On 1 July 2025, the Australian Government introduced the Support at Home program — the most significant reform to aged care funding in decades.Replacing the previous Home Care Package (HCP) system. Support at Home is designed to give older Australians greater choice, control, and flexibility over the care and services they receive at home. If …
On 1 July 2025, the Australian Government introduced the Support at Home program — the most significant reform to aged care funding in decades.Replacing the previous Home Care Package (HCP) system. Support at Home is designed to give older Australians greater choice, control, and flexibility over the care and services they receive at home.
If you or a loved one is navigating this new program — or transitioning from an existing Home Care Package — you may be wondering what services are covered, how physiotherapy fits in, and how to access the care you need.
At Bayside Mobile Physio, we work closely with Support at Home providers and care managers across Greater Sydney to deliver in-home physiotherapy for older adults. This guide explains everything you need to know about the Support at Home program and how physiotherapy can help you stay safe, mobile, and independent at home.
What is the Support at Home Program?
The Support at Home program is the Australian Government’s new framework for delivering aged care services to older Australians who wish to remain living in their own homes. It replaces the previous Home Care Package program and the Short-Term Restorative Care program from 1 July 2025.
The program is designed to:
- Provide older Australians with greater choice and control over their care
- Make it easier to access a wider range of services and supports
- Reduce waiting times for care
- Support people to remain living independently at home for as long as possible
- Provide better support for people approaching end of life
Under Support at Home, eligible older Australians receive a budget allocation that can be used to purchase a range of approved services — including allied health services such as physiotherapy.
Who is Eligible for Support at Home?
The Support at Home program is available to older Australians who:
- Are aged 65 years or over — or 50 years or over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Have been assessed as needing support to remain living at home
- Are not receiving equivalent support through another government program
To access Support at Home, you need to be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) or a My Aged Care assessor. If you are currently receiving a Home Care Package, you will be transitioned to the Support at Home program — you do not need to reapply.
If you have not yet been assessed, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au to begin the process.
What Services Does Support at Home Cover?
Support at Home covers a wide range of services designed to help older Australians remain safe and independent at home. These include:
- Allied health services — including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, and speech pathology
- Personal care — assistance with bathing, dressing, and grooming
- Domestic assistance — cleaning, laundry, and meal preparation
- Home modifications — installation of grab rails, ramps, and other safety modifications
- Assistive technology — equipment to support independence and safety at home
- Social support — assistance with transport, social activities, and community participation
- Nursing care — wound care, medication management, and health monitoring
- Respite care — short-term care to support family carers
Your Support at Home budget is allocated based on your individual needs and goals — not a one-size-fits-all package. The amount of funding you receive depends on your assessed level of need.
How Does Physiotherapy Fit Into the Support at Home Program?
Physiotherapy is one of the most valuable allied health services available under the Support at Home program. In-home physiotherapy directly supports the program’s core goal — helping older Australians maintain their independence and remain living safely at home for as long as possible.
Physiotherapy under Support at Home can include:
- Falls risk assessment and prevention programs — identifying and addressing the factors contributing to falls risk in your home environment
- Mobility and walking programs — improving your ability to move safely around your home and community
- Strength and balance training — building the physical capacity needed to perform daily activities safely and independently
- Post-hospital rehabilitation — supporting recovery following hospitalisation, surgery, or illness
- Pain management — addressing chronic pain that limits your daily function and independence
- Reablement programs — helping you regain skills and independence following a decline in function
What is Reablement and Why is it Important?
One of the key features of the Support at Home program is its emphasis on reablement — a goal-oriented approach to care that focuses on helping people regain skills and independence rather than simply maintaining their current level of function.
Reablement physiotherapy works by:
- Setting specific, measurable goals — for example, being able to walk to the letterbox independently or climb stairs safely
- Designing a structured program of exercises and activities to achieve those goals
- Monitoring progress and adjusting the program as goals are achieved
- Reducing reliance on care services over time as independence improves
Reablement is time-limited — typically 12 weeks — and is designed to achieve the maximum possible improvement in your function and independence. At Bayside Mobile Physio, our physiotherapists are experienced in delivering reablement programs aligned with Support at Home goals and outcomes.
How to Access Physiotherapy Through Support at Home
Accessing physiotherapy through the Support at Home program is straightforward. Here’s how the process works:
Step 1 — Be assessed and approved If you haven’t already, contact My Aged Care to arrange an assessment. If you’re already receiving a Home Care Package, you will be transitioned to Support at Home automatically.
Step 2 — Work with your case manager Your Support at Home provider will assign you a case manager who will work with you to develop a care plan based on your goals and needs. Discuss your physiotherapy goals with your case manager and ask for physiotherapy to be included in your care plan.
Step 3 — Choose your physiotherapy provider Under Support at Home you have the right to choose your own allied health providers. You are not required to use a provider chosen by your Support at Home organisation — you can select any approved provider you prefer.
Step 4 — Make a referral Your case manager can make a referral to your chosen physiotherapy provider on your behalf, or you can contact the provider directly. At Bayside Mobile Physio, we work directly with Support at Home case managers across Greater Sydney to make the referral process as straightforward as possible.
Step 5 — Begin your physiotherapy program Once your referral is received and confirmed, we will contact you to arrange your first home visit. We typically commence within 48–72 hours of receiving a referral.
What Should I Tell My Case Manager?
When discussing physiotherapy with your Support at Home case manager, here are some key points to raise:
- Tell them about any specific physical problems you are experiencing — pain, difficulty walking, falls, or reduced ability to perform daily tasks
- Mention any recent falls or near misses
- Discuss your goals — what would you like to be able to do that you currently struggle with?
- Ask whether physiotherapy is included in your current care plan and budget allocation
- Ask for a referral to Bayside Mobile Physio for in-home physiotherapy across Greater Sydney
How Bayside Mobile Physio Supports Support at Home Clients
At Bayside Mobile Physio, we have extensive experience working with Support at Home clients and their care managers across Greater Sydney. We understand the documentation requirements, reporting standards, and goal-oriented approach required under the Support at Home program — and we make the process as straightforward as possible for both clients and care teams.
Our AHPRA-registered physiotherapists visit clients at home, in aged care facilities, and in group homes across Western Sydney, the Inner West, South Sydney, and surrounding areas. We provide:
- Comprehensive initial assessments with clear goal setting
- Personalised physiotherapy programs aligned with Support at Home outcomes
- Prompt, concise progress notes and reports
- Direct communication with your case manager throughout the program
- Commencement within 48–72 hours of referral
Frequently Asked Questions
I currently have a Home Care Package — what happens to my physiotherapy under Support at Home?
- If you are currently receiving physiotherapy through a Home Care Package, your services will continue when you transition to Support at Home. Your case manager will work with you to ensure continuity of care through the transition.
Can I choose my own physiotherapy provider under Support at Home?
- Yes — under Support at Home you have the right to choose your own allied health providers. You can select Bayside Mobile Physio regardless of which Support at Home organisation manages your care.
How many physiotherapy sessions will I be able to access?
- The number of sessions available depends on your individual Support at Home budget allocation and care plan. Your case manager can advise on what is included in your budget. At Bayside Mobile Physio, we work with your case manager to design a program that achieves the best outcomes within your budget.
Does Support at Home cover the cost of a physiotherapy assessment?
- Yes — initial assessments are covered under your Support at Home allied health budget. There are no out-of-pocket costs for approved Support at Home services when using an approved provider.
How do I get started with Bayside Mobile Physio under Support at Home?
- Ask your Support at Home case manager to make a referral to Bayside Mobile Physio, or contact us directly. We’ll liaise with your care manager and have a physiotherapist visiting you at home within 48–72 hours.
Are you or a loved one receiving Support at Home services in Greater Sydney? Contact Bayside Mobile Physio today — we’ll work with your case manager to arrange in-home physiotherapy and help you achieve your independence goals at home.
