Being approved for aged care support is an important step. But once approval comes through, many people are left wondering: what can I spend my aged care package on?
This is a common question. Recent aged care changes have made the system more challenging for many older Australians and their families to understand. From 1 November 2025, the Australian Government replaced Home Care Packages with the new Support at Home (SAH) program.
SAH is designed to help older people stay independent at home for longer. It can help pay for services such as personal care, nursing, domestic help, allied health, transport, assistive technology and some home modifications.
There are also rules about what funding cannot be used for. Not every service, purchase or household cost will be approved.
This guide explains what Support at Home funding may cover, what it usually does not cover, and what to consider if your care needs change over time.
What Can I Use My Aged Care Package For? Support at Home at a Glance
Support at Home funding is generally used for services that address assessed care needs and support daily living at home.
What is covered will depend on your assessed needs, your care plan and the type of support you have been approved to receive.
| Generally covered | Generally NOT covered |
| Nursing care (wound care, medication management) | Groceries, food, alcohol |
| Personal care (showering, dressing, grooming and toileting assistance) | Rent, mortgage repayments or general living expenses |
| Domestic assistance (cleaning, laundry and household tasks) | Utility bills such as electricity, gas, water or internet |
| Allied health services (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry and speech pathology) | Holidays, travel and entertainment expenses |
| Transport to appointments, shopping and community activities | Items purchased primarily for comfort, luxury or convenience |
| Assistive technology (mobility aids, safety equipment and communication devices) | Home renovations unrelated to assessed care needs |
| Home modifications that support safety and independence | Medical services already funded through Medicare or private health insurance |
| Social support and community participation services | Gifts, charitable donations or expenses for family members |
This table is a helpful starting point, but it does not answer the most important question: what will your funding cover for you?
That depends on your individual needs, goals and circumstances. Your ACAT assessment helps decide the level of support you receive and the types of services that your care plan may include.
Clarification on ‘Aged Care Package’ vs ‘Support at Home’
You may still hear people talking about an ‘aged care package’ or a ‘home care package’, however, they are usually referring to government-funded support delivered through the revised Support at Home program.
Some people who were already receiving care before the changes may have different arrangements. These are sometimes called grandfathering rules. They help protect certain funding and contribution arrangements during the move to the new system.
The old Home Care Package system had four package levels. Support at Home now has eight ongoing classifications, with funding based on assessed care needs.
There are also separate funding pathways for short-term care, end-of-life care, assistive technology and home modifications. This helps support match a person’s situation more closely.
Understanding the 3 Main Categories of Support at Home Services
SAH services are grouped into three main areas:
- clinical and personal care
- everyday living support
- assistive technology and home modifications
Your access to these services will depend on your assessment and care plan.
In simple terms, funding is directed towards support that helps you remain safe, well and independent at home.
1. Clinical and Personal Care
Clinical and personal care includes support for health needs, mobility and daily personal tasks.
This may include nursing care, medication support, wound care, continence support, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry and speech pathology.
It can also include help with personal care, such as showering, dressing, grooming and toileting.
These services support a person’s health, safety and ability to manage at home. They can also help when other services, such as Medicare-funded care, do not fully meet a person’s ongoing needs.
For families, this kind of support can provide reassurance that your loved one is receiving regular care where it is needed most.
2. Everyday Living Support
Everyday living support helps with the practical tasks that make it easier to continue living at home.
This could cover cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, transport to appointments, shopping assistance, social support, respite care and some light gardening or yard maintenance.
This is an area where there can be confusion.
Support at Home may fund help with shopping, but it does not usually pay for the groceries themselves. It may fund help with meal preparation, but not the general cost of food.
Cleaning may be funded when it supports safe and independent living. However, large spring cleans or major cleaning projects are generally not included.
Gardening support is usually focused on safety and access. For example, keeping pathways clear may be considered differently from landscaping or redesigning a garden.
The key question is whether the support helps the person stay safe and independent at home.
3. Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme
The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme can help make daily life safer and easier.
Under Support at Home, this area has a separate funding pathway. This means eligible equipment and approved modifications do not usually come out of a person’s regular quarterly care budget.
Assistive technology may include items such as walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, pressure-relief equipment and communication devices.
Home modifications may include grab rails, ramps, accessible bathroom changes and other adjustments that improve safety and access.
The support must be linked to an assessed care need. It needs to help the person remain safe, mobile and independent at home.
For example, replacing a bathroom because it looks old would not usually be covered. Changing a bathroom to improve access and reduce the risk of falls may be considered if it is recommended through an assessment.
An occupational therapist or another qualified health professional may be involved in this process. Once approved, the person will receive information about what funding is available and what supports have been approved through a Notice of Decision.
What You Can’t Spend Your Aged Care Package On
It is just as important to understand what is not covered.
Support at Home funding is not designed to pay for general living costs, lifestyle purchases or expenses that are not linked to assessed care needs.
Here are the categories that aren’t funded under Support at Home.
| Not covered | Why it’s not covered |
| Groceries, takeaway meals and alcohol | Support at Home may fund help with shopping or meal preparation, but not the cost of food or beverages themselves |
| Rent, mortgage repayments and utility bills | These are considered normal living expenses rather than aged care services |
| Holidays, travel and entertainment | These costs are not directly related to assessed care needs or maintaining independence at home |
| Cosmetic home renovations | Funding is limited to accessibility- and safety-related modifications, not aesthetic upgrades or home improvements |
| Landscaping and decorative gardening | Gardening support is intended to maintain safety and accessibility, not improve appearance |
| General household upgrades and furniture | Standard household purchases are considered personal expenses unless they form part of an approved assistive technology solution |
| Medical services already funded by Medicare | Government funding cannot generally be duplicated for the same service through multiple programs |
| Gym memberships and fitness subscriptions | These are usually considered personal lifestyle expenses rather than approved care services |
| Gifts, donations or expenses for family members | Funding must directly benefit the approved participant and their assessed care needs |
| Luxury or convenience items | Purchases must support safety, independence, mobility or clinical needs rather than personal preference |
A helpful way to think about it is this: does the service or item help you stay safe, well and independent at home?
If the answer is no, it is unlikely to be funded.
Even when something seems reasonable, approval will depend on your assessment, your care plan and the Support at Home service rules.
What Spending Might Look Like in Real Life
Every person’s Support at Home plan is different.
The services you receive will depend on your needs, your goals and the support approved in your care plan. Still, it can help to see how funding may be used in everyday life.
Margaret is a 79-year-old widow and lives alone in her own home. She is mostly independent, but everyday tasks have become harder over the past year.
Arthritis makes housework difficult. She has had a minor fall in the garden. She also relies on family members to take her to medical appointments.
Margaret’s Support at Home funding may be used for a mix of services.
Some funding may go towards everyday living support. This could include a cleaner visiting each fortnight, transport to appointments and help with shopping.
She may also receive some support around the home and garden to keep access areas safe.
Another part of her funding may be used for clinical and personal care. This could include physiotherapy to support strength and mobility, nursing support for medication management or personal care if her needs increase.
Separately, Margaret may also qualify for funding through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) Scheme. An occupational therapist might recommend grab rails in the bathroom, a shower chair or a mobility aid to reduce her risk of falls.
These supports may be funded through the separate assistive technology and home modifications pathway, rather than her regular care budget.
For many people, Support at Home includes a combination of practical help, health-related care, equipment and safety changes. Together, these supports can help daily life feel more manageable.
Not Sure What Comes Next? TriCare Can Help
The aged care system can be confusing, especially because funding rules, services and care needs have changed.
You do not need to work through it alone. TriCare supports families across residential aged care, respite care and retirement living.
If you are still unsure about what you can spend your aged care package on, whether home support is still enough or whether it may be time to consider a different level of care, our team can talk you through the options in a clear and practical way.
We can help you understand what each option involves, what costs to expect and what kind of care environment may best support you or your loved one.
Get in touch or find a TriCare residence near you today.
