Growing older should not mean giving up the comfort, independence and familiar routines of living at home. Under Australia’s Support at Home program, eligible older people can access approved services that support their health, wellbeing and everyday activities. Choosing the right home care service provider can make these supports easier to coordinate and adapt as needs change. A reliable support at home provider can also help participants understand their approved services, organise suitable care and make informed decisions about living safely and independently at home.
What Does a Home Care Service Provider Do Under Support at Home?
A home care service provider coordinates and delivers approved aged care services based on a person's assessed needs, support plan, preferences and available funding. Support at Home replaced the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme on 1 November 2025 and is designed to help older Australians remain safely in their own homes for longer.
Support at Home services are grouped into three broad categories: Clinical Supports, Independence and Everyday Living. However, each person's care arrangements can be different. The services available depend on a My Aged Care assessment, individual goals and the approved service list in the person's support plan.
A dependable home care service provider should clearly explain which services can be delivered, how often support can be provided, how care will be coordinated and whether participant contributions apply.
Clinical Supports a Home Care Service Provider May Coordinate
Clinical Supports are intended for older Australians who require professional health-related care while continuing to live at home. Approved clinical services under Support at Home are fully funded by the Australian Government, meaning participants do not pay a contribution for those approved clinical supports.
In-Home Nursing and Clinical Care
Depending on an individual's approved support plan, a home care service provider may coordinate nursing assessments, wound care, medication management, continence care and other nursing-related supports.
Receiving nursing care at home can be particularly valuable for older people who have mobility challenges, ongoing health conditions or difficulty travelling regularly to clinics.
Professional in-home nursing may also help maintain continuity between the individual, family members, GPs and other health professionals where appropriate.
Allied Health and Nutrition Support
Support at Home can also include approved allied health services. Depending on assessed needs, this may include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, dietetics and other eligible health supports.
A knowledgeable home care service provider should help participants understand how approved clinical and allied health services fit within their broader care goals.
For example, physiotherapy may support mobility and strength, while occupational therapy may help identify practical ways to make everyday activities safer and easier at home.
Independence Services Available Under Support at Home
Independence services are designed to help older Australians continue carrying out important daily activities while maintaining as much choice and control as possible.
These supports may be especially useful when ageing, illness, reduced mobility or other changes make personal routines more difficult.
Personal Care and Daily Living Assistance
A home care service provider may provide approved personal care assistance with activities such as showering, dressing, grooming, personal hygiene, eating and non-clinical continence support.
Good personal care should respect privacy, dignity and individual preferences. Rather than taking over every task, support should encourage older people to remain involved in daily activities wherever practical and safe.
From 1 October 2026, approved personal care services under Support at Home will move into the Clinical Supports contribution category. Eligible participants who have personal care approved in their support plan and sufficient available funding will no longer pay a participant contribution for those approved services delivered from that date.
Mobility and Medication Assistance
Some older people may require practical support to move safely around their homes or complete daily activities.
A home care service provider may help coordinate appropriate assistance based on a person's approved needs. This can support greater confidence while helping individuals maintain involvement in their own routines and decisions.
Medication-related assistance may also form part of approved care, depending on the person's circumstances and required level of support.
Transport, Social Support and Respite Care
Remaining connected with the community can play an important role in an older person's wellbeing.
Support at Home may include approved transport and social support services. Transport assistance may help eligible participants attend appointments, complete essential activities or maintain community connections.
Social support can help reduce isolation by enabling older people to participate in meaningful activities and maintain relationships.
Additionally, a home care service provider may offer approved respite support for family members or informal carers. Respite can provide carers with time away from their caring responsibilities while ensuring the older person continues receiving appropriate assistance.
When comparing providers, it is helpful to ask how transport, respite and social support can be scheduled around individual routines and preferences.
Everyday Living Services From a Home Care Service Provider
Maintaining a safe and comfortable home can become more difficult as mobility, strength or stamina changes.
Everyday Living services under Support at Home focus on practical household activities that can help older Australians continue living at home.
Domestic Assistance and Laundry
Approved domestic assistance may include cleaning, laundry and other routine household activities.
For someone experiencing reduced mobility or physical limitations, everyday tasks such as vacuuming, changing bed linen or cleaning certain areas of the home can become difficult.
A home care service provider should explain which domestic tasks are covered within the approved support plan, how often assistance can be provided and whether a participant contribution applies.
The aim is to help maintain a clean, manageable and comfortable home environment while supporting continued independence.
Meal Preparation and Shopping Assistance
Good nutrition remains important throughout ageing. However, shopping for groceries and preparing meals can become challenging for some older Australians.
Support at Home may include approved meal preparation and shopping assistance.
Depending on individual needs, support could involve preparing meals, assisting with grocery shopping or helping an older person continue participating in food preparation where possible.
A suitable home care service provider should deliver these services in a way that respects personal preferences, dietary requirements and established routines.
Light Gardening and Home Maintenance
Support at Home may also include certain approved gardening, maintenance and repair services where they relate to assessed aged care needs.
These services can help make the home environment safer and easier to manage. For example, basic outdoor assistance may reduce hazards around commonly used paths or entrances.
Because Support at Home operates with an approved service list, participants should check with their home care service provider before arranging gardening, maintenance or household tasks to confirm they are covered by their support plan.
Can a Home Care Service Provider Arrange Assistive Technology and Home Modifications?
Support at Home includes separate pathways for eligible assistive technology and home modifications.
Assistive technology may include equipment or products that make everyday activities safer or easier, while approved home modifications can help improve accessibility and independence.
Depending on individual circumstances, a home care service provider may assist with coordinating eligible equipment, modifications or suitable professionals.
The type and level of support available depend on assessment outcomes, individual needs and Support at Home requirements.
These options can be particularly valuable for people experiencing changes in mobility who want to continue living safely in a familiar home environment.
How Are Support at Home Services Chosen?
Support at Home services are based on an aged care assessment and the approved services contained within an individual's support plan.
Once services have been approved, the participant and their care partner can determine how those services should be delivered within their available budget.
This means two people with similar classifications may receive very different combinations of support.
For example, one person may need regular nursing and personal care, while another may primarily need domestic assistance, transport and meal preparation.
An experienced home care service provider should work with the individual to organise care that reflects their approved services, priorities and lifestyle.
If needs change significantly over time, it may be necessary to request a Support Plan Review so an aged care assessor can determine whether additional or different supports are required.
Do You Have to Pay for Support at Home Services?
The amount a participant contributes depends partly on the category of service received and their individual financial circumstances.
Approved Clinical Supports are fully funded by the Australian Government. Participant contributions generally apply to eligible Independence and Everyday Living services according to applicable income and assets arrangements.
Therefore, before engaging a home care service provider, participants and families should request clear information about service prices and any expected contributions.
Providers should explain prices before services are delivered so participants understand how their funding will be used.
It is also helpful to ask how regularly statements will be provided, how cancellations are handled and what happens if care requirements change.
How to Choose the Right Home Care Service Provider in Western Australia?
Choosing the right provider involves more than simply checking whether a company delivers aged care services.
Families should consider reliability, communication, continuity of care, clinical capability, service flexibility and pricing transparency.
Before choosing a home care service provider in Western Australia, consider asking:
- Does the provider deliver the services approved in your support plan?
- Is the required support available in your suburb or regional area?
- How are care workers and nurses matched with clients?
- Can the provider offer consistent care workers where possible?
- How are care changes and cancellations managed?
- Are service prices clearly explained before care begins?
- Who will help coordinate and review your services?
- How will the provider respond if your care needs change?
A good provider should make aged care easier to understand while helping older people retain meaningful choice and control.
What Should a Good Support at Home Provider Offer?
A quality support at home provider should take a person-centred approach to care rather than treating every client the same way.
Older Australians have different lifestyles, health needs, cultural backgrounds, family circumstances and personal preferences. Therefore, services should be organised around the individual wherever possible.
Reliable communication is equally important. Participants and families should know who to contact when they have questions about schedules, care workers, services or changes in needs.
A trustworthy home care service provider should also be transparent about costs and clearly explain how available Support at Home funding is being used.
Why Personalised Home Care Matters?
Effective home care is about more than completing household tasks or attending scheduled visits.
The right support can help older Australians preserve dignity, personal choice, familiar routines and connections with their families and communities.
For instance, one person might require regular clinical nursing and personal care, while another may need assistance primarily with cleaning, shopping, transport and meal preparation.
Therefore, a home care service provider should focus on delivering approved care in a way that reflects the person's individual goals and preferences.
Care requirements can also change over time. Mobility might decline, health needs might become more complex or family carers may require additional respite.
Ongoing communication and regular care reviews can help ensure services remain appropriate as circumstances change.
What Should You Discuss Before Starting Support at Home Services?
Before starting care, participants should understand their service agreement, approved supports, schedules and pricing.
Ask your home care service provider to clearly explain which services will be delivered, how frequently they can be provided and who will normally provide the support.
You should also understand how changes can be requested, what happens when a regular worker is unavailable and how participant contributions are calculated where applicable.
If continuity is important, ask whether the provider tries to schedule familiar care workers. Likewise, people requiring nursing, respite, transport or domestic assistance should confirm that those particular services are available in their location.
Having these conversations before care begins can reduce uncertainty and help establish clear expectations for both participants and families.
If you or an older family member wants to continue living independently at home with reliable and person-centred care, Guardian Nursing Agency can help you understand your options and organise suitable approved supports.
Guardian Nursing Agency provides aged care and in-home support services across Western Australia, including clinical nursing, personal care, domestic assistance, respite and other eligible services according to individual care requirements. Choosing an experienced home care service provider can help make everyday care easier to manage while supporting safety, comfort, dignity and independence. As a support at home provider, Guardian Nursing Agency works with older Australians and their families to coordinate care based on individual needs, preferences and approved supports. Contact us today to discuss your Support at Home care needs.
