Supporting a Client Using Support at Home Funding

Clients on Careseekers pay for support in different ways. Some pay privately, some use NDIS funding, and some use Support at Home funding.

If your client is using Support at Home funding, it means they are receiving government-funded aged care services to help them stay at home for longer. Support at Home replaced the Home Care Packages Program on 1 November 2025.

What does it mean if my client is using Support at Home funding?

It means your client may be using government funding for approved aged care services delivered at home.

Support at Home includes:

• 8 classifications for ongoing services
• 3 short-term pathways for assistive technology and home modifications, restorative care, and end-of-life care
• participant contributions set by government.

The level of funding your client receives affects how much support they may be able to arrange and how often support can be delivered.

Can clients still self-manage parts of their care?

Yes.

Under Support at Home, participants can choose to self-manage parts of their care, depending on their needs, preferences and abilities. Self-management can look different for each person.

Even where a client self-manages part of the arrangement, the registered provider is still responsible for the care and services delivered, including care management. Any self-management activities or use of third-party workers should be agreed and made clear in the client’s care plan. 

How does this affect invoices and payment?

If you are supporting a client who is using Support at Home funding, the invoice is generally approved by the client or their nominated person first. Once approved, it can then be sent to the approved aged care provider for payment. This is the same payment flow Careseekers uses for third-party funded arrangements, where third-party details are added to the account and the invoice is sent after approval.

How long can payment take?

Payments from Support at Home providers may take up to 14 days from invoice approval, although some providers pay faster. Careseekers pays invoices within 1 business day of receiving funds from the provider.

What should I understand as a worker?

If your client is using Support at Home funding, it helps to understand:

• the client may be using government funding for approved services
• the support arrangement still needs to align with the client’s approved services and care plan
• the client or their nominated person usually approves the invoice first
• the aged care provider may then process payment
• payment timing may be slower than direct private payment, depending on the provider.

Frequently asked questions

What is Support at Home?

Support at Home is the Australian Government’s in-home aged care program. It replaced the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme on 1 November 2025.

Can a client self-manage part of their Support at Home care?

Yes. Participants can choose to self-manage parts of their care, depending on their needs, preferences and abilities.

Does self-management mean the provider is no longer involved?

No. The registered provider is still responsible for the care and services delivered, including care management.

Who approves the invoice if my client is using Support at Home funding?

The client or their nominated person generally approves the invoice first, and it can then be sent to the aged care provider for payment.

How long can payment take?

The current worker-facing payment guidance says provider payments may take up to 14 days from invoice approval, although some are faster.

Read: How To Set Your Support Worker Hourly Rate

Read: Top 5 Training Resources for Care and Support Workers on Careseekers