Home and Community Care (HACC) is designed to assist people with the greatest need and aims to maximise people’s independence.
You may be eligible for Home And Community Care if:
For further information or to apply for services please contact our friendly and helpful team today!
The Support at Home program and the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) both help older people live independently and safely at home. However, they are designed for different levels of need.
The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) provides entry‑level support for people who need a small amount of help with everyday tasks. With CHSP, you:
The Support at Home program is designed for people who need ongoing or more coordinated support. With Support at Home:
My Aged Care is the government gateway for all aged care needs, including assessment and information on aged care support and programs across Australia. They should be your first point of contact.
Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or use their website www.myagedcare.gov.au
An aged care assessment is arranged through My Aged Care and is usually completed by a trained health professional, such as a nurse, social worker or other assessor.
During the assessment, the assessor will talk with you about how you are managing day to day, including your health, mobility, safety at home, and any support you already receive. The assessment is a conversation, not a test, and is designed to understand what support would help you live safely and independently at home.
Based on your assessed needs, the assessor will determine whether you are eligible for support through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) or the Support at Home program (SaH). You may also be asked whether you would like approvals for other services, such as residential respite care, if needed in the future.
In some situations, if living at home is no longer safe or suitable, the assessment can also help determine your eligibility for care in a residential aged care facility.
Can I have someone with me during the assessment?
Yes. It’s a good idea to have someone you trust with you during the assessment. This could be a friend, family member, partner, carer or advocate.
If you would like support from an independent advocate, you can contact the National Aged Care Advocacy Line on 1800 700 600.
The Support at Home (SAH) program provides different levels of support based on your individual needs.
Following your My Aged Care assessment, you will be approved for one of eight Support at Home levels, depending on how much help you need to stay safe, comfortable and independent in your own home. Some people may need only occasional assistance, while others may need more regular or ongoing support.
Your approved level determines the amount of support available to you and the services you can access. Belong at Home can only deliver the services you have been approved to receive through My Aged Care.
Support at Home services are grouped into three main service categories.
Support to help you manage daily activities and remain independent at home, including:
Health‑related care delivered by qualified professionals, including:
Practical support to help you manage your home and daily tasks, including:
In addition to ongoing support, the Support at Home program also includes three short‑term support pathways for specific situations:
If you are recovering from illness, need additional support at the end of life, or want help to regain independence, one of these short‑term pathways may also be approved alongside your ongoing Support at Home level.
If you’ve been assessed by My Aged Care and approved for aged care services, the Australian Government will subsidise most of the cost. What you pay depends on:
In most cases, the government covers the majority of the cost, and you’ll pay a contribution towards your services.
If paying your contribution causes financial difficulty, you can apply for a hardship provision. This allows for a reduction or waiver of fees in special circumstances, ensuring you can still access the care you need.
To apply for hardship assistance:
To access government‑funded support services to help you stay at home, you need to register with My Aged Care, which is the Australian Government’s main entry point for aged care services.
You can register in one of the following ways:
When you register, you will be asked some questions about your health, wellbeing and how you are managing day to day at home. This information helps My Aged Care decide whether you need an aged care assessment and what type of support may be suitable for you.
If needed, My Aged Care will arrange an aged care assessment, usually in your home, to better understand your needs. Based on the assessment outcome, you may be approved for services through the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) or the Support at Home Program (SaH).
Once you are approved, you can choose a service provider, such as Belong at Home 1300 901 790, to deliver the services you have been approved to receive. Your Care Partner or Client Service Coordinator can also help guide you through the registration and assessment process.
Switching to Belong at Home is straightforward, and you can change providers at any time.
If you are already receiving services through My Aged Care, you do not need a new assessment to switch providers. Your approved services and funding move with you.
To switch to Belong at Home:
Your government funding and any unspent funds transfer with you, and there are no exit fees for changing providers. Services can be planned so there is no break in your care.
If you are new to My Aged Care, Belong at Home can also help guide you through the registration and assessment process before starting services.
Step by step guide to assist you to download the Sandwai Home Support App to your phone to view your upcoming services.
Yes. You can help arrange support for your parents to stay at home.
If your parent agrees, you can speak to My Aged Care on their behalf to help register them, arrange an assessment and discuss support options. Your parent will need to give consent for you to speak for them, either during the call or by nominating you as their registered supporter with My Aged Care.
Once registered, My Aged Care may arrange an aged care assessment to understand your parent’s needs and determine what services they are eligible for. You can be present during the assessment if your parent would like your support.
If your parent is approved for services, they can then choose a provider, such as Belong at Home, to deliver the services they have been approved to receive. If needed, your parent can also formally appoint you as a registered supporter to help communicate with My Aged Care, assessors and service providers on an ongoing basis.
If your parent is unable to give consent, legal authority may be required for you to act on their behalf, such as guardianship or an enduring power of attorney. My Aged Care can explain what documentation is needed in this situation.
Yes. Belong at Home services are subsidised under the State and Federal Governments through My Aged Care programs, including the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and the Support at Home program (SaH).
If you are approved for government‑funded services, the government pays part of the cost of your care. Most clients are asked to make a contribution towards the cost of services, based on the type of support you receive and your individual circumstances.
Any fees or contributions will be discussed with you before services begin, so you understand what is covered and what you may need to pay.
Belong at Home can only deliver the services you have been approved to receive through My Aged Care.
