A brief overview of the Support at Home program. Learn how it works, recent updates, and which services it replaced for older people in Australia.
Support at Home (SAH) is the Australian Government's new in-home aged care program. It started on 1 November 2025.
SAH replaced:
- Home Care Packages (HCP)
- Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC)
SAH aims to improve access to:
- Services
- Equipment and assistive technology
- Home modifications
The goal is to help you stay independent for longer. This includes supporting you to stay healthy, active, and connected to your community.
This FAQ factsheet outlines some key points about the changes, but it doesn’t cover everything.
For more details, read the SAH Booklet for older people, families, and carers.
What are the basics of Support at Home?
Combines other programs
SAH replaced the HCP and STRC programs.
What about the Commonwealth Home Support Program?
The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) is still the entry point to aged care for many older people in Australia. It continues as a separate program and is funded through to 30 June 2029.
CHSP is generally for people who need a small amount of support to remain independent. Services can include:
- Domestic assistance
- Meals
- Transport
- Social support
- Home maintenance
- Allied health services
- Basic personal care
SAH is generally for people with more complex, ongoing, or higher-level care needs.
Levels of ongoing support
SAH has 8 levels of support for ongoing services. Each classification comes with a budget based on a person's assessed care needs.
Service providers
All SAH participants have access to care management. Your provider may deliver your services directly. They may also coordinate services from other providers. There is also an option to self-manage the way some of your services are provided.
