Support at Home services: what’s included and what’s not

Support at Home services: what’s included and what’s not

Key Points

• The Support at Home program helps older Australians stay safe and independent at home
• Services are grouped into clinical supports, independence services and everyday living
• Some everyday costs, like groceries, rent and bills, are not included
• Personal care will move to clinical supports from October 2026
• Understanding your rights can help you make informed choices about your care

Summary

The Support at Home program provides services to help older Australians live safely and independently at home. This guide explains what is included, what is not covered, and how the service list is structured across clinical supports, independence services and everyday living.

Outline

• Introduction
• What is the Support at Home program?
• Support at Home service list at a glance
• Clinical supports: what’s included and what’s not
• Independence services: what’s included and what’s not
• Everyday living: what’s included and what’s not
• Understanding your rights
• How Kirinari can help

Introduction

The Support at Home program is designed to help older Australians live safely and independently at home.

It brings in-home aged care services together under one program. This can make it easier to understand what support is available and how it fits your needs.

Understanding what is included, and what is not, can help you plan your care with more confidence.

What is the Support at Home program?

The Support at Home program provides funding for services that help you stay well, safe and independent at home.

Your services are based on your needs, goals and care plan. This means your support should be tailored to your daily life, not treated as one-size-fits-all.

The new aged care system also places more focus on rights, choice and safe care. This means older people should have a say in the services they use, how they access them and who provides them.

Support at Home service list at a glance

The Support at Home service list is grouped into three main contribution categories:

• clinical supports
• independence services
• everyday living

Across these categories, the service list includes 14 service types and 49 services.

Each service type explains what is in scope and what is out of scope. This helps you understand what may be funded and what you may need to pay for yourself.

Clinical supports: what’s included and what’s not

Clinical supports are services that help maintain or improve your health, function and wellbeing.

These may include:

• nursing care
• allied health and therapy
• nutrition support
• restorative care management

These services must be delivered or supervised by trained health professionals where required.

Clinical support may include help with wound care, medication support, continence care, allied health treatment, care planning and service coordination.

They do not usually include services that are better funded through another system, such as hospital care, medical treatment, dental care or some specialist health services.

From October 2026, personal care will move from the independence category to the clinical supports category. This means approved personal care services, such as help with showering, dressing and non-clinical continence support, can be delivered with no out-of-pocket cost where funding is available.

Independence services: what’s included and what’s not

Independence services help you manage daily life and stay connected to your community.

These may include:

• personal care
• social support
• community engagement
• cultural support
• digital support
• transport
• respite
• assistive technology
• home modifications

These services can help with everyday activities such as attending appointments, staying socially connected, using technology, accessing the community and maintaining independence.

Some costs are not included. This may include activity fees, tickets, accommodation, membership fees, car costs, licence costs, public transport fares or holiday travel.

Everyday living: what’s included and what’s not

Everyday living services help keep your home safe, clean and liveable.

These may include:

• domestic assistance
• laundry
• shopping assistance
• light gardening
• minor home maintenance
• meal preparation
• meal delivery

For example, domestic assistance may include light cleaning, washing dishes, laundry or accompanied shopping.

Home maintenance may include light gardening or small repairs that help keep your home safe. Meals may include support to prepare food at home or access pre-prepared meals.

The program does not cover general living expenses. This can include:

• rent or mortgage payments
• utility bills
• groceries and ingredients
• takeaway food delivery
• pet care
• professional cleaning or gardening that would usually be paid for privately

Understanding your rights

Under the new Aged Care Act, older people have rights when accessing aged care services.

These include the right to:

• make decisions about your care
• receive safe and quality services
• be treated with dignity and respect
• access information in a way you understand
• raise concerns or make a complaint without fear
• stay connected to important people, pets, culture and community

You also have the right to understand what your services cost and how your care is delivered.

If you have a concern, you can speak with your provider. You can also ask a family member, supporter or advocate to help you raise your concern.

How Kirinari can help

At Kirinari, we support you to understand your options and get the most from your Support at Home plan.

We can help you:

• understand what services may be available
• build a care plan around your needs
• explain what may be covered and what you may need to pay
• coordinate services over time
• adjust support as your needs change
• stay independent and safe at home

You can learn more about in-home aged care services at Kirinari here.

Or get in touch with our team to discuss your options.