Support at Home: Guide to Funding and Personal Alarms

The Australian Government is changing how in-home aged care works starting November 1st 2025. The new program is called Support at Home (SaH), and it’s designed to make things easier, fairer, and more flexible for older Australians who want to stay independent at home.

‍

What is Support at Home?

Support at Home was developed in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Its goal is to simplify how participants access care by merging existing programs and providing tailored support, along with upfront access to essential services and assistive technologies — including personal alarms. This empowers older Australians with greater flexibility and choice, helping them maintain their independence and continue living safely at home for longer.

Support at Home is replacing two current programs: Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care. It will also replace the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) from July 2027.

‍

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible if you are aged 65+ (50+ for First Nations people), and

• noticed a change in what you can do or remember
• been diagnosed with a medical condition or reduced mobility
• experienced a change in family care arrangements, or
• experienced a recent fall or hospital admission.

To check if you could be eligible, use this Eligibility Checker.

‍

How to apply for Support at Home?

The first step to access government-funded aged care services is to get assessed. You can apply for an assessment online or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
Assessments are done in person, usually at your own home.

‍

How does the funding work?

Support at Home provides eight levels of support, each offering different funding based on your individual needs. This funding is delivered in quarterly budgets, giving you the flexibility to choose products and services that match your assessed level of care. Your care provider will help coordinate and arrange access to everything you need.

‍

Funding for safety equipment and home modification

One of the major changes in the Support at Home program is the new Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme.

The AT-HM scheme includes three levels of funding for assistive technology and three for home modifications. This annually-based funding is separate from the main care budget and delivered upfront.

‍

Assistive technology

Assistive technology includes items, equipment or products to help participants do things more easily or complete activities they can no longer do independently.

Examples include:

• mobility equipment such as walking sticks, walking frames and wheelchairs
• toileting supports including bedpans and commodes
• bathing devices including shower chairs and bath boards.
• personal alarms

The assistive technology funding tiers are:

‍

Home modifications

Home modifications provide changes to your home environment to make it safer and more accessible, so you can remain living safely at home.

Examples of home modifications include:

• grab rails in the shower or bathroom
• internal and external handrails
• non-slip surfaces for floors and stairs.

In some circumstances, participants may be approved for more significant home modifications including:

• bathroom redesign (for example, changes to design layout to improve accessibility)
• ramps and stair lifts.

The home modifications funding tiers are:

‍_{Source: Department of Health and Aged Care}

‍

MePACS personal alarms and Support at Home

Personal alarms are considered low-cost assistive technology and funding can be available for approved participants through the AT-HM Scheme. As an approved My Aged Care supplier, all MePACS personal alarms, including the monitoring fees, are eligible for funding under the AT-HM scheme.

To order a MePACS personal alarm, contact your Support at Home provider. They will source and organise your preferred alarm directly through MePACS.

‍

What if you need a personal alarm now?

All MePACS personal alarms can be self-funded until you receive your Support at Home funding. Once your funding arrives, we can change the billing accordingly.
Call us on 1800 685 329 to discuss your needs.

‍

Are there changes to current home care package recipients?

If you have a home care package, it will automatically transition to Support at Home from November 1st, 2025. Your new budget and level will remain the same and you won’t have to pay more for care. If you were approved for a package but haven’t received it yet, you will retain your place in the national registry and receive your Support at Home budget when it becomes available. Your budget will match your assessed level. You will not need a new assessment unless your care needs change.

If you already have a MePACS alarm, there will be no changes to your service or billing.

‍

‍

Disclaimer: This information is based on current Support at Home guidance and is subject to change and further advice from the Department of Health.

‍