• Support at Home

Support at Home is a government-funded program that helps older people receive the care and services they need to stay safe, independent and well at home.

How to get started using your Support at Home package

Step 1: Contact My Aged Care

Apply for an assessment through the My Aged Care website or call 1800 200 422.

Step 2: Have an assessment

An aged care assessor will meet with you, usually in your home, to talk about how you are managing and what support may help you.

You are welcome to have a family member, friend or support person with you.

Step 3: Receive your assessment outcome

My Aged Care will let you know which services you are eligible for and provide you with a support plan outlining your assessed needs.

This may include ongoing Support at Home services, short-term restorative care, end-of-life care, assistive technology or home modifications.

Step 4: Choose a home care provider

You are free to choose the registered provider that best suits your needs.

You can ask your assessor for information about local providers, use the Find a Provider tool on the My Aged Care website, or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.

You can also contact Capecare to learn more about our services, ask questions and discuss whether we may be the right provider for you.

Step 5: Start receiving support 

Once you choose Capecare, we will meet with you to discuss your goals, explain your budget and create a care plan based on your assessed needs. We will then arrange your services and support you to make the best use of your available funding.

If you receive ongoing Support at Home services, your Capecare Client Services Coordinator will remain your main point of contact and help coordinate your care.

Who is Support at Home for?

Support at Home is for older people who need some assistance to continue living safely, independently and well in their own home.

It is available to people who are newly assessed as eligible for government-funded aged care, as well as existing clients who previously received a Home Care Package and have transitioned to the Support at Home program.

The support you receive will depend on your individual needs and goals. This may include help with everyday tasks, personal care, nursing and allied health services, transport, social connection, home modifications or equipment to make life at home easier.

If your needs are short term, you may also be eligible for restorative care to help you regain strength and independence, or additional support at the end of life. Eligibility and the level of support available are determined through an aged care assessment.

Support at Home Services provided by Capecare

Support at Home services are grouped into three main areas: Clinical Care, Personal Care and Domestic Care. Together, these services are designed to support your health and wellbeing, assist with everyday tasks and help you remain safe, confident and independent in your own home.

The services you receive will be based on your assessed needs, personal goals and available funding, and may change over time as your circumstances change.

Capecare provides the following services for Support at Home package clients:

Clinical care – staying well at home
Independence – stay independent at home
Domestic care – maintain routine and dignity

What are the costs?

The Australian Government funds some of the cost of your Support at Home services. Depending on your financial circumstances and the types of services you receive, you may also be asked to contribute towards some of the cost.

Your Support at Home budget

If you are approved for ongoing support, your aged care assessment will place you into one of eight classifications. Each classification provides a different level of funding based on your assessed care needs.

Your annual funding is divided into four quarterly budgets. 10% of each ongoing quarterly budget is allocated to care management, which includes planning, coordinating and reviewing your services.

Classification Quarterly budget Approximate annual funding
1 $2,752.50 $11,010.01
2 $4,112.84 $16,451.35
3 $5,634.20 $22,536.81
4 $7,617.13 $30,468.51
5 $10,182.38 $40,729.53
6 $12,341.32 $49,365.27
7 $14,915.00 $59,660.00
8 $20,034.28 $80,137.12

Funding amounts are current from 1 July 2026 and may change when government rates are indexed.

Will I need to contribute?

Your contribution depends on:

  • your income and assets
  • the type of service you receive
  • when you were approved for aged care services.

Services are grouped into three categories:

Clinical supports
Services such as nursing and allied health care are fully funded by the Australian Government, so you do not pay a contribution.

Independence
These are services that help you manage safely and independently at home, such as transport and respite. You may be asked to pay part of the cost.

Everyday living
These include services such as cleaning, gardening, shopping and meal preparation. These services generally attract the highest contribution.

From 1 October 2026, approved personal care services are also fully government funded, with no participant contribution.

You only pay a contribution when you receive a service. The Australian Government pays the remaining cost directly to your provider.

How much will I personally pay?

Services Australia will use an income and assets assessment to determine your contribution rate. This is calculated as a percentage of the price of each service, rather than as a fixed daily fee.

People who were already receiving, approved for or waiting for a Home Care Package on 12 September 2024 may be protected by the government’s no worse off principle and continue under their previous contribution arrangements.

Financial hardship assistance may also be available if you cannot afford your required contribution.

Capecare service prices

The amount deducted from your budget will depend on the services you choose, how often you receive them and when they are delivered.

View our Support at Home Price List for Capecare’s current service prices, or contact our Community team and we can explain the costs and help you plan services within your available budget.

The My Aged Care Support at Home Fee Estimator is also a useful tool.

Short-term pathways and additional funding

Support at Home also includes short-term pathways for people who need focused support to recover, remain safely at home or receive care during the final stage of life.

These pathways have their own funding and timeframes and are separate from the eight ongoing Support at Home classifications.

Restorative Care Pathway

The Restorative Care Pathway provides up to 16 weeks of coordinated, goal-focused support to help you regain or maintain your strength, confidence and independence.

It may be suitable if illness, injury, a hospital stay or a change in your health has made everyday activities more difficult. Services may include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nursing and other allied health support.

Your provider will work with you to identify your goals and develop a plan to help you achieve them. You may also receive separate funding for assistive technology or minor home modifications.

Find out more on our Restorative Care at Home services.

End-of-Life Pathway

The End-of-Life Pathway provides additional care for older people who have been assessed as having three months or less to live and wish to remain at home.

It provides approximately $25,000 in funding for up to 12 weeks, with any remaining funds able to be used for up to 16 weeks. Support may include personal care, nursing, respite and help around the home.

The pathway works alongside palliative care services provided by your GP, hospital or state health service. A doctor or nurse practitioner must confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements, and a high-priority aged care assessment can be requested even if you are not already receiving Support at Home services.

Assistive Technology and Home Modifications

The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme provides separate, upfront funding for approved equipment or changes to your home that help you remain safe and independent.

This may include:

  • walking frames, wheelchairs or other mobility equipment
  • shower chairs, commodes and other personal care equipment
  • modified utensils or equipment to make daily tasks easier
  • grab rails, handrails, ramps and other safety modifications.

Funding is generally available for 12 months and is divided into three tiers:

Funding tier Available funding
Low Up to $500
Medium Up to $2,000
High Up to $15,000*

Higher funding may be approved for some complex assistive technology needs.

An aged care assessor will determine whether you are eligible for assistive technology, home modifications or both. Capecare can then help arrange suitable equipment, professional assessments and approved modifications.

What contributions apply for short term pathways and assistive technology?

The same contribution rules generally apply across ongoing services and short-term pathways: clinical services are fully funded by the Australian Government you may contribute towards independence and everyday living services your contribution rate depends on your income, assets and individual circumstances. Any personal contribution will be explained before your services begin.

Why choose Capecare?

Capecare has been supporting older people in the South West for 65 years. As a local, not-for-profit organisation, we are committed to providing care that is personal, reliable and shaped around what matters to you.

Our experienced Community team can help you understand your funding, plan services that support your goals and adjust your care as your needs change. You will have a dedicated Care Partner to help coordinate your support and remain a familiar point of contact.

With services including personal care, nursing, allied health, help around the home, transport, respite and social support, we can provide practical assistance to help you stay safe, connected and independent at home.

And because Capecare also provides residential respite, residential aged care and retirement living in Busselton and Dunsborough, we can continue to support you and your family if your needs change in the future.

Have questions? We’d love to help.

Download our Support at Home Guide

Call Capecare’s Community Team on 08 9750 2097

Or email community@capecare.com.au

Busselton

20 Ray Ave
Busselton WA 6280
Ph: 08 9750 2000
Fax: 08 9755 4696
reception@capecare.com.au

Dunsborough

171 Naturaliste Tce
Dunsborough WA 6281
Ph: 08 9786 5555
Fax: 08 9786 5508
reception.duns@capecare.com.au

Capecare Community Home Care

Ph: 08 9750 2097
community@capecare.com.au

Capecare acknowledges the Wadandi people as the Traditional Custodians of Noongar Boodja and honour Elders past and present. We recognise their enduring connection to this land and our shared commitment to care for our community.

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