Yes, absolutely.

Private Home Care Services are a good alternative when you do not have, are waiting for, or cannot access a government-funded Support at Home Program.

This can benefit people who require urgent home care services, as there is no waiting period for the Single Assessment System. LiveWell can also assist you with applying for a Support at Home Program while you receive private services.

A Support at Home Program is a government-funded program that allows you to receive care services in your own home or assistance when you are out in the community.

The program helps you live independently for as long as possible in the comfort of your own home through coordinated care.

Your funding can be used for services such as :

• Housework
• Transport to appointments
• Clinical care
• Personal care
• Mobility aids
• Minor home modifications to create a safe and comfortable environment

There are eight funding classifications. An aged care assessor will determine the appropriate classification based on the level of care and support you require.

You may be eligible if you are :

• Aged 65 or older
• An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person aged 50 or older
• A person aged 50 or older who is homeless or at risk of homelessness

You can request an assessment through My Aged Care for assistance to help you remain at home.

There are several ways to do this :

• Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and request an assessment for a Support at Home Program.
• Ask your GP or another medical professional to complete an online referral on your behalf.
• Complete an online referral yourself or with the help of a loved one.

My Aged Care will ask questions about your health, support system, medical diagnoses and the activities you find difficult in your daily life.

Following the initial referral, an assessor will contact you by phone to ask further questions and determine the level of care you require.

People with higher care needs may be assessed through the Single Assessment System. The assessor will determine the funding classification you are eligible for and the priority for assigning your funding.

Participant contributions are part of the Support at Home Program. You will only pay contributions for services you receive.

From 1 November 2025, some services require participant contributions, while others remain fully government-funded.

Your contribution rate is based on :

• Your income and assets
• The type of service you receive
• The amount of service you receive

An income and assets assessment, similar to the Age Pension means test, will determine your contribution rate.

Full pensioners and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders generally pay lower contributions. If your income and assets are similar to those of a full pensioner, you may qualify for the lowest rates.

Contribution requirements differ by service type :

• Clinical care, such as nursing and physiotherapy, is fully funded by the government.
• Independence services, such as personal care, attract moderate contributions.
• Everyday living services, such as cleaning and gardening, attract the highest contribution rates.

The “No Worse Off” Principle protects people who were approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024.

These protections include :

• No new financial contributions unless you were previously subject to income-tested fees
• No reduction in funding
• Continued access to unspent funds
• Equivalent budgets for eligible people still waiting for funding allocation

This protection is intended to ensure that your care and funding remain stable as the Support at Home Program is introduced.

It applies to :

• People assigned a Home Care Package that was approved on or before 12 September 2024
• People approved on or before 12 September 2024 who remain on the National Priority System

Once you have been assigned Support at Home funding, or have received a letter from My Aged Care advising you to begin looking for a provider, you can contact LiveWell Home & Community.

The team can help you navigate the aged care system, explain the process and provide the information you need to make an informed decision about the services that best suit your needs.