Understanding Support at Home Inclusions and Exclusions​

Many Australian families are interested in in-home aged care support, but they're not sure what it includes.

Most package coverage depends on the person's needs, but there are limitations. There are also quite a few exceptions and special rules for certain circumstances.

You can access services through your HCP budget. Some services must be arranged or paid for separately.

The good news is that all the services covered by Home Care Packages will now fall under the Support at Home Program.

It's a single, streamlined system designed to bring all in-home aged care services under one national framework.

However, the transition may bring changes to both inclusions and exclusions. 

Some services currently available might be modified. Others could be added or removed altogether.

If you want to find out more about Support at Home inclusions and exclusions, keep reading. 

What Does "Support at Home" Mean?

Support at Home refers to a broad range of services designed to help older Australians live safely, independently, and comfortably in their own homes. 

It can also apply to services for people with disabilities or short-term health needs. 

Beginning 1 November 2025, the Australian Government's new Support at Home Program will be rolled out. It will replace several existing programs, including:

1. Home Care Packages (HCP)
2. Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
3. Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC)

It's part of a larger reform to simplify aged care services.

The Support at Home Program will provide more flexibility, clarity, and consistency for older Australians and their families.

Support at Home: What's Included and What's Not

The Support at Home Program will group services into four clear categories so you know exactly what's available. 

This helps ensure funding is used for care that supports health, safety, and independence.

These four categories include:

1. Clinical care such as nursing, physiotherapy, wound care, and continence management
2. Independence support, like personal care (showering, dressing) and respite care
3. Everyday living assistance, including cleaning, shopping, meal preparation, gardening, and transport
4. Other essential supports such as social connection activities, home modifications, and assistive technology

Some services and costs will not be covered under Support at Home. These include:

• Everyday household purchases like groceries and clothing
• General food costs, except where linked to clinical nutrition needs
• Rent, mortgage, or other permanent accommodation payments
• Home modifications or assets not related to assessed care needs
• Payment of home care fees or other government care program fees
• Holiday travel or accommodation
• Entertainment expenses, such as club memberships or event tickets
• Gambling activities
• Services covered by Medicare or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
• Any costs not directly linked to your assessed care needs and goals

The exact list of Support at Home inclusions and exclusions is not yet fully available. We'll know more when the Support at Home program actually starts.

How the Government Categorises Support

The government has grouped support services into three main types, based on the purpose and duration of care. 

Understanding these categories helps clarify what kinds of services may be included, and under what circumstances.

Here are the three key types of support:

1. Ongoing Support

Designed for individuals who need continued help with daily tasks. This includes things like showering, dressing, meal preparation, and regular transport to appointments.

2. Time-Limited Support

Short-term help provided after a hospital stay, illness, injury, or when someone is recovering and needs help regaining independence.

3. Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM)

Services in this category provide aids and minor home changes to improve safety and mobility, such as walking frames, personal alarms, grab rails, or bathroom modifications.

These support types guide what's included in your care. But services must be assessed and approved based on your individual situation.

Common Types of Support Covered by Home Care Packages

We still don't know what exactly the Support at Home Program will entail. It's planned to include most services that are covered by Home Care Packages.

These are the most common types of services currently included by Home Care Packages:

1. Personal Care

This includes help with daily self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility support.

2. Domestic Assistance

Services that support home upkeep, including cleaning, dishwashing, laundry, and changing bed linen.

3. Meal and Nutrition Support

Help with grocery shopping, preparing meals, managing special diets, and sometimes assistance with eating.

4. Transport and Community Access

Transport to and from medical appointments, social outings, shopping trips, and other essential activities.

5. Social Support and Companionship

One-on-one or group activities to reduce isolation, encourage social interaction, and support mental well-being.

6. Allied Health Services

Professional therapies such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, and speech therapy.

7. Nursing and Clinical Care

Care from registered nurses for medication management, wound care, continence support, and monitoring of health conditions.

8. Assistive Technology

Provision of devices like walking frames, bed rails, hearing amplification devices, or emergency call systems.

9. Minor Home Modifications

Small safety-related upgrades, such as installing grab rails, ramps, non-slip flooring, or raised toilet seats, typically covered through the AT-HM stream.

It's important to note that not every service listed here will be available to every client. 

Access depends on:

• Your eligibility
• Assessment outcomes
• The amount of funding you're approved for

Be Ready for the 2025 Support at Home Program

The upcoming Support at Home Program marks a major shift in how Australians receive in-home aged care. 

Many familiar inclusions and exclusions from the current Home Care Package system will remain. 

However, others may change as services are streamlined under the new national framework. 

Understanding these boundaries now will help you plan with confidence, avoid surprises, and make informed choices about your care. 

At Haisey Home Care, we pride ourselves on making that process as clear and stress-free as possible. 

Our team can guide you through the transition and explain what's covered in plain language.

If you're ready to navigate these changes with clarity and support, contact Haisey Home Care today.

Let's discuss your options and secure the care that's right for you.

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