What can and cannot be paid for through Support at Home? 

Self-managed aged care gives you more involvement in choosing workers, arranging services and monitoring your Support at Home budget. 

However, self-management does not mean you can use your funding for any service, product or everyday expense. Your Support at Home budget can only pay for services that appear on the government’s service list and have been approved for you in your support plan.  

Understanding these rules can help you make informed choices and avoid arranging something that cannot be paid for through your funding. 

The Support at Home service list contains three main categories. 

Clinical supports may include: 

Independence services may include: 

Everyday living services may include: 

The service must relate to your assessed aged care needs and appear in your Notice of Decision and support plan. Your care partner then works with you to decide which approved services to include in your care plan and individualised budget.  

You may be able to choose an independent worker or associate provider (external business), but the service itself must still be approved. 

For example, you may choose your own cleaner, gardener, physiotherapist or podiatrist. Your registered Support at Home provider must agree to the arrangement and engage the third-party worker before their services can be paid through your budget.  

Choosing a worker yourself does not automatically make their services eligible for government funding. 

Support at Home funding cannot generally pay for personal costs that are not part of your assessed aged care needs. 

Depending on the service, exclusions may include: 

For example, Support at Home may fund a worker to accompany you to an approved social activity, but it does not generally cover your ticket or membership fee. An allied health professional may support you with an approved exercise program, but your funding cannot usually pay for a general gym membership.  

The exclusions in the service list are examples rather than a complete list, so it is important to confirm eligibility before arranging a service or purchasing an item.  

Assistive technology and home modifications are managed through the separate Support at Home Assistive Technology and Home Modifications Scheme. 

Eligible items must appear on the AT-HM list and relate to an assessed need. This may include approved mobility equipment, bathroom modifications or products that help you remain safe and independent at home. These purchases cannot simply be taken from your ongoing quarterly service budget without the appropriate approval and funding pathway.  

Before asking an independent worker to begin or paying for something yourself, confirm: 

Do not assume an expense can be reimbursed after you have paid it. Your self-management responsibilities, invoice process and reimbursement arrangements need to be agreed with your provider as part of your care plan.  

At Leora Healthcare, we help you understand what your Support at Home funding can cover before you commit to a service. 

You can choose approved services and trusted providers through self-managed aged care, while Leora helps confirm eligibility, explain costs and make sure the arrangement fits within your support plan and available budget. 

Talk to Leora about using your Support at Home funding with greater choice, clarity and confidence.