Understanding Your Support at Home Budget and Services

One of the most empowering aspects of Support at Home is understanding exactly what support you’re entitled to and how your budget works. This knowledge puts you in control of your care decisions and helps you make the most of the services available to you. 

Your Quarterly Budget Explained 

Unlike the previous monthly budget for Home Care Packages, Support at Home provides funding on a quarterly basis, providing access to your full three-month budget at the start of each quarter. This change provides greater flexibility in how you use your services throughout the year. 

Your quarterly budget is determined by your classification level, which ranges from $2,674 (Level 1) to $19,427 (Level 8). Within this budget, 10% is automatically allocated for care management – the crucial support your provider gives you in planning, coordinating, and adjusting your services as needed. 

The beauty of the quarterly system is that you can adapt your service use based on your changing needs. Perhaps you need more support during winter months when mobility is challenging, or extra help during recovery from a health event. The quarterly budget gives you this flexibility without the pressure of monthly spending targets. 

Three Categories of Services 

Support at Home organises services into three clear categories, each with different contribution arrangements: 

• Clinical Supports include nursing care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and other therapeutic services. These services are fully government-funded – you pay nothing for clinical care, recognising that health services are essential for your wellbeing. 

• Independence supports cover personal care, medication assistance, transport, and respite care. These services help you maintain your autonomy while ensuring you receive support for daily activities. Your contribution for these services ranges from 5% to 50% depending on your income and assets. 

• Everyday Living supports include cleaning, gardening, meal preparation, and shopping. These services help to maintain your quality of life and home environment. Contributions for everyday living services range from 17.5% to 80% based on your financial assessment. 

Unspent Funds and Flexibility 

Support at Home allows you to carry over unused funds between quarters, up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget (whichever is greater). This feature recognises that your needs aren’t perfectly predictable and gives you the security of knowing that quiet periods don’t mean lost funding. 

If you’re transitioning from a Home Care Package, you’ll keep all your accumulated unspent funds. These can be used for ongoing services once your quarterly budget is exhausted, or for assistive technology and home modifications if approved. There’s no time limit on using these transition funds, providing valuable security as you adapt to the new system. 

Special Funding Pathways 

Beyond your regular quarterly budget, Support at Home provides access to additional funding through specialised pathways: 

• The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme offers up to $15,000 for equipment and $15,000 for home modifications. This separate funding means you don’t need to sacrifice daily care services to pay for a wheelchair, shower chair, or safety rails. The assessment process determines whether you’re eligible for low (under $500), medium (up to $2,000), or high (up to $15,000) funding tiers. 

• The Restorative Care Pathway provides $6,000 over 16 weeks for intensive allied health services designed to help you regain abilities or manage new conditions. This pathway can be accessed alongside your regular services, providing focused support when you need it most. 

• For those facing end-of-life situations, the End-of-Life Pathway offers $25,000 over 12 weeks specifically for palliative care services, ensuring comfort and dignity during this important time. 

Budget Management Made Simple 

Your budget is held by Services Australia on your behalf, meaning you don’t need to manage the financial administration yourself. Your provider works with you to plan how to spend your budget across your approved services, and you’ll receive monthly itemised statements showing exactly how your funds have been used. 

This arrangement removes the stress of budget management while maintaining transparency about your spending. You maintain choice and control over your services while your provider handles the administrative complexity. 

Working with Your Care Partner 

Your care partner – the dedicated staff member from your provider – plays a crucial role in helping you maximise your budget’s value. They work with you to identify your needs, preferences, and goals, documenting these in a care plan that guides your service delivery. 

At Dovida, our Care Managers conduct regular reviews to ensure your services continue meeting your needs and adjusting your care plan as circumstances change. This ongoing partnership ensures your budget translates into meaningful support that enhances your independence and quality of life. 

Making Informed Choices 

Understanding your budget empowers you to make informed decisions about your care. You may be assessed to receive intensive support for certain periods, then scaled back when you’re managing well independently. You might prioritise everyday living supports during busy family periods, then shift focus to clinical supports when health needs arise. 

The key is that these decisions remain yours, supported by professional guidance but ultimately reflecting your priorities and preferences. Support at Home provides the framework, but you determine how that framework supports the life you want to live.