Support at Home guide
Support at Home assessment, AT-HM and aged care pathways explained
Published 2 October 2026. A plain-English guide for older people, carers and families in Hervey Bay who want to understand assessments, approval letters, assistive technology, home modifications and the main aged care pathways.
For most government-funded aged care support at home, the first step is an aged care assessment through My Aged Care. You can call 1800 200 422. If the person is in hospital, ask the discharge team about aged care assessment and support planning before going home.
Aged care pathways at a glance
Australia's aged care system has several pathways. Which one applies depends on the person's needs, safety, health, support network and assessment outcome.
Commonwealth Home Support Program
Entry-level help with everyday tasks at home, such as domestic assistance, transport, meals, social support and basic home maintenance.
Support at Home
Coordinated in-home aged care for people with ongoing needs. It can include personal care, domestic assistance, social support, transport, nursing, allied health, assistive technology and home modifications when approved.
Transition care
Short-term support after a hospital stay to help an older person recover, rebuild confidence and regain independence.
Residential respite
A short stay in an aged care home, often used when a carer needs a break or extra support is needed for a limited time.
Permanent residential aged care
Accommodation with ongoing personal and nursing care for people who can no longer safely live at home with community supports.
Short-term Support at Home options
Some supports may be approved separately from ongoing Support at Home services. These can help a person stay safer at home, recover function or receive extra care near the end of life.
- Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM): equipment, products and home changes that help with safety, access and independence.
- Restorative Care Pathway: short-term allied health and nursing support to help rebuild or maintain function.
- End-of-Life Pathway: extra care at home for people nearing the end of life.
How to prepare for a Support at Home assessment
The assessment is where the person's real needs should be explained clearly. It helps to be honest and specific, especially about what has changed and what the person can only do with help, supervision or pain.
Apply
Apply online, by phone or in person through My Aged Care. Have the Medicare card ready if available. A family member, friend or supporter can help.
Get ready
Write down current supports, medications, health issues, mobility concerns, falls risks, memory changes and tasks that have become harder.
During the assessment
Explain the person's usual day, not just a good day. Mention showering, dressing, meals, cleaning, shopping, transport, appointments and social connection.
What the assessor looks at
The assessor considers health, mobility, falls risk, memory and thinking, how the person manages at home, current supports, goals and preferences.
Read the outcome
If approved, the person receives a Notice of Decision and support plan. For ongoing Support at Home, funding allocation depends on the priority category and approval date.
If it does not seem right
Read the reasons carefully, keep copies of reports and follow the review instructions in the letter if important needs appear to be missing.
The assessor can only work with the information they have. Be clear about what the person struggles with, what support they already rely on, what has changed recently, and what would help them stay safe and independent at home.
Approved for Support at Home: what happens next?
Approval does not always mean services start immediately. The Notice of Decision and support plan explain what has been approved, and funding may need to become available before ongoing services begin.
Once funding is allocated, the person chooses a registered provider and shares their referral code so the provider can view the support plan. A service agreement is usually completed before services start. If a provider is not found within the required timeframe, the person may need to ask My Aged Care about options or extra time.
Before agreeing to services, families should ask about the care plan, start date, schedule, prices, contributions, cancellation rules, transport arrangements and how changes will be handled.
What is AT-HM?
AT-HM stands for Assistive Technology and Home Modifications. Under Support at Home, AT-HM has separate needs-based funding, rather than coming out of the person's ongoing Support at Home budget.
Assistive technology can include mobility equipment, toileting supports and bathing equipment. Home modifications can include handrails, ramps, stair lifts, bathroom changes and wider doorways or passages.
Funding can also cover related supports, such as a prescription from a suitably qualified health professional where needed, installation, trade services and wraparound support so the person can use the item safely.
AT-HM funding tiers
| Funding tier | Assistive technology | Home modifications |
|---|---|---|
| Low | Under $500 | Under $500 |
| Medium | Up to $2,000 | Up to $2,000 |
| High | Up to $15,000, or more with evidence if needed | Up to $15,000 |
AT-HM funding is generally available for 12 months. High-tier home modification funding may be extended to 24 months if evidence of progress is provided. High-tier home modifications are capped at $15,000 per lifetime, while high-tier assistive technology may go above $15,000 when supported by evidence.
Practical examples of AT-HM
Assistive technology
Walking sticks, walking frames, wheelchairs, commodes, shower chairs, non-slip mats, toileting supports and other approved equipment that matches the assessed need.
Home modifications
Handrails, ramps, stair lifts, bathroom redesign, doorway widening, passage changes and other approved home changes that improve safety and access.
What families can do now
- Keep all My Aged Care letters, assessment notes, support plans and referral codes together.
- Make a simple list of daily tasks that are unsafe, painful, exhausting or no longer possible without help.
- Take photos or notes of home safety issues such as steps, bathrooms, narrow access, trip hazards and transfer difficulties.
- Ask whether assistive technology, home modifications or restorative support should be considered during assessment or review.
- Check all fees, contributions and service agreement details before services begin.
Need practical aged care support in Hervey Bay?
Motion Caring can help with personal care, shopping, appointments, community access, companionship, cleaning and everyday routines across Hervey Bay and surrounding areas. Contact Stewart on 0422 931 681, Nini on 0498 330 815, or email motioncaring@gmail.com.
Official sources
This guide is general information only. For individual aged care advice, assessment outcomes and current program rules, use official government sources: