How older Australians and family carers can compare home care services, the new Support at Home program and in-home disability support, and choose options that keep independence at home.
The short answer:
In-home aged care lets older Australians receive support ranging from help with cleaning and cooking to personal care, nursing and allied health, while continuing to live in their own home. Since 1 November 2025, most government-funded home care is delivered through the new Support at Home program, which replaced Home Care Packages. You apply through My Aged Care, are assessed and approved at one of eight funding levels, then choose a registered provider. What you pay depends on the type of service and an income and assets assessment.
What is in-home aged care?
In-home aged care is support that helps older Australians keep living in their own home instead of moving into residential aged care. It covers everyday help (cleaning, cooking, shopping), personal care (showering, dressing, mobility), clinical care (nursing, physiotherapy, podiatry), and practical extras like transport, social support, home modifications and assistive technology.
The idea is simple: most people would rather grow older in the home and community they know. In-home care makes that possible by bringing the right help to the person, rather than moving the person to the help. For some, that means a few hours of domestic assistance a week. For others, it means daily personal care and regular nursing visits.
In-home aged care is sometimes called home care services, aged care services at home, elderly care at home or simply “care at home”. Whatever the label, the goal is the same: supporting independence, safety and quality of life in a familiar setting.
What types of in-home aged care services are available?
In-home services fall into three broad groups: everyday living support, independence support, and clinical care. Most people use a mix, and the right combination changes over time as needs change.
Everyday living support
- Domestic help: cleaning, laundry, changing linen and light home maintenance.
- Meals and shopping: meal preparation, grocery shopping and help with nutrition.
- Transport: getting to appointments, shops and social activities.
- Social support: companionship, outings and staying connected to the community.
Independence support
- Personal care: help with showering, dressing, grooming and moving around safely.
- Allied health and therapy: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, dietetics, speech pathology, exercise and falls prevention.
- Assistive technology: mobility aids, personal alarms and equipment that supports daily life.
- Home modifications: grab rails, ramps and bathroom changes that make the home safer.
Clinical care
- Nursing: wound care, medication support, continence care and chronic condition management.
- Care management: a coordinator who organises services and adjusts the plan as needs change.
- Specialist support: including dementia care, palliative care and end-of-life care at home.
The Australian aged care system today: Support at Home
From 1 November 2025, in-home aged care is delivered through the Support at Home program, introduced under the new Aged Care Act. It replaced Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care, and it changes how funding is set, how much people contribute, and how budgets are managed.
If you have read about the aged care reforms or the Royal Commission, this is the practical result. Here is what changed and what it means for families.
- Eight funding levels. Instead of four Home Care Package levels, there are now eight ongoing classification levels, so funding can be matched more closely to a person’s needs.
- Quarterly budgets. Funding is provided as a budget you draw on for approved services, with the ability to carry over a portion of unspent funds.
- A defined service list. Services are grouped into clinical care, independence and everyday living, which is why the categories above matter for what you pay.
- Separate equipment funding. An Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme provides dedicated funding for items like ramps, rails and mobility aids, separate from your ongoing budget.
- Short-term pathways. A Restorative Care Pathway helps people regain independence after a setback such as a fall or hospital stay, and an end-of-life pathway supports staying at home.
- A “no worse off” guarantee. People who were receiving, or approved for, a Home Care Package before the changes are protected so they do not pay more than they would have under the old rules.
The entry-level Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), which provides lower-intensity help such as basic domestic assistance, continues to operate separately and is now expected to transition into Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027, so older Australians may still hear that name during the transition.
Verify the current figures. Because Support at Home only began on 1 November 2025, the funding levels and government contribution rules are reviewed periodically. Always confirm the latest amounts with My Aged Care before making decisions.
What changed from Home Care Packages?
Support at Home replaced Home Care Packages, the previous model for government funded home care. The biggest changes are more funding levels, budgets that reset each quarter rather than each year, and a shift from a single income-tested fee to participant contributions that depend on the type of service.
If you or a family member were on a Home Care Package, the “no worse off” guarantee means your contributions should not rise because of the switch. Here is how the old and new systems compare at a glance.
Home Care Packages compared with the Support at Home program.
| Old system (Home Care Packages) | New system (Support at Home) |
|---|---|
| 4 package levels | 8 classification levels |
| Annual budget | Quarterly budget |
| Single income-tested fee | Service-based participant contribution |
| Equipment funded from your package | Separate assistive technology and home modifications funding |
| Home Care Package (HCP) | Support at Home |
How do I access in-home aged care?
You access in-home aged care through My Aged Care. The process is: check eligibility, request an aged care assessment, complete the assessment, receive your approval and funding level, choose a registered provider, then start services.
- Check that you’re eligible
In-home aged care is generally for people aged 65 and over (50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people). Younger people with a disability are usually supported through the NDIS instead. - Contact My Aged Care
Call 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au to register and explain the kind of help you or your family member needs. - Have an assessment
A government assessor talks with you, usually at home, about your health, daily life and goals to work out the right level of support. - Receive approval and a funding level
You’re approved for services and assigned a Support at Home classification level with a budget. Depending on demand and your assessed needs, there may be a waiting period before funding becomes available, so it helps to begin your aged care assessment early. - Choose a registered provider
You select an approved provider to deliver your services. This is where you compare quality, approach, availability and fees. - Start your services
You agree a plan and your support begins, with a care manager adjusting it as your needs change over time.
How much does in-home aged care cost in 2026?
Under Support at Home, the government funds the majority of care, and what you pay depends on the type of service and an income and assets assessment. Clinical care, such as nursing and allied health, is fully funded for everyone. For independence and everyday living services, you may pay a contribution: full pensioners pay the least, and self-funded retirees pay more.
The principle is that the more clinical and health-related a service is, the more the government pays. The more it resembles general everyday assistance you might otherwise pay for yourself, like cleaning or meals, the larger your personal contribution. This income and assets assessment sets your rate, and a lifetime cap limits the total you can be asked to contribute.
- Clinical care: fully government funded, regardless of means.
- Independence services: government funded in large part, with a contribution based on your income and assets assessment.
- Everyday living services: the highest personal contribution, again based on an income and assets assessment.
The Australian Government has also announced further contribution changes from October 2026, when some personal care services such as help with showering, dressing and continence support are scheduled to become fully government funded. If you’re planning care later in the year, it’s worth checking the latest rules.
Get a personal estimate. The exact amounts, daily caps and the lifetime contribution cap are set nationally and change over time. For figures specific to your situation, ask My Aged Care for an income and assets assessment and ask any provider for a clear, itemised breakdown of fees before you sign.
In-home care vs residential aged care
In-home care brings support to a person in their own home; residential aged care provides accommodation and around-the-clock care in a facility. Many families use in-home care for as long as possible, moving to residential care only when needs can no longer be safely met at home.
A side-by-side comparison of the two main aged care options.
| In-home aged care | Residential aged care | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you live | Your own home and community | An aged care facility |
| Independence | High: you keep your routines and surroundings | Lower: life is shaped by the facility |
| Care intensity | Scheduled visits, scaling up over time | 24-hour care and supervision on site |
| Best suited to | People who are safe at home with the right support | People with high or complex needs |
| Funding | Support at Home program | Residential aged care funding |
In-home disability support and the NDIS
In-home disability support helps people with a disability live independently at home. For Australians under 65 with a permanent and significant disability, this support is usually funded through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) rather than the aged care system.
The day-to-day support can look very similar to aged care: personal care, help around the home, community access and therapy. The main difference is the funding system and who it is for. As a guide:
- NDIS supports people under 65 with permanent, significant disability, funding everything from daily personal care to capacity-building therapies.
- Aged care (Support at Home) supports people aged 65 and over (50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).
- People already on the NDIS when they turn 65 can generally choose to stay with it rather than move across to aged care.
Aged care vs NDIS at a glance.
| Support at Home (aged care) | NDIS (disability support) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Aged 65+ (50+ for First Nations people) | Under 65 with permanent significant disability |
| Apply through | My Aged Care · 1800 200 422 | NDIS · 1800 800 110 |
| Funding basis | Classification level & budget | Individual NDIS plan |
| Typical support | Personal care, nursing, domestic help | Personal care, community access, therapy |
How to choose an in-home care provider in Sydney
Choose a home care provider that is registered for the services you need, keeps your carers consistent, is transparent about fees, and actively supports your independence. In a large city like Sydney, also weigh availability across your suburbs, cultural and language match, and how quickly they can start.
Once you have a funding level, you control who delivers your care. A few questions cut through the marketing:
- Are you registered for these services? Confirm the provider can deliver exactly what’s in your plan.
- Will I see the same carers? Continuity matters enormously for trust, safety and comfort.
- How are your fees structured? Ask for an itemised breakdown, including any care-management and administration costs.
- How do you support independence? The best providers help people keep doing what they can, rather than doing everything for them.
- Can you cover my area, reliably? In Sydney, check coverage across the suburbs you and family members live in.
- Do you match language and culture? Care feels very different when it’s delivered in a person’s own language and traditions.
Why an independence-first approach matters
The strongest in-home care does more than complete tasks; it helps the person stay capable, engaged and in control of their own day. An independence-first approach focuses on what someone can do and builds around it, which supports confidence, dignity and wellbeing at home.
This is the heart of the Montessori approach to ageing and dementia care: meaningful activity, real choice, and an environment set up so a person can succeed at everyday things on their own terms. Rather than stepping in to do everything, carers create the conditions for the person to keep participating in their own life. For families weighing up options, it’s worth asking any provider not just what they’ll do, but how, because that “how” is what people live with every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in-home aged care?
In-home aged care is support that helps older Australians keep living in their own home instead of moving into residential care. It can include help with cleaning, cooking and shopping, personal care such as showering and dressing, nursing and allied health, transport, social support and home modifications.
How do I access in-home aged care in Australia?
Start by contacting My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or at myagedcare.gov.au to check eligibility and request an assessment. An assessor visits to understand your needs, you are approved at a Support at Home classification level, and you then choose a registered provider to deliver services within your budget.
How much does in-home aged care cost in 2026?
Under the Support at Home program, clinical care such as nursing and allied health is fully funded for everyone. For independence and everyday living services you may pay a contribution based on an income and assets assessment, so full pensioners pay the least and self-funded retirees pay more. A lifetime cap limits total contributions. Confirm current figures with My Aged Care, as rates are set by the government and reviewed regularly.
What is the Support at Home program?
Support at Home is the Australian Government program that, from 1 November 2025, replaced Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care. It funds in-home aged care across eight classification levels with quarterly budgets, plus separate funding for assistive technology and home modifications. Existing Home Care Package recipients are protected by a “no worse off” guarantee.
What’s the difference between in-home aged care and in-home disability support?
In-home aged care is funded through the aged care system for people aged 65 and over (50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people). In-home disability support is usually funded through the NDIS for people under 65 who have a permanent and significant disability. Both can provide similar day-to-day support at home.
Can I stay in my own home as I get older?
Yes. Most older Australians can remain at home with the right combination of in-home support, home modifications and assistive technology. The aged care system is designed to help people stay home for longer, and many providers focus on building independence rather than simply doing tasks for the person.
How do I choose an in-home aged care provider in Sydney?
Check that the provider is registered to deliver the services you need, ask how they keep carers consistent, look for a clear and itemised breakdown of fees, and ask how they support independence rather than doing everything for you. In Sydney, also consider availability across your suburbs, cultural and language match, and how quickly they can start.
Talk to a team that puts independence first
Montessori Care provides in-home aged care and disability support across Sydney, built around what each person can do, not just what they need help with. If you’re weighing up options for yourself or a loved one, we’re happy to talk it through.
