Support at Home Program in New South Wales & Queensland
Complete Allied Health Care (CAHC) is a registered allied health provider delivering services under the new Support at Home program — the Australian Government’s aged care home support program that replaced the former Home Care Package framework from 1 July 2025. If you were previously on a Home Care Package, your care continues seamlessly under the new program.
CAHC delivers allied health services to older Australians at home, in aged care residential facilities, and in clinic — across 24 locations in Greater Sydney & Queensland. All 9 allied health disciplines are available, including Physiotherapy, Exercise Physiology, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Speech Pathology, Dietetics, Podiatry, Massage Therapy, and Chiropractic, so older adults and their families can access coordinated, multi-disciplinary care without changing providers.
How Does the Support at Home Program Work?
Older Australians access the Support at Home program through My Aged Care — call 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au to register and request an assessment.
Following registration, an assessment is conducted by either the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) — for people with more complex or higher care needs — or the Regional Assessment Service (RAS) for those requiring lower-level support.
After assessment, participants are allocated a support budget across approved care categories. Allied health therapy supports are funded under the relevant support categories within the SAH framework.
Participants can choose their own registered service providers — CAHC is a registered allied health provider under the Support at Home program.
What Are Participant Contributions Under Support at Home?
The new Support at Home program includes a means-tested participant contribution for some services. Participant contributions vary based on individual financial circumstances. Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or speak with CAHC’s intake team for information specific to your situation.
Previously on a Home Care Package?
If you were receiving a Home Care Package before 1 July 2025, you have been automatically transitioned to the new Support at Home program. You do not need to reapply. Your CAHC allied health services continue under the new program. Contact CAHC on 1800 00 CAHC or speak with your care coordinator if you have any questions about your transition.
Allied Health Services Under Support at Home
CAHC’s allied health team provides a broad range of services to older Australians under the Support at Home program — in your home, at your aged care facility, or at one of our 24 clinics across Greater Sydney & Queensland.
Service eligibility and coverage under the Support at Home program depend on your individual assessment and approved support categories. Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or CAHC’s intake team to confirm which services are available under your current plan.
Physiotherapy CAHC Physiotherapists support older adults with mobility, strength, balance, falls risk management, and recovery from illness or surgery — at home, in aged care facilities, and in clinic. Whether following hospitalisation, managing a chronic condition, or looking to maintain functional independence, our Physiotherapy team works with each person toward their individual goals. AHPRA registered.
Occupational Therapy CAHC Occupational Therapists provide home modification assessments, assistive technology prescription, functional capacity assessments, and support for activities of daily living for older adults. Occupational Therapy is one of the most commonly funded allied health disciplines under aged care programs. AHPRA registered.
Exercise Physiology ESSA-accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) deliver supervised exercise programs for older adults managing chronic conditions, deconditioning, falls risk, and long-term health and activity goals. Exercise Physiology sessions are available in clinic, at home, and in community settings.
Speech Pathology CAHC Speech Pathologists support older adults experiencing communication difficulties following stroke or other neurological conditions, and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) — a common and clinically significant presentation in aged care settings. Assessment and management can be delivered at home or in an aged care facility. Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) member.
Podiatry CAHC Podiatrists provide foot and lower limb care for older adults, including diabetic foot monitoring, nail and skin care, and orthotic prescription. Regular Podiatry care is particularly important for participants managing diabetes, reduced mobility, or circulation concerns. AHPRA registered.
Dietetics CAHC Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) support older adults with nutritional needs including malnutrition prevention, texture-modified diet planning (in conjunction with our Speech Pathology team), diabetes management, and weight-related health concerns. Dietitians Australia member.
Psychology CAHC Psychologists support older adults experiencing depression, anxiety, adjustment to illness or changed circumstances, grief, and cognitive change — available in person and via telehealth. AHPRA registered.
Massage Therapy Remedial massage is available to older adults for muscle tension, comfort care, and general well-being. AAMT member.
Not sure which services are right for you or your family member? Contact CAHC — we will connect you with the right practitioner and help you understand what is available under your Support at Home plan.
Home Visits and On-Site Facility Services
CAHC allied health practitioners visit participants in their own homes across Greater Sydney & Queensland. Services are delivered to the same clinical standard as in-clinic appointments — with no requirement for the participant to travel. For older adults who find travel difficult or prefer to receive care in a familiar environment, home visits are a genuine and valued option.
CAHC practitioners also provide on-site services at aged care residential facilities. Facility managers can contact CAHC to arrange a regular visiting schedule, with practitioners from multiple disciplines attending the facility on a coordinated timetable.
Home visits can include:
- Physiotherapy assessment and therapy, including exercise programs and mobility support
- Occupational Therapy home modification assessments, assistive technology prescription, and daily living support
- Speech Pathology swallowing assessments (dysphagia) and communication support
- Podiatry foot care, diabetic foot monitoring, and nail care
- Dietetics nutritional assessment and meal planning support
- Exercise Physiology programs designed for the home environment
- Psychology sessions (in person and telehealth where preferred)
Telehealth is also available for applicable disciplines where an in-person visit is not possible or preferred.
Other Funding Streams for Aged Care Allied Health
The Support at Home program is not the only pathway to allied health care at CAHC for older Australians. Several other funding streams may also apply, and in some cases more than one may be available to the same participant.
DVA (Department of Veterans’ Affairs)
- Gold Card holders: all clinically necessary allied health services at CAHC are covered — no out-of-pocket cost for eligible services.
- White Card holders: covered for accepted service-related conditions.
- DVA-funded allied health can be delivered at home, in aged care facilities, or in clinic.
- A D904 referral form is required — available from your GP or specialist.
Medicare Chronic Disease Management (CDM): Older adults with a chronic condition lasting 6 months or more may be eligible for up to 5 allied health sessions per calendar year under a GP Chronic Disease Management plan. Rebate amounts are subject to change — confirm current rates with your GP or CAHC. CDM funding and Support at Home funding may both be available to the same participant — speak with your GP and care coordinator about how to make the most of your entitlements.
NDIS: Some older Australians hold NDIS plans in addition to accessing aged care supports. The two programs operate separately and fund different types of support. Participants managing both NDIS and Support at Home funding should speak with their NDIS support coordinator and their SAH care coordinator about how services interact. Do not rely on this page for specific guidance on dual funding — individual circumstances vary significantly.
Private Health Insurance: Some aged care allied health services may attract a rebate under Extras cover, depending on your fund and level of cover. Check with your fund for your specific entitlements.
For Families and Older Adults — How to Get Started
Accessing allied health under the Support at Home program is straightforward. Here is the step-by-step pathway:
Step 1 — Contact My Aged Care The first step is always My Aged Care — the Australian Government’s entry point for all aged care services. Call 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au to register and request an assessment. This assessment determines your eligibility for the Support at Home program and your approved support budget. CAHC is a service provider — we deliver the allied health services; My Aged Care and the assessment teams determine eligibility and budgets.
Step 2 — Assessment Following registration, an assessor from the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) or Regional Assessment Service (RAS) will conduct a face-to-face assessment — at home or in hospital. They will identify your support needs and recommend an appropriate level of Support at Home funding across approved care categories.
Step 3 — Choose CAHC as Your Provider Once you have received your assessment outcome, you can choose CAHC as your allied health provider. Contact your nearest CAHC clinic, call our intake team, or submit the Support at Home referral form on this page.
Step 4 — Service Agreement CAHC will provide a service agreement outlining the services to be delivered, the rates (including any participant contribution that applies to your circumstances), and the service conditions — as required under the Aged Care Quality Standards. You or your authorised representative will countersign the agreement before services commence.
Step 5 — Services Begin Your first appointment includes a clinical assessment with your CAHC practitioner to understand your goals, your current functional capacity, and how your Support at Home funding categories apply to your care needs. A therapy plan aligned with your approved support categories is developed at or following this first session.
Family members and carers are welcome to be present at all appointments. We work with the whole care team — not just the participant.
For Aged Care Facility Managers and Coordinators
CAHC provides on-site allied health services at aged care residential facilities. A regular visiting schedule can be arranged for multiple disciplines, reducing the logistical burden on facility staff while ensuring residents receive timely, consistent care from a single trusted provider network.
Disciplines available for on-site facility visits:
- Physiotherapy — mobility support, falls prevention, post-hospitalisation rehabilitation
- Occupational Therapy — functional assessments, assistive technology, home modification guidance for residents
- Speech Pathology — dysphagia (swallowing) assessment and management, communication support for residents with stroke, dementia, or neurological conditions
- Podiatry — routine foot care, diabetic foot monitoring, nail and skin management
- Dietetics — nutritional assessment and texture-modified diet planning in conjunction with Speech Pathology
- Exercise Physiology — group and individual exercise programs for residents with chronic conditions or deconditioning
How to arrange on-site services: Contact CAHC’s intake team directly to discuss your facility’s needs, the disciplines required, resident numbers, and a proposed visiting schedule. Funding for individual residents can be billed through Support at Home, DVA, Medicare CDM, NDIS, or private health, depending on each resident’s individual funding arrangements.
For GPs and Medical Referrers
GPs and geriatricians can refer older patients to CAHC for aged care allied health through a number of pathways. A Medicare Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan provides up to 5 allied health sessions per calendar year for eligible patients with a chronic condition of 6 months or more — rebate amounts are subject to change, so confirm current rates with Services Australia. For eligible veterans, a DVA D904 referral form allows access to covered allied health services with no out-of-pocket cost. For private patients, a standard referral letter is sufficient.
For patients currently on the Support at Home program, CAHC’s services align with SAH-approved support categories. GPs do not need to navigate the SAH system directly — CAHC’s intake team manages the SAH paperwork and service agreement on behalf of the patient.
CAHC’s multi-disciplinary model means a GP can refer once and the patient can access Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Dietetics, Podiatry, Psychology, and Exercise Physiology within the same provider network — reducing the administrative load on both the GP practice and the patient’s family.
Submit a referral
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Support at Home program is the Australian Government’s primary aged care home support program for older Australians, administered through My Aged Care. The program is designed to help older Australians who want to continue living at home access the services and supports they need to maintain their independence, health, and wellbeing.
The Support at Home program replaced the former Home Care Package (HCP) Level 1–4 system effective 1 July 2025. If you were previously receiving a Home Care Package, you have been automatically transitioned to the new Support at Home program and do not need to re-apply. Your services continue uninterrupted under the new framework.
The first step is to contact My Aged Care — the Australian Government’s entry point for all aged care services. Call 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au to register and request an assessment. An assessor from ACAT or RAS will conduct a face-to-face assessment to identify your support needs and allocate an appropriate Support at Home budget across your approved care categories. Once you have received your assessment outcome and your SAH budget is confirmed, you can choose CAHC as your allied health provider. CAHC does not conduct the government assessment — My Aged Care is always the starting point.
If you were receiving a Home Care Package before 1 July 2025, you have been automatically transitioned to the new Support at Home program. You do not need to reapply or go through a new assessment. Your CAHC allied health services continue under the new program. The former Home Care Package Level 1–4 categories no longer exist — the Support at Home classification and budget framework has replaced them. If you have questions about how your services or funding have changed, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or speak with CAHC’s intake team directly.
CAHC provides a broad range of allied health services to older Australians under the Support at Home program, subject to each participant’s individual assessment and approved support categories. Available disciplines include Physiotherapy (mobility, strength, falls risk management, post-surgical recovery), Occupational Therapy (home modifications, assistive technology, functional capacity assessments), Exercise Physiology (chronic condition management, deconditioning, group and individual programs), Speech Pathology (swallowing/dysphagia assessment and management, communication support), Podiatry (diabetic foot care, nail care, orthotics), Dietetics (nutritional assessment, texture-modified diet planning, diabetes management), and Psychology (depression, anxiety, adjustment, grief, cognitive change). Contact CAHC to confirm which services are available under your current plan.
Yes. CAHC allied health practitioners visit participants in their own homes across Greater Sydney & Queensland. Home visits are available for Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Podiatry, Dietetics, Exercise Physiology, and Psychology (in person and telehealth). Services delivered at home are provided to the same clinical standard as in-clinic appointments. To request a home visit, contact your nearest CAHC clinic or call our intake team.
Yes. CAHC provides on-site allied health services at aged care residential facilities across Greater Sydney & Queensland. Disciplines available on-site include Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Podiatry, Dietetics, and Exercise Physiology. Facility managers can contact CAHC’s intake team to arrange a regular visiting schedule. Services for individual residents can be funded through Support at Home, DVA, Medicare CDM, NDIS, or private health depending on each resident’s funding arrangements.
The cost of Support at Home allied health services depends on each participant’s individual assessment outcome and their means-tested participant contribution level. The new Support at Home program includes a participant contribution for some services, which is calculated based on financial circumstances and assessed by the Australian Government. CAHC will discuss costs clearly and provide a service agreement before services begin. For information about your specific participant contribution level, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au. CAHC’s intake team can also help you understand what is covered under your plan.
Yes. Falls prevention is a central focus of CAHC’s aged care allied health services. Our Physiotherapy team supports older adults with strength, balance, and mobility programs designed to help them move more safely and confidently at home and in their community. Our Exercise Physiology team delivers structured exercise programs targeting the conditioning factors that contribute to falls risk. Occupational Therapists can assess the home environment for fall hazards and recommend modifications to reduce risk. Programs are tailored to each individual’s goals and functional capacity — CAHC supports older adults in working toward their own strength and safety targets.
Yes. CAHC Speech Pathologists assess and manage swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) in older adults. Dysphagia is common following stroke, neurological conditions, and in advanced age, and can have significant impacts on nutrition, hydration, and quality of life. CAHC Speech Pathologists work closely with the CAHC Dietetics team to ensure texture-modified diets are appropriately planned and communicated to carers and facility staff. Assessment and management can be conducted at home, in an aged care facility, or in clinic.
CAHC has practitioners who speak Vietnamese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Norwegian, and Laotian. For participants whose primary language is not English, CAHC also works with TIS National interpreter services where required. Language availability varies by clinic location and discipline — contact your nearest CAHC clinic to confirm which languages are available for your preferred service and location.
Some older Australians hold both NDIS plans and access Support at Home services. The two programs operate separately, fund different types of supports, and are administered by different government bodies. Because the interaction between NDIS and Support at Home funding is complex and depends on individual plan goals and assessment outcomes, participants managing both programs should speak with their NDIS support coordinator and their Support at Home care coordinator to understand how their services interact. CAHC is registered under both programs and can work with both care teams.
Yes. DVA Gold Card holders are covered for all clinically necessary allied health services at CAHC, including services delivered at home, in aged care facilities, and in clinic — with no out-of-pocket cost for eligible services. DVA White Card holders are covered for services related to accepted service-related conditions. A D904 referral form is required for DVA allied health referrals — this is available from your GP or specialist. Rebate amounts and conditions may vary; confirm current DVA entitlements with your GP or DVA.
GPs can refer older patients to CAHC through a Medicare Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan (up to 5 sessions per calendar year for eligible chronic conditions), a DVA referral (D904 form for eligible veterans), or a standard referral letter for private patients. Aged care facility managers and care coordinators can contact CAHC’s intake team directly to arrange on-site or clinic-based services for their residents. Participants and families can also self-refer by contacting CAHC via phone, the website, or the Support at Home referral form on this page. CAHC will confirm Support at Home funding arrangements and service agreement details before the first appointment.
Participants in the Support at Home program have rights under the Aged Care Act, including the right to choose their own service provider, the right to be treated with dignity and respect, the right to receive services as agreed in their service agreement, and the right to make a complaint if services do not meet the agreed standard. For information about your rights as a Support at Home participant, visit myagedcare.gov.au. For complaints about aged care services, contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission on 1800 951 822. CAHC also welcomes direct feedback and has an internal complaints and feedback process — contact our team if you have a concern, and we will respond promptly.
Related Services
Explore the CAHC services most relevant to aged care and Support at Home participants:
- Physiotherapy → Falls prevention, mobility, post-surgical rehabilitation and chronic condition management
- Occupational Therapy → Home modification assessments, assistive technology, and functional capacity assessments for aged care
- Speech Pathology → Dysphagia assessment and communication support, including for stroke and neurological conditions in aged care
- Podiatry → Diabetic foot monitoring, nail and skin care for older adults — at home or in clinic
- NDIS Services → For participants who access both NDIS and aged care supports — CAHC is registered under both programs
Start Your Support at Home Allied Health Journey
Ready to start your Support at Home allied health journey? Whether you’re a family member, an older adult, or managing a residential aged care facility looking to arrange on-site multi-discipline allied health visits, contact your nearest CAHC clinic or call our intake team.
