card ready. If you're calling on behalf of a parent or loved one, they will need to be with you to give their verbal consent, or you can be registered as their official representative beforehand.

Step 3 – The Assessment Process

Once registered, you'll be referred for an assessment through the Single Assessment System. An assessor from the My Aged Care team will contact you to visit your home, usually within a few weeks.

This is a great opportunity because the assessor can see your actual living environment and understand where a handrail, a meal service, or a weekly cleaning visit would help most.

Step 4 – What to Consider for Your Assessment

Preparation is key to ensuring you get the right level of funding. During your appointment, it is generally helpful to:

• Be 100% honest: This isn't the time for stoicism. If you struggle to hang out the laundry or get into the shower, say so.
• If friends or family are already doing some things for you – like transport, cleaning or shopping assistance – explain that you DO need help with those things. Professional assistance through Support at Home will allow your friends and family to do fun things with you and enjoy your company.
• Keep a diary: For three days before the visit, jot down every time you felt tired, unsteady, or needed help.
• List your goals: Do you want to keep attending your local bowls club? Do you want to stay in your garden? Your funding is there to help you reach these goals.
• Have a support person: Whether it's a daughter, son, or a trusted friend, having someone there can help you remember details and feel more comfortable.

Step 5 – After Approval: Finding Your Funding Level

If approved, you'll receive a Notice of Decision outlining your funding classification (one of eight levels — see Budgets below). While you wait for your funding to be assigned, you might be eligible for immediate, entry-level help through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).

Step 6 – Choosing a Partner (Why Local Providers Matter)

Once your support funding is approved and ready to go, we can talk in more detail about your specific care needs and how we can support you. At Ideally Home Care, we do things differently from the big national providers:

• We are Northern Rivers locals: We live and work in your community, from Grafton to Tweed Heads, including Lismore and the hinterland. We understand country living.
• The same friendly face: We prioritise staff matching. We pair you with a carer who shares your interests, ensuring you look forward to every visit.
• You set the clock: Our scheduling is client-controlled. If you want your shower at 8:00 AM, that's when we'll be there.
• A family touch: As a family-owned business, we treat our clients like our own kin. We aren't about 'tasks', we're about relationships.