Support at Home that puts you first

Older man and woman jogging together outdoors in a park

Stay in your own home, in your own way, with support that feels personal rather than clinical. Our Support at Home services combine personalised aged care and practical home support, helping you stay safe and enjoy life in the home you know and love.

All care. All heart.

At Chris Barnard Health, caring is not just what we do, it is who we are.

Support at Home offers personalised aged care services for older Australians who want to live safely and independently at home. This can include personal care, nursing care, allied health, social support or a helping hand around the house.

If you’re 65 or older, you may be eligible for the Support at Home program. An aged care assessment looks at the support you need and the funding classification that applies to you.

At Chris Barnard Health, we bring together more than 15 years of healthcare experience with a personal approach. One of the things that sets us apart is our people: we’re one of the largest in-house care workforces in Victoria, so your care comes from people we’ve trained and supported ourselves, not agency staff who come and go. Our friendly team works with you, your family and your care partner to deliver quality care that feels personal, respectful and consistent.

Whether you need ongoing home support or a little extra help as your needs change, our goal is simple: to help you remain independent and live well at home.

What is Support at Home?

Support at Home is Australia's government-funded in-home aged care program. It began on 1 November 2025, replacing the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme.

The Support at Home program helps eligible older Australians receive the right services to live safely and independently in their own home. Your support is tailored to your assessed needs and can include personal care, nursing and clinical care, domestic help, transport, social support, allied health and home modifications.

An aged care assessment determines your support needs and funding classification. There are eight funding classifications, based on the type and amount of care you need.

Your care plan sets out your needs, preferences and goals, while your chosen Support at Home provider coordinates service delivery and arranges the approved services that support your daily living and independence.

From Home Care Packages to Support at Home

The Support at Home program replaced the previous Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care arrangements from 1 November 2025.

This new home program brings a more structured approach to funding and service delivery, with the same focus on helping older Australians get support in their own home.

If you were already receiving Home Care Packages before the change, you may have transitioned to Support at Home at the applicable funding level.

For people entering the aged care system now, the process usually starts with an assessment through My Aged Care. Once you have confirmation of your eligibility and funding, you can choose a Support at Home provider to deliver your approved services.

Our Support at Home Services

Support at Home can provide a wide range of home services, depending on your assessment, care plan and approved funding. At Chris Barnard Health, our service offering covers personal care, home and garden maintenance, health needs, independence and the practical day-to-day support that keeps life running smoothly, including specialised services for more complex needs. Either way, the goal is to help you live independently, your way.

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Personal Care

Physiotherapist helping an older person with mobility and movement exercises

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Physiotherapy

Occupational therapist helping an older person maintain independence at home

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Occupational Therapy

Podiatrist providing foot care to an older person at home

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Podiatry

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Nursing Care

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Social Support

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In-Home Respite

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Domestic Assistance

Care worker preparing a meal for an older person at home

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Meal Preparation

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Light Gardening

Care worker helping an older person with shopping at a supermarket

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Shopping Assistance

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Home Modification

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Massage

How it works

Getting Started

Getting started with Support at Home is straightforward: we look at your care needs and eligibility, then help you choose a provider and build a personalised care plan.

Step 1: Get assessed

Start by applying through My Aged Care and completing an assessment with the Aged Care Single Assessment Service. The assessment looks at the support you need and helps determine whether you’re eligible for Support at Home. You’ll receive a letter confirming your eligibility and, where applicable, your funding classification. Planning ahead can also help your family prepare for future care needs.

Step 2: Choose a Provider

Once your Support at Home funding is approved, you can choose a provider to deliver your approved services. You have 56 days to choose a provider after funding approval, with an extra 28 days available if needed. When choosing a home support provider, think about their experience, staff qualifications, communication, service offering, fees and ability to provide the services you need. Your services are accessed through your chosen provider, so it’s worth picking a provider you feel comfortable with.

Step 3: Personalised Plan

Once you choose Chris Barnard Health, our team gets to know your goals, preferences and support needs. Your Care Partner helps develop and monitor a personalised care plan and coordinates your services, with monthly check-ins to adjust support as needed. Before services begin, a service agreement should clearly set out what you’ll receive, responsibilities and costs.

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"I love Chris Barnard Health because it takes the pressure off me."

Angela

Daughter of Current Clients

Two older people standing with a woman and smiling together indoors

Support at Home Funding & Costs

Support at Home funding comes from the Australian Government to help eligible older Australians cover approved aged care services and support services.
There are eight ongoing funding classifications, based on the level of care and support you need following your assessment. Funding is released quarterly according to your classification.
The cost of your care may include the services you choose, such as personal care or home modifications, plus care management and package management costs. Your provider should explain these costs clearly and show you how your funding is being used.
Clinical care services under Support at Home are fully government-funded. Depending on your circumstances, you may still need a co-contribution towards some services, depending on your financial situation.

Package Management

Package management covers the administration behind your funding, including financial management and reporting requirements to the Australian Government.

Care Management

Care management helps coordinate your care and services around your assessed needs and goals, in line with Australian Government requirements. It weighs up which services best support your quality of life, arranges them, monitors how they’re working, and adjusts as needs change, keeping you informed throughout.

Your Care Partner

A Care Partner is an aged care professional who works alongside you to coordinate and manage your support.

They help organise your services, develop and monitor your care plan, support your wellness and independence, explain your funding, and act as your point of contact whenever your services need to change. At Chris Barnard Health, you’ll typically see the same support worker for around 80% of your visits, so care feels familiar and personal rather than like a rotating door of new faces.

What happens when I need additional support?

Your needs can change over time. Support at Home lets services be planned around your assessed needs, while your provider helps spot when your care plan or service delivery may need a review.

Some people also access support through short-term pathways, including the Restorative Care Pathway and End-of-Life Pathway.

A Restorative Care Pathway offers short-term support focused on helping you maintain or regain independence. An End-of-Life Pathway provides support for people who need end-of-life care at home.

Whatever pathway applies, your provider can help you access the right support services to remain independent for as long as possible.

Our Fees

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Why families trust us

National Reach, Local Heart.

We’re big enough to deliver, small enough to care. We back personalised support with an experienced healthcare organisation, treating every client as an individual.

Our home providers and care professionals take the time to understand what matters to you, communicate clearly and provide the ongoing support that fits your care plan.

We are humans that do things with a human touch.

How we communicate brings our values to life. We believe quality care means more than delivering approved services, it means listening to you, respecting your choices and involving you in decisions about your own care.

Our friendly team aims to make every interaction respectful, personal and genuine.

Experienced, accredited professionals

Every Chris Barnard Health team member goes through recruitment, screening and interviews before joining us, chosen not just for qualifications, but for character.

We’re one of the largest in-house care workforces in Victoria, and our team includes healthcare professionals and specialists who support you across personal care, nursing, allied health and other therapeutic services.

Award Winning Service

Our healthcare expertise and commitment to quality have been recognised through the Australian Achiever Awards, across multiple years running.

FAQs

Let Us Answer Your Questions

What is a Support at Home provider?

A Support at Home provider is an aged care organisation that delivers approved services to eligible people under the Support at Home program.

Your provider coordinates service delivery works with you on your care plan and helps organise the services you need. When choosing a provider, look at their experience, staff qualifications, communication, service offering, fees and ability to meet your needs.

How do I qualify for Support at Home?

The Support at Home program is available to eligible older Australians, generally those aged 65 and over.

You start through My Aged Care and complete an aged care assessment with the Aged Care Single Assessment Service. This assessment helps determine your eligibility, support needs and funding classification.

You’ll then receive confirmation of your eligibility and can choose a provider to deliver your approved services.

How do I choose the best home care package provider?

The best provider isn’t the one with the biggest service offering, it’s the one that’s right for you.

Consider whether the provider can deliver the right aged care services, including specialised care if you require assistance with complex needs, has qualified staff, explains costs, offers a suitable plan, and can provide ongoing support as your needs change. Not all aged care providers or home providers work the same way, so ask questions before you decide.

It’s also worth asking about the provider’s service agreement, care management, response times, and how much notice you’d need if you ever wanted to switch. At Chris Barnard Health, we only ask for two weeks’ notice – we’d rather earn your trust than lock you in.

How do I become a Support at Home provider?

I am still waiting for my funding. Can I get care now?

What is a referral code?

Will I automatically move to Support at Home?

What is the Commonwealth Home Support Programme?

What is the difference between Self-Managed and Fully-Managed services?

Aspect of Service	Provider Managed	Self Managed
A Care Management fee of 10% applies	✔	✔
Service Selection Selecting and coordinating services from a list of established, approved and compliant vendors provided by Chris Barnard Home Care	✔	✖
Ensuring compliance with aged care and quality standards, and obtaining documentation completed by Chris Barnard Home Care	✔	✖
Budget Management & Control Provider manages budget, allocates funds and pays invoices	✔	✖
No invoice processing fee of 10% applies	✔	✖
Care Management Includes the evaluation and assessment of the care and services that will best maintain Client quality of life; setting up, monitoring and adjusting services, and coordinating service provision	✔	✖
Risk Management Provider monitors service quality, incidents and compliance	✔	✖ Provider conducts initial risk assessment & monitors for signs of misuse
Communication Regular contact and reviews of Client, scheduled and managed by Provider	✔	✖ Optional check-ins, Client to initiate & manage contact as needed
Incident Reporting Provider reports incidents as per regulatory requirements	✔	✔
Training and Support All mandatory training managed, delivered and supervised by Provider	✔	✖ Clients receive onboarding & optional support resources
Audit & Oversight Provider subject to full audit of service delivery	✔	✖ Provider must report on self-managed Client outcomes & budget usage

What services can I receive through Support at Home?

Can Support at Home help me stay independent?

Can I receive allied health and therapeutic services at home?

Do I have to use the same provider for all my services?

Book a Free Consultation

Support at Home Starts Here

Not sure which support services you need, or how your Support at Home funding could work for you? Book a free consultation with our friendly team. We'll help you explore your care options and take the next step towards a personalised care plan that helps you live independently and receive support in the home you love.