Support at Home Program
Colac Otway Shire is proud to be an approved provider for the Support at Home Program. Your home care support requirements will be developed with you in collaboration with our experienced, Colac-based Care Partners. This includes service times tailored to your needs, so you receive best value from your Support at Home Package. You will receive a copy of your individual care plan. We will work together with you, and your carer/family if requested, for positive outcomes.
Support at Home Program - Overview for Older People
Support at Home Package Services
Living at home is much more than just keeping your house clean and tidy. Our services aim to enrich your life and includes but not limited to a list of services through our care staff or one of our preferred, accredited contractors.
- Domestic assistance
- Companionship
- In-home respite
- Overnight respite (external provider)
- Personal care such as showering and dressing assistance, welfare & medication checks
- Allied health such as podiatry, physiotherapy
- Clinical services such as home nursing
- Gardening and lawn maintenance
- Transport
- Food preparation and delivery
- Aids and equipment supply and assistance
- Social Support Groups and socialisation programs
Eligibility
Eligibility for a Support at Home Package is determined through contacting My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or further information is available on the accessing home care page on the My Aged Care Website.
When a Support at Home Package becomes available you will receive a letter from My Aged Care to let you know you have been assigned a package. This letter will set out the level of home care package that has been assigned to you and include a unique referral code printed in red.
How does my funding work?
Under Support at Home, funding will be divided into quarterly budgets (every 3 months). If you don't spend all your funds in one quarter, you can carry over up to $1,000 (or 10%) to the next quarter. Funds will be managed by Services Australia to ensure transparency.
What are the new funding levels?
Support at Home introduces 8 funding levels, alongside the 4 levels under the Home Care Package program. There will also be three short-term pathways:
- Restorative care pathway - For temporary intensive care to improve independence
- End-of-Life pathway - For those with less than 3 months to live
- AT-HM Scheme - For those who need funding for equipment or their home
Funding levels are based on your care needs and assessment outcomes, with a priority rating of high, medium, or standard.
What happens if I need assistive technology or home modifications?
The Support at Home program offers upfront funding of up to $15,000 for eligible clients. This covers:
- Assistive technology (eg. wheelchairs, walking frames)
- Home modifications (eg. grab rails, ramps)
- A health professional may need to prescribe certain modifications.
What if I need short-term or end-of-life care?
Support at Home includes:
- Restorative care pathway - up to 12 weeks of support to help regain independence
- End-of-Life pathway - up to $25,000 over 3 months for those with less than 3 months to live, to support a dignified end-of-life at home.
How will payments to providers work?
Your funding is managed by Services Australia. You only pay for services you receive (no upfront fees). Your provider will collect your client contributions directly from you.
Did my fees change because of the delay?
No, your current fee arrangements stayed the same until 31 October 2025 and were not impacted by the delay. If you are a grandfathered client, the 'no worse off' principle applies beyond 1 November 2025.
Will I lose my unspent Home Care Package funds?
No, your unspent funds will not be lost. You will be able to carry over unspent Home Care Package funds into the Support at Home program. However, carryover funds will be subject to new rules and limits under the Support at Home model.