Aged Care Made Simple: Support at Home and Your Options in 2026

Aged care in Australia changed in November 2025 with a new program called Support at Home. Whether you want to stay in your own house or move into residential care, this guide explains your options in simple terms.

The two main types of aged care

There are two ways to get aged care in Australia:

1. Support at Home — help while you live in your own home
2. Residential aged care — living full-time in a care facility

Most older Australians prefer to stay home as long as possible. Support at Home makes that easier.

What is Support at Home?

Support at Home replaced the old Home Care Packages from 1 November 2025. It provides help with daily tasks so you can stay in your home longer.

Services may include:

• Help with showering and dressing
• Cleaning, gardening, and home maintenance
• Cooking and meal delivery
• Nursing and clinical care
• Transport to medical appointments
• Mobility aids and home modifications
• Social activities and respite for carers

The 8 funding levels

Support at Home has 8 levels. The level you receive depends on how much help you need. The highest levels provide more hours of care per week.

Costs are split into three categories:

• Clinical care (nursing, allied health) — fully paid by the government
• Daily support (personal care, transport) — you pay up to 50%
• Everyday living (cleaning, meals, gardening) — you pay up to 80%

Full pensioners pay nothing for the everyday living component.

How to apply

1. Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422
2. Have a phone or in-home assessment
3. Receive your funding level approval
4. Choose a service provider in your area
5. Start receiving care

The whole process can take a few months, so apply as soon as you think you might need help.

Residential aged care

If you can no longer manage at home, residential aged care provides 24-hour support. You'll have a private room, all meals, nursing care, and social activities.

Costs include:

• Basic daily fee: 85% of the single Age Pension
• Means-tested fee: based on your income and assets
• Accommodation payment: lump sum, daily payment, or both

The government has lifetime caps on means-tested fees so you won't pay more than a set amount over your lifetime.

Choosing a provider

Use the official Star Ratings system on the My Aged Care website to compare providers. Look at:

• Overall rating (1 to 5 stars)
• Quality measures (pressure injuries, falls, weight loss)
• Resident satisfaction
• Staff care minutes per resident
• Compliance with standards

Visit a few homes in person before deciding. Bring a family member if you can.

Watch out for aged care scams

There have been scams where strangers pretend to be aged care assessors and visit homes. Real My Aged Care staff:

• Always book the visit in advance
• Carry official ID
• Never ask for payment
• Never ask for your bank details

If unsure, ring 1800 200 422 to check before letting anyone into your home.

Final thoughts

Aged care can feel overwhelming, especially during a stressful time. The most important step is to call My Aged Care early. An assessment doesn't commit you to anything — it just gives you options for when you're ready.

You've worked hard your whole life. Help is here when you need it.