Access funding

How to access home care service funding

Understanding what services are available and how to access funding are essential to unlocking support to allow you to remain independent in your home for longer.

Step 1: My Aged Care Assessment

My Aged Care is the Federal Government agency responsible for assessing needs and allocating funding for home care support to older Australians. You can get started with My Aged Care in one of three ways:

• Call 1800 200 422
• Visit My Aged Care website
• Contact BlueCare (1300 258 322) who can help guide you through the options and link you with My Aged Care.

If you’re registering on behalf of a loved one, you will need consent and their Medicare number. You’ll be asked questions to help identify what support is needed, and an assessor may be arranged.

During the assessment, your loved one will be asked about health, memory, safety at home, and daily living tasks. Family members are welcome to attend, and the assessor may request referrals and details from your doctor.

In some cases, a financial assessment may also be required, as contributions to care can depend on income.

Step 2: Receive funding

When you first contact My Aged Care, you’ll be guided to one of two funding options – the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or Support at Home, which is focused on providing coordinated care services to support you at home.

CHSP funding can start straight away. For Support at Home, you’ll first be assessed for a funding level and then placed in a national queue. Once a place becomes available, you’ll be allocated your funding and can begin using it with BlueCare. If care is needed urgently, an assessor may recommend CHSP support while you wait for Support at Home funding.

Even if your funding hasn’t been approved yet, we can still help through our fee-for-service options. Call us on 1300 258 322 to find out more, or read our guide to home care services funding and costs.