My Aged Care - Government Funding | Funding Options

If you are new to the Aged Care System and live in Australia here's what you need to know about how to apply for, be assessed and be allocated funding to support you or your loved one to stay at home for longer.

Step to tailored support at home

Step 1: Contact My Aged Care and book your assessment

My Aged Care is the Gateway to Australia’s government-funded aged care system. It helps older Australians access the care and support they need to live independently or receive residential care. It all starts with contacting My Aged Care, who will arrange to meet with you and your carer or loved one to discuss and assess your in-home care needs.

You can contact My Aged Care today by calling them to discuss your eligibility for an assessment on 1800 200 422 or visit www.myagedcare.gov.au.

Step 2: Complete your in-home assessment with My Aged Care

If you are eligible for an assessment a suitable time will be arranged by a friendly My Aged Care assessor who will visit you in your home to understand your care needs and discuss the supports you would benefit from.

Step 3: Receive your notice of decision

After you have completed your in-person assessment with My Aged Care, If you're eligible, you will receive a Notice of Decision and support plan. This will include a summary of your needs and goals, your classification and the amount of funding available for your approved services.

There are 3 types of funding which have been designed to suit different circumstances.

Support at Home Program - The Support at Home program was introduced in November 2025 to replace the Home Care Package program. It was created to give people more choice, greater flexibility, and easier access to the support they need to live safely and independently at home. The Commonwealth Home Support Program will transition to the new program no earlier than 1 July 2027. There are eight levels of funding, each receives a different amount of government funding. The more support you need, the more funding you receive to access the services you need.

Restorative Care Pathway - This pathway replaces the Short Term Restorative Care Program from 1 November 2025. It’s designed to give you short term support for up to 12 weeks with a focus on allied health and nursing care to help regain independence and prevent the need for higher care.

End of Life Support – Starting from 1 November 2025, eligible funding of up to $25,000 for older people with a life expectancy of three months or less used to help you remain in the comfort of your home.

Step 4: Join the Support at Home priority system

There are a maximum amount of Support at Home funding packages available in Australia at one time, so you may be placed on a waiting list. When you receive your funding you will be notified by another letter, and a unique number will be assigned to you.

Step 5: Receive your allocation letter

Once you've been allocated funding, you’ll recieve another letter form My Aged Care letting you know that you can start choosing the provider and services that you would like to recieve.

Step 6: Find an approved provider to provide you with your services

My Aged Care funds aren't paid to you directly. You choose an approved Support at Home provider, like The Benevolent Society, to give you support, advice and manage your funds. If you choose to privately fund your services, your journey would begin here, by finding the right provider.

At The Benevolent Society, we’ve been walking alongside older Australians for more than 100 years — offering care, understanding, and genuine connection every step of the way. We know that everyone’s story is different, and that’s why we take the time to listen and tailor our support to suit your individual needs.

From helping you get started with My Aged Care to designing services that feel right for you and your family, we’re here to make things easier and ensure you feel supported throughout your journey.

When you choose us, our first step is simple but important — we sit down together to understand what matters most to you and create a care plan that helps you reach your goals.

You can view the types of services we provide here or you can call us today for a free and confidential conversation with our Ageing professionals 1800 236 762 .