Clinical supports
Depending on what is approved, this may include nursing, allied health such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy or podiatry, and continence support.
Support at Home resource hub
Practical answers for the next family conversation.
Clear, calm guidance for people using Support at Home: what a quarterly budget may cover, when to ask for a review, and how to read the statement already in your inbox.
What it is
Help to stay independent at home.
Support at Home is the Australian Government's in-home aged care program. It replaced the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme on 1 November 2025.
It is for eligible older people who need help to live independently at home. After an assessment, eligible participants receive a Notice of Decision and support plan. Those documents, together with the care plan agreed with the provider, are the source of truth for the services approved for that person.
This guide helps families prepare questions. It does not decide eligibility, approve a service or replace advice from My Aged Care, an assessor or a provider.
Read the Australian Government overview of Support at HomeUsing a quarterly budget
Start with what is approved for this person.
A quarterly budget can be used for a mix of services, but only within the participant's Notice of Decision, support plan and care plan. The examples below are not a checklist of automatically approved purchases or services.
Independence services
Depending on approval, this can include personal care, transport or accompanied activities, respite, and support to stay socially connected.
Everyday living
Depending on approval, this can include cleaning, meals, shopping, gardening and home maintenance.
Do I need an assessment?
Not for every service change.
Re-balancing already approved services does not automatically mean a new assessment. The right first conversation is with the provider or care partner.
Same needs, approved services
Start with the provider or care partner.
Ask to review the care plan and individualised budget. The provider can work with the participant to change the mix of services from those already approved, and explain the options available within the budget.
Changed needs or new services
Ask about a Support Plan Review.
If daily tasks are harder, care needs have changed, a different service is needed or the budget no longer fits, ask the provider about a Support Plan Review. An assessor may recommend a reassessment if the change is significant.
Your provider should review the care plan every 12 months, and sooner when needed. A Support Plan Review or reassessment is individual; it is not automatically required because a quarterly budget is unspent.
Read My Aged Care guidance on Support Plan Reviews and reassessments
Arrange an assessment or review
Take one clear step at a time.
1
Find the current documents
Have the Notice of Decision, support plan, care plan and most recent statement ready. Note what has changed or what you want explained.
2
Speak with the provider or care partner
Ask for a care-plan review. If the services are already approved, they can discuss changing the service mix and individualised budget.
3
Ask whether a Support Plan Review is needed
If needs or required services have changed, ask the provider to help arrange the next step, or request a review through My Aged Care.
4
Contact My Aged Care
For a new aged care assessment, apply online through My Aged Care or call 1800 200 422. For changed needs, My Aged Care can help with a Support Plan Review or reassessment.
Read the statement
Turn a dense page into a useful question.
- 1. Find the current period. Check which quarterly budget period the statement covers and the end date shown.
- 2. Find the current balance. Use the available or unspent balance, not a total allocation from an earlier period.
- 3. Check services and charges. Ask the provider to explain anything unclear, including planned services, contributions or charges.
- 4. Confirm before acting. The statement, Notice of Decision and care plan are what matter—not a calculator result.
Once you have confirmed the balance and date, use Unspent to make the deadline easy to share with family.
Start the free countdownFAQs
A few useful answers.
Unspent provides general information only. It is not aged-care, financial or clinical advice. Eligibility, budget periods and approved services are individual. Confirm decisions with the participant's provider, care partner, My Aged Care or an appropriate professional.