Consider an 82-year-old who's managing at home but finding the shopping, cleaning and getting to appointments harder than they used to. A neighbour mentioned Support at Home, but the first question is the one everyone asks: "Am I even eligible?" They don't want to get their hopes up, or start filling in forms, without knowing whether they'd qualify in the first place.
This example is illustrative. Eligibility is determined by the Australian Government, not by Partner with Care.
It's the right place to start. Here's a plain-English guide to who Support at Home is for — with the clear caveat that the final decision always rests with an official assessment, not with any provider.
Who Support at Home is for
Support at Home is the Australian Government program that replaced Home Care Packages on 1 November 2025. It helps older people keep living safely and independently in their own home. As a general guide, it's aimed at people aged 65 and over (or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) who need some help with everyday tasks, personal care or health-related support. The precise rules are set by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
It comes down to an assessment
Eligibility isn't something you decide for yourself, and it isn't about a specific medical diagnosis. It's determined through an aged care assessment arranged via My Aged Care, which looks at the help you need to stay safe and independent at home. That same assessment also sets your funding level, so it shapes both whether you're eligible and how much support you'll receive.
The honest bottom line: if you're an older Australian finding daily life harder to manage on your own, you're likely worth assessing. The only way to know for certain is to be assessed through My Aged Care — and being assessed costs you nothing.
Signs it may be worth applying
People often qualify when everyday living has quietly become harder — struggling with cleaning or cooking, needing help to shower or dress safely, having trouble getting to appointments, or family stepping in more and more to fill the gaps. If that sounds familiar, it's usually worth starting the conversation. Our guide on signs a parent needs more support may help you weigh it up.
What happens once you're eligible
If you're approved, you choose who delivers your care. That's where self-managing comes in: with Partner with Care you can pick your own local worker or provider and keep control of your budget, while we act as the registered provider behind the scenes. When you're ready, our how to apply guide walks through the steps, and what to do while you wait covers the gap before funding starts.