What You Can (And Can't) Spend Your Support at Home Funding On
Reasons for funding | Included services | Excluded services
Posted 28th October 2025 | 9 minute read
Written by Jesse Gramenz
People want to know: What’s still included? What’s changed? And how do I make sure the essentials aren’t missed?
Let’s get started.
Why are some things funded more than others?
Before we dive into the details, here’s some questions to help frame your thinking:
“If you had to explain to an assessor how this helps your person stay safe and independent—what would you say?”
“What would happen if we didn’t have this?”
“Does this improve their ability to stay at home safely?”
“Would a nurse or OT say this is needed?”
“If this was for a younger, healthy person—would they still need it?”
If your answer ties back to health, safety, or functional independence, it’s probably a fair request. If it sounds like something anyone might want—whether they need care or not—it’s probably out.
Think of Support at Home like a prescription—it only works when it’s linked to a clinical or functional need, not just a preference.
🏛 What the Government Says About What’s In and Out
The Australian Government is clear about the purpose of the Support at Home program. As stated in the official program manual:
“The Support at Home program provides coordinated care and services to meet the assessed ageing-related care needs of eligible older people.”
— Department of Health and Aged Care, Support at Home Program Manual
In practice, this means the program isn’t a blank cheque for every kind of help. Funding is tied to your assessed needs and goals — for example, support with daily living, home safety modifications, allied health, transport, or social connection.
Services that don’t clearly support independence, safety or community connection, or that are funded through other government schemes, are generally not included under Support at Home. Think of it as a program designed to keep you living at home safely and with dignity, rather than to cover every possible convenience service.
Read on:
- How Much Will I Have to Pay for Support at Home?
- What Happens When You Need More Funding?
- Does Medicare Cover Support at Home?
Key services Included Under Support at Home
If your loved one has been assessed and approved, here’s what their funding can cover:
Clinical and Personal Care
- Nursing care: wound care, medication management, continence support
- Allied health: physio, OT, podiatry, speech therapy, dietetics
- Personal care: bathing, dressing, grooming, mobility
Daily Living Support
- Domestic assistance: cleaning, laundry
- Meal prep: help with cooking and nutrition
- Transport: to appointments and community activities
- Social support: companionship and group activities
- Respite: in-home breaks for carers
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications
- Mobility aids, alarms, ramps, grab rails
- Funded separately under AT-HM with assessment approval
Common Services You Can Choose & Why They Qualify (In Detail)
These services are considered essential to maintaining safety, independence, and wellbeing at home.
Depending on your income and assets, you may still need to contribute to the cost of these
Here's what usually gets approved—and why:
Covered | Why It’s Covered |
Help with showering, dressing, or grooming | These are classified as personal care tasks, essential for daily living and safety. |
Domestic assistance (cleaning, laundry, dishes) | Supports basic hygiene and safe living conditions. Limited to essential upkeep—deep cleaning or spring cleans often excluded. |
Meal preparation or assistance with eating | Ensures nutritional needs are met, especially if there are mobility or cognitive challenges. |
Transport to medical appointments | Considered necessary for accessing essential healthcare. Social transport may also be covered in some cases. |
Home modifications (e.g., grab rails, ramps) | Improves mobility and reduces fall risk. Must be assessed and recommended by an OT or similar professional. |
Nursing care (wound care, medication management) | Clinically necessary care provided by qualified nurses. Often essential for people with complex needs. |
Physiotherapy or occupational therapy | Must be part of a care plan and aimed at maintaining or improving function. |
Allied health aids (e.g., walking frames, shower chairs) | Supports mobility, safety and independence. Requires assessment and often pre-approval. |
Light gardening (lawn mowing, pruning for access) | Only where it's required for safe entry/exit or to reduce trip hazards. Cosmetic or aesthetic gardening not included. |
Social support (companionship, group outings) | Helps reduce isolation and supports emotional wellbeing. Can include individual or group services. |
Services Excluded from Support at Home
Support at Home is designed to fund care needs directly related to health, safety, and wellbeing. It does not cover general living expenses, leisure, or lifestyle services—even if those feel essential in daily life. These exclusions are detailed in the Department of Health’s documentation on excluded items (Services Australia – Support at Home).
Support at Home funding cannot be used for:
- Rent, mortgage, utilities — These are considered private living costs.
- Leisure activities or holidays — Personal travel and entertainment are excluded as they are not care-related.
- Pet care — Unless it involves certified assistance animals, pet expenses do not qualify.
- Non-clinical over-the-counter medications — Only prescribed clinical treatments are included.
- Alternative therapies not clinically prescribed — Treatments must be evidence-based and prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Remember: It’s okay to ask for more. More clarity. More time. More support. You’re not being difficult—you’re being thorough.
8 Specific things you can't get with Support at Home funding
1. A new fridge
Even if you *really* wanted the one you can watch the footy on. This goes for other whitegoods, appliances and electronics (like TVs).
What can be funded?
The only exceptions to this are items designed specifically for people who use certain whitegoods that support their clinical needs.
The government gives a couple of examples like:
People who are very frail needing a tipping kettle which doesn’t need to be lifted to pour hot water
A dryer or washing machine for people who suffer from severe incontinence and need to regularly clean their clothes
2. The latest iPhone
Laptops, phones and personal technology devices more broadly can’t be purchased with Support at Home funding.
While some people think that this would be funded on the grounds of social engagement for older people, unfortunately it isn’t. There are some very rare only exceptions to this such as people who are experiencing homelessness or need assistance with medication management, but generally it’s a no go.
What can be funded?
If you were thinking of getting a techonlogy upgrade from a social perspective, there are a variety of other services that Home Care Packages can fund that will help.
Transport support for trips to the shops or groups and events
Social support visits from home care workers who can spend time with you for a cuppa
Find St Vincent's home care near you:
3. A bathroom renovation
Bathroom in need an update? Eyeing off a new deck to replace the back patio?
You might have to look elsewhere, because Support at Home isn’t going to fund it.
Any kinds of renovations like bathroom renos, aesthetic changes like new tiles or vanities won’t be funded under Support at Home. BUT, there are some exceptions for some changes to your home.
What can be funded?
Exceptions to renovations can be modifications to your home for accessibility. The funding includes any professional or clinical advice for making your home more accessible too.
Some accessibility modifications include:
Wider doorways
Ramps for wheelchair access
Non slip flooring
Pull out drawers for the kitcen
Sensor lighting to improve visibility
Accessible shelving
Lower countertops
Rails in the bathroom
4. Already subsidized medical stuff
Anything already covered by other medical subsidy programs, can’t be paid for or covered again through Support at Home.
A few examples include:
Visits to the GP or other specialists already covered by Medicare
Buying PBS medication (antibiotics, blood pressure tablets, insulin etc.)
Continence aids (already funded through the Continence Aids Payment Scheme [CAPS])
Certain assistive technology already funded through government programs
Medical equipment like ventilators, oxygen concentrators or dialysis machines already funded through state health systems
Diabetes management already funded through the National Diabetes Service Scheme (NDSS)
What can be funded?
Other health related consumables can be covered.
Example: If you require wound care supplies, like bandages or special dressings for a chronic condition, these costs can be covered by your Support at Home funding
Other allied health services not covered fully by Medicare can also be paid for under Support at Home:
Podiatry
Physiotherapy
Post-surgery rehab
Occupational Therapy (OT)
And more!
5. Dinner and a movie
While we’re all for you getting out and living your best life, Support at Home won’t fund it. But if you’re assessed to have a need for social support that can be an option for you.
What can be funded?
Support at Home funds can be used to cover the cost of a social support worker who assists you with attending community events or social activities as part of your care plan.
If social isolation is a concern, and you require assistance attending a local seniors' club or group activity, Support at Home funds can cover the cost of a support worker to accompany you.
6. Your yearly cruise to Fiji
Your ‘bula vinaka’ will have to be on your own dime, because Support at Home can’t pay for holidays, accommodation or leisure and travel.
What can be funded?
While slightly less glamorous, if you need transportation to medical appointments or health-related activities, Support at Home funds can be used.
Support at Home funds can cover the cost of a taxi or other transport to get you to a specialist appointment or rehabilitation sessions, ensuring you're staying on top of your care needs.
7. A free trip to the pokies
You can’t use your Support at Home funding for any gambling or anything considered illegal.
What can be funded?
Support at Home funds can be used for social and community engagement activities that enhance well-being and reduce isolation, as long as they are part of your care plan.
You could use Support at Home funds to participate in a community bingo session at a local seniors' center, where the activity helps reduce your isolation and keep you connected in the community.
8. A fresh set of nails at the salon
Any non-care related personal grooming can’t be used under Support at Home. That includes everything from manicures to pedicures to facial treatments to haircuts.
What can be funded?
You can get access to allied health professionals like podiatrists who will be able to help you with any foot related issues you have (they just won’t give you a gloss finish on your nails).
Common Misunderstandings Around Exclusions
It’s easy to assume some everyday needs would be covered—until they’re not. Here are common items that trip people up, with the reason they don’t make the list.
Services that won’t be funded under Support at Home
Not Covered | Why Not? |
Grocery shopping | Considered a general household expense. Only support with shopping tasks may be covered, not the food itself. |
Pet care | Pets are not recognised as care recipients. Exceptions apply only for certified assistance animals. This used to be something that could be funded as a part of care, but not anymore. |
Garden landscaping | General gardening is a home maintenance cost. Only essential light gardening (e.g., lawn mowing, pruning and yard clearance for safe access) can be funded. |
Internet/phone bills | Classified as regular utility expenses. Only tech directly used for clinical monitoring might be covered. |
Holidays/hotel stays | These are personal lifestyle choices, not related to clinical or functional care needs. |
Reiki or massage | Excluded unless prescribed as part of an allied health care plan. Must be evidence-based and professionally delivered. |
If you’re unsure, ask your care manager: “What’s the clinical or safety reason for this request?”
Parting Thoughts
Navigating aged care services can feel overwhelming, but you’re not in this alone. The Support at Home program is a chance to receive more structured and responsive care—if you know how to work with it.
Trust your gut. If something feels off or doesn’t match your person’s needs—say something. That’s how change starts.
📞 Need a Hand?
The team at St Vincent’s Care can walk you through the process, explain what you’re eligible for and help you plan your services. A quick chat can save hours of frustration and give you confidence about your next steps.
Call us today on 1800 960 223
