Planning Ahead for Support at Home

What People with Parkinson’s and Carers Need to Know About Wait Times, Funding and Priority AssessmenWhat People with Parkinson’s and Carers Need to Know About Wait Times, Funding & Priority Assessments

What is Support at Home?

Support at Home is the Australian Government’s in-home aged care program for older people who need assistance to continue living independently at home. It replaced the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program from 1 November 2025 and uses a needs-based funding model to support people with varying levels of care requirements.Support at Home is the Australian Government’s in-home aged care program for older people who need assistance to continue living independently at home. It replaced the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program from 1 November 2025 and uses a needs-based funding model to support people with varying levels of care requirements.

Services may include:

  • Personal care
  • Domestic assistance
  • Meal preparation
  • Transport
  • Nursing care
  • Allied health services
  • Social support
  • Assistive technology
  • Home modifications

Every participant receives a funding classification based on their assessed needs. Funding can then be used to purchase approved services and supports.

What is CHSP and how is it different?

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) remains a separate aged care program and is expected to continue until 1 July 2029, with the Australian Government indicating a longer transition period for CHSP providers and participants. Current government arrangements continue to support CHSP alongside Support at Home.

CHSP generally provides entry-level support for people with lower care needs, including:

  • Domestic assistance
  • Transport
  • Meals
  • Social support
  • Personal care

The key difference is that CHSP funds individual services, while Support at Home provides an individual budget based on assessed care needs. Support at Home is designed for people who require more coordinated and ongoing support.

Can you receive CHSP while waiting for Support at Home?

In many cases, yes.

If you have been approved for Support at Home and are waiting for funding, you may still be able to access CHSP services. This can provide practical assistance while you remain on the Support at Home priority list. Speak with My Aged Care about what CHSP services are available in your area.

What happened to Home Care Packages?

People who were already approved for a Home Care Package before 1 November 2025 were automatically transitioned to the Support at Home Priority System.

If you were waiting for a Home Care Package, you kept your place in the queue. You were not required to start the process again. Your approved Home Care Package level transitioned to an equivalent Support at Home funding level.

A reassessment is only required if your care needs increase and you need a higher level of support.

Understanding the Support at Home process

Many people are surprised to learn there is more than one waiting period.

  1. Contact My Aged Care: You begin by registering with My Aged Care. Information is collected about your health, circumstances and support needs.
  2. Aged care assessment (ACAT): An assessment organisation will arrange an assessment, usually in your home. Assessment timelines vary, but many people are assessed within several weeks of contacting My Aged Care. How to get assessed | My Aged Care
  3. Notice of Decision: Following the assessment, you receive a Notice of Decision outlining your approved supports and funding classification.
  4. Wait for funding allocation: Once approved, you enter the Support at Home Priority System. This is often the longest part of the process. Funding is allocated according to assessed need and available funding.
  5. Choose a provider and start services: Once funding becomes available, you select a provider, sign a service agreement and begin receiving services.

Key takeaways

People with Parkinson’s should plan ahead

  • Parkinson’s symptoms can change over time and affect mobility, balance, communication, swallowing, cognition and daily activities.
  • Applying before support becomes urgent can reduce the risk of gaps in care.
  • Contact My Aged Care early, complete an assessment, and understand that funding allocation may take significantly longer than the assessment process itself.

Carers should also register for supports at their loved one’s diagnosis

  • Register with Carer Gateway. If you provide unpaid care, register with Carer Gateway to access counselling, coaching, peer support, respite and other services designed to support carers in their caring role.
  • Seek local community and council supports. Many local councils and community organisations offer transport, social groups, meals, home assistance, respite programs and community wellbeing services.
  • Do not wait for a crisis to seek support. Register your loved one with My Aged Care early, explore CHSP services if eligible, and discuss support options with your state/territory Parkinson’s organisation.
  • Assemble a care team. Get your neurologist, GP, allied health team and social worker all talking to one another to support your loved one best. This can help reduce delays when additional care is needed.
  • Set up a “CREW” on Gather my crew app. This app reduces telling the story and asking for help multiple times by making it a one stop shop for friends and family wanting to support you now and into the future.

How do I access supports?

It’s advisable to explore all available pathways to find the support that best suits your individual needs. Look to:

  • getting a GP referral to someone with Parkinson‘s experience
  • your state-based Parkinson’s organisation for advice
  • Ask Izzy https://askizzy.org.au/ to search for local services to access
  • private health to see what is covered in relation to consultations and expenses
  • DVA, NDIS or My Aged Care plan supports.

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My Aged Care

If you need some help around the house or think it’s time to look into aged care, My Aged Care is here to help.

Visit the My Aged Care website to find information about how to access aged care services, including how Support at Home will work from 1 November 2025.

You can apply for an aged care assessment online and search for local aged care providers that meet your needs.

You can also call 1800 200 422 Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, and Saturday, 10am to 2pm.

References & Resources

After you’ve registered with My Aged Care BOOKLET

Support at Home waiting times — how long and what to do Aged Care Action Guides

Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

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