Support at Home
Learn more about Support at home, a new program funded by the Australian Government that will provide aged care services to older Australians in their homes, commencing on 1 November 2025.
Support at Home is a new program funded by the Australian Government that will provide aged care services to older Australians in their homes, that commenced on 1 November 2025.
Support at Home combines two existing home aged care schemes – the Home Care Package (HCP) and Short-term Restorative Care into a single, streamlined model.
Download the Mercy Health Support at Home Guide
Download Mercy Health SaH pricing guide
What services can you access with Support at Home?
Under Support at Home, there are three service categories
Clinical:
Fully funded by the government, these services help you maintain or retain health and function, including cognitive capabilities. Nursing care, allied health therapies, nutrition planning, and clinical care management all fall into this category.
Independence:
Designed to help you manage daily tasks, this category covers services such as personal care (showering and dressing), social engagement, transport, and in-home respite (temporary care at home to give carers a break). There may be costs associated with services in this category.
Everyday Living:
These services keep your home environment safe and tidy: domestic assistance (cleaning and laundry), meal preparation, grocery shopping, and minor home and garden maintenance. There may be costs associated with services in this category.
Mercy Health offers a range of home care services to assist you across these three categories
Meal Delivery Service
We are proud to provide Meals on Wheels to the Colac community. This is partially funded under Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and delivered in partnership with Foodaroma, a local meals supplier.
Domestic Assistance
We can support you with whatever services you need around the house with a mix and match of services to create a comprehensive care plan suited to you.
Personal Care
Taking care of yourself at home is essential. Our personal care services are designed to ensure you receive the support you need to look and feel your best everyday.
Social Connection
Spending time with family and friends is important. We can make it easier to ensure you don’t miss out on any of your favourite activities.
Nursing
With qualified nurses available, we can offer clinical assistance in your home or workplace.
Transport
Whether you want to get out and about to enjoy the community or you have appointments and commitments to get to, we can help you get to where you need to be.
Community Transport
Our community transport service is committed to assisting those in the community who are transport disadvantaged.
Home Maintenance
Our home maintenance services are here to help with the little tasks that keep your home running smoothly. From fixing loose handrails to replacing light blubs, our team are ready to lend a land so you can enjoy your home without the hassle.
Digital and Technology Support
We can support you to learn and use new skills to stay as independent as possible and keep in touch with your loved ones.
Allied Health
Allied health is a term used to describe the range of health professionals involved in your care who do not fit into the category of doctors, dentists, or nurses.
Dementia Support
Mercy Health is proud of our reputation as one of Victoria’s most experienced providers of dementia care and support.
Memory Support
If you or a loved one is experiencing any kind of behavioural changes or other difficulties associated with memory loss, we can help.
Disability Support
Whether you’re moving out of home for the first time, or looking for help running a family or handling your job. Whatever your circumstances, we can assist
Overnight Care
Enjoy peace of mind by having someone to support you in your home overnight.
24-Hour Care
Our staff can ‘live-in’ for a continuous 24-hour period – from a single-day service through to continuous care, seven days a week.
Wellness Centre
Programs at the Mercy Health Wellness Centre especially benefit people aged 65-plus with reduced balance, a history of falls, or those experiencing a general decline in muscle strength and conditioning.
Palliative Care
Mercy Health Home Care can work with a palliative care provider to help people who are living with a life-limiting or terminal illness to live as comfortably as possible.
Respite Care
If you are caring for a loved one — we can give you a break from your care responsibilities. Carers do an amazing job and it is important for them to take time out to rest and recharge or attend to personal tasks.
Funding your care
Support at Home assigns you one of eight classifications with budgets released quarterly. Your classification is based on your assessed needs and is reviewed if your circumstances change.
| Classification | Quarterly Budget | Approximate annual amount |
| Level 1 | $ 2,750 | $ 11,000 |
| Level 2 | $ 4,000 | $ 16,000 |
| Level 3 | $ 5,550 | $ 22,000 |
| Level 4 | $ 7,500 | $ 30,000 |
| Level 5 | $ 10,000 | $ 40, 000 |
| Level 6 | $ 12,000 | $ 48,000 |
| Level 7 | $ 14,500 | $ 58,000 |
| Level 8 | $ 19,500 | $ 78,000 |
What will you pay for services?
The Australian Government has confirmed that under Support at Home it will continue to be the primary funder of aged care services. At the same time, it acknowledges that older Australians who are financially able should contribute to the cost of their care. To work out how much you will need to contribute (out-of-pocket expenses), Services Australia – or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs – will carry out an income and asset assessment. This helps determine your individual contribution rates based on your financial situation.
Download Mercy Health SaH pricing guide
Short-term funding pathways
Restorative Care Pathway
This pathway is a short-term support program designed to help you regain your strength, mobility, and independence after a setback like a fall, illness, or surgery.
To access the Restorative Care Pathway, you must:
- be eligible for Support at Home
- demonstrate a functional decline or recent setback
- have clearly defined and achievable goals.
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme
The AT-HM scheme is designed to help you live more comfortably and safely at home. Depending on your assessed needs, you may be eligible for support with things like mobility equipment, such as a wheelchair, or home adjustments like installing a shower rail.
If you’re approved following your aged care assessment, you could receive up to $15,000 for home modifications and another $15,000 (or more, with supporting evidence) for assistive technology.
End-of-life Pathway
The End-of-Life Pathway is designed to help you spend your final months at home, surrounded by comfort and familiarity. If you’ve been diagnosed with a life expectancy of three months or less, you can be referred for a priority Support Plan Review, even if you’re not currently receiving Support at Home services.
Engaging Mercy Health as your home care provider
We understand the system and we can help navigate it for you, or with you. We will provide one dedicated contact person to explain all your options. We can also help you identify and prioritise your needs at any point in the process, listen to what services matter to you, and what will make your life easier. We’re here to help you through every step of the process, so if things get overwhelming or confusing, give us a call.
If you’d like any more information or have specific questions, call us now on 1300 478 776 or make an enquiry.
we recently switched to Mercy Health Geelong for the provision of Support at Home services for my elderly parents and we’ve been absolutely delighted with the decision!
Frequently asked questions
Find the answers to frequently asked questions, with insights into service costs, different ways we can help you enjoy living independently at home, and more.
This is a service provided by our Care Partners. They help you get started with services and make sure they are coordinated along the way. This takes all the worry away from you and your family.
Our Care Partners help you understand the aged care system so you can make decisions on how to spend your funds and use your budget in the most effective way.