How Long Does it Take To Get Support at Home Funding?

There is no single wait time for Support at Home funding.

If you are approved for ongoing Support at Home services, funding is allocated when government funding becomes available. How long that takes depends on things like your priority category and overall demand in the Support at Home Priority System. If waits are longer than expected, you may be given interim funding so you can start the most critical services first.

At Careseekers, this matters because many older Australians and families want to know whether they need to wait, whether they can start some support sooner, and whether they can use private support while they are waiting. You can use Careseekers for Support at Home funding where your approved provider agrees, and you can also use Careseekers for private aged care support.

The short answer

If you are approved for ongoing Support at Home funding, you may need to wait for funding to be allocated through the Support at Home Priority System. The wait depends on your priority category and current demand. If the wait is longer than expected, you may receive interim funding, which is 60% of your approved funding so you can access the most critical services first. The remaining 40% is allocated later when full funding becomes available.

Why funding does not always start straight away

Assessment approval and funding allocation are not exactly the same thing.

After assessment, you may be approved for Support at Home, but if you are approved for ongoing funding you may still need to wait for that funding to be allocated. This is part of how the new Support at Home program works. Once funding is allocated, you receive a funding allocation letter and can then choose a provider to deliver your approved services. 

What affects the wait time?

The main things that affect wait time are:

• your priority category
• the level of demand for funding
• whether you were approved for ongoing services or a different pathway
• whether interim funding is being used while demand is higher than expected.

Government guidance also makes clear that some supports move more quickly than others. For example, Restorative Care and End-of-Life Pathway funding are allocated immediately, while ongoing Support at Home services can involve a wait.

What is interim funding?

Interim funding is temporary funding used when waits for full ongoing funding are longer than expected.

If you are given interim funding, you receive 60% of your approved funding so you can start the most critical services first. The remaining 40% is allocated when full funding becomes available, and it is not backdated. While you are on interim funding, you still need to find a provider and work out which approved services to prioritise.

Will everyone get interim funding?

No.

Interim funding is used when demand is higher than expected and would otherwise lead to longer waits. It is not offered in every situation, and some pathways are treated differently. Government guidance notes that full funding is allocated immediately for the Restorative Care Pathway and End-of-Life Pathway, and interim funding does not apply to those pathways.

What should I do while I am waiting?

While you are waiting, it helps to use the time well.

That can mean getting clear on:

• what support you need most urgently
• whether you want funded support only or also private support
• whether a family member or representative will help organise support
• what kind of worker would be the right fit for your routine and preferences.

This is also a good time to think about whether you need help with:

• personal care
• domestic support
• companionship
• transport
• respite
• overnight support.

Can I get help while I am waiting?

Yes.

If you need support before full funding is available, you can use Careseekers for private aged care support. That can be useful if:

• support is needed urgently
• interim funding is not enough to cover everything
• you want extra flexibility
• you want to put support in place sooner rather than waiting.

How Careseekers fits in once funding is available

Once your funding is available, and if your approved provider agrees, they can pay Careseekers directly for eligible services delivered through the platform. That means you can use Careseekers to compare workers, choose the person who suits you best, and arrange support with more visibility over who is providing care, when they support you, and how often.

What if I do not start services in time?

Once funding is allocated, it is important to act.

Government guidance says that if you do not enter into a service agreement and start services within the required timeframe, your funding can be withdrawn and allocated to the next person in the priority system. If that happens, you may need to call My Aged Care to be placed back on the Support at Home Priority System.

Frequently asked questions

Does Support at Home funding start straight after approval?

Not always. If you are approved for ongoing Support at Home services, you may still need to wait for funding to be allocated through the Support at Home Priority System.

What determines how long I wait for Support at Home funding?

Wait times depend on your priority category and overall demand for funding.

What is interim funding under Support at Home?

Interim funding is temporary funding that gives you 60% of your approved funding so you can access the most critical services first while waiting for full funding.

Is the rest of my funding backdated later?

No. The remaining 40% is allocated when it becomes available, and it is not backdated.

Can I get help at home while I wait for funding?

Yes. You can arrange private aged care support through Careseekers while waiting for full Support at Home funding.

Can my provider pay Careseekers once funding becomes available?

Yes, if your approved provider agrees. They can pay Careseekers directly for eligible services delivered through the platform.

Can family members help organise support while I wait?

Yes. A family member or representative can help search for workers, compare options and organise support through Careseekers.

Ready to arrange support sooner?

If you are waiting for Support at Home funding, we make it easier to compare workers, organise private support if needed, and get ready to use funded support once it becomes available.

Find Aged Care Workers

Post a Job 

Read: Can I Find Private Help While Waiting for Support at Home?