When Do You Actually Receive Your Home Care Services?

Typical wait times | Other funding types | What happens while you wait 

Posted 28th January 2026   |  8 minute read

Written by Jesse Gramenz

You’ve submitted your assessment, waited, and now you’re wondering: When will support actually begin? With Support at Home, here’s what you can expect in terms of timing and what you can do to move things forward.

Key Stages and Typical Wait Times for Support at Home

This timeline reflects averages—actual experience varies depending on health needs, local availability, and administrative speed. The Support at Home program is also still very new, and these numbers could change due to changes in the market and government availability for funding.

Three Client Examples of wait times for home care

These stories show how timing can vary based on urgency, life changes, and whether someone is already in the system:

Margaret's Journey

Margaret, 82, had a fall and was referred by her GP. She was assessed within 3 weeks and classified as High Priority. 

Her funding was approved after 5 more weeks. After choosing a provider and agreeing on a care plan, her services began within 2 weeks. From referral to care starting: just over 10 weeks.

Sam's Experience

Sam, 76, was managing fine until his wife passed away. He applied for Support at Home through My Aged Care, but as his situation wasn’t marked as urgent, his assessment came after 5 weeks. 

He was classified as Standard Priority and waited nearly 4 months for funding. During this time, he accessed cleaning and meal support through CHSP. Once his funding arrived, it took 3 more weeks to finalise his provider and start services. In total: about 6 months from application to care.

Amina’s Transition

Amina, 87, was already on a Level 2 Home Care Package but needed more help after a stroke. Her daughter applied for a reassessment. Within 2 weeks, she was re-evaluated and placed in the Urgent Priority category under Support at Home. 

Her new classification included access to home modifications and short-term nursing support. Services began just 10 days after her funding was approved. Because she was already with a provider, the transition was quick and smooth.

Step-by-Step Timing Under Support at Home

1. Referral to assessment
After registering with My Aged Care, you'll be referred for an aged care assessment. You'll usually be contacted within 2 to 6 weeks, depending on how urgent your needs are.

2. From assessment to Notice of Decision
Once your assessment is completed, you’ll receive a Notice of Decision and a support plan. This outlines:

• Your care classification
• Approved services
• Any additional supports like assistive technology, home modifications, or end-of-life care, if eligible

You may be able to start receiving some services straight away—especially if you're approved for short-term supports or classified as urgent.

3. Placement in the Priority System
Everyone approved for Support at Home is placed in the Priority System. You're grouped into one of four levels:

• Urgent: fastest access to funding
• High or Medium: moderate wait
• Standard: potentially several months before funding becomes available

Wait times depend on your priority level and approval date.

4. When funding is allocated
Once your long-term funding is approved, you’ll receive a letter. You then have around 56 days to choose a provider and sign a service agreement. Most providers begin services within 1 to 4 weeks of finalising your care plan.

Can you start services before full funding?
Yes, in some cases. If your full Support at Home funding hasn’t come through yet, you might still be able to access interim funding or other short-term services—especially if your needs are urgent.

Other funding types you can get under Support at Home (and when you can get them)

When you're approved but your full services haven’t started yet, there are still ways to get support (especially if it’s urgent).

Ask your assessor or My Aged Care about what interim options are available in your case. If your needs are urgent, your assessor can flag this to fast-track your priority group or refer you to stop-gap services.

What happens while you wait (interim funding explained)

Once you're approved for Support at Home, there’s still a gap before full services begin. During that time, you’re not stuck, but you do need to know what’s possible and what needs action.

Let’s walk through what happens before funding is assigned, and what to do once it is.

While you're waiting: What's possible before full funding

Once you're approved, you're not yet receiving services, but you're not without options. This phase is often the most confusing, because it feels like you’re in limbo. But there are a few important steps you can take, including accessing interim funding.

✅ You may be eligible for interim funding

If there are delays in assigning your full Support at Home budget, the government may issue interim funding to help you get started sooner. This is up to 60% of your full funding, and allows for essential support to begin.

Here’s how it works:

1. You’re assessed and approved for Support at Home.
2. Interim funding is triggered if there’s a hold-up in allocating full services.
3. You’ll be notified (by mail or online) that an interim amount has been made available.
4. You choose a provider and give them your referral code — this allows them to access your plan and funding details.
5. You and the provider finalise a care agreement, and interim services can begin.
6. Once full funding is assigned, your services continue or expand, depending on what’s needed.

This interim step keeps things moving, especially when waiting would leave you without vital support. Not everyone qualifies, but it’s worth asking your assessor or My Aged Care if interim services are available to you.

✅ You can also…

• Use private services in the meantime, if you're waiting for government-funded support to start.
• Research Support at Home providers — so you’re ready to move quickly once funding comes through.
• Log into your My Aged Care account to keep track of your approval, referral codes, and support plan.

When your funding is assigned

Once the government allocates your funding, whether that’s interim or full, you'll receive a clear notification. This means you're now ready to begin services, and there’s a limited window (often 56 days) to take action.

Here’s what to do next:

✅ Contact your preferred provider

Reach out and confirm they’re ready to support you.

✅ Provide your referral code
This lets them access your assessment and start planning your care.

✅ Finalise your care agreement
Together, you’ll agree on the support you’ll receive, how often, and how it fits your preferences, needs, and daily routine.

Tip: Even if you’ve had interim funding, you’ll still need to go through these steps again when full funding is assigned.

Common Bottlenecks & How You Can Act

Delays can happen at several points along the Support at Home process. These are the most common reasons:

• Assessment backlogs: Demand often outpaces assessor availability, particularly after major system changes or funding announcements.
• Insufficient urgency markers: If the assessor isn’t fully aware of how serious your situation is, you may be placed in a lower priority group than needed.
• Incomplete or unclear documentation: Missing medical reports, unclear consent forms, or ambiguous living arrangements can slow down the decision-making process.
• Technical or administrative glitches: My Aged Care systems occasionally experience delays in registering or progressing applications.
• Provider capacity issues: In some areas, especially rural or regional locations, providers may have long waitlists or limited staff.
• Client delays in selecting a provider: After being assigned a package, you have up to 56 days to choose a provider—delays here postpone service start.

What Can Speed Things Up

If you want to move things along as efficiently as possible, here are the key levers you can pull:

• Be proactive in paperwork: Submit all required forms quickly and ensure they’re filled out completely.
• Communicate clearly and consistently: Stay in contact with your assessor and My Aged Care to avoid miscommunication.
• Provide supporting evidence early: Include letters from your GP, hospital, or specialists that reinforce urgency.
• Nominate a representative: If you’re not up to handling the process, a trusted family member or friend can follow up on your behalf.
• Use advocacy services: Community advocates and care finders are familiar with the system and can sometimes cut through red tape.
• Act fast once funding is approved: The sooner you choose a provider and agree on a care plan, the sooner services start.

Parting Thoughts

The path from assessment to active home care is no longer a maze thanks to Support at Home, it’s clearer and more equitable. That said, waits still happen, but knowing the steps, priority tiers, and how to take action gives you agency.

Track each milestone, advocate clearly, and prepare for your next step so you're ready when funding arrives.

You’re not alone in this; we’re here supporting you every step of the way.