Support at Home in Ballina and Lismore: What Older Australians Need to Know
If you or someone you love has been receiving a Home Care Package, or you’ve been looking into aged care support in Ballina, Lismore, or the Northern Rivers, there’s something important you need to know. The way the Australian Government funds in-home aged care has changed. The Support at Home program is now live, and it replaces the old Home Care Package system.
Here’s what that means for you, in plain English.
What is the Support at Home Program?
The Support at Home program launched on 1 November 2025. It replaced the Home Care Package (HCP) program and the Short-Term Restorative Care programme. If you were receiving a Home Care Package, you’ve already been moved across automatically. Nothing was taken away, and you didn’t need to reapply.
If you’re new to aged care support, Support at Home is the government-funded program that helps older Australians stay living independently at home for as long as possible. You receive a quarterly budget to spend on the care and services you need, based on your individual assessed needs.
What Changed from Home Care Packages?
The biggest change is how support levels work. The old system had four package levels (Level 1 to Level 4). Support at Home replaces those with eight classification levels. Your level is set based on a proper assessment of what you actually need, not just a rough category.
Here’s what else is different:
Quarterly budgets: Instead of an annual funding amount, your budget is set each quarter. This gives you more flexibility to adjust your support as your needs change.
Three service categories: Your funding is divided into Clinical Care (nursing, allied health), Independence Support (help with daily tasks and personal care), and Everyday Living (cleaning, meals, transport). You use your budget across these categories based on what you need most.
Separate funding for home modifications: If you need ramps, grab rails, or other home modifications to stay safe, this is now funded separately, not taken from your care budget.
Who Can Access Support at Home?
To access Support at Home, you generally need to be:
- 65 years of age or older (50 or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
- An Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible visa holder
- Living at home and wanting to stay there with some support
If you’re not sure whether you’re eligible, the first step is to contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au. They’ll point you in the right direction.
How Do You Get Started in Ballina or Lismore?
Getting support through Support at Home starts with a My Aged Care assessment. Here’s how it works:
Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or register online at myagedcare.gov.au. You’ll have a short conversation about your situation and what kind of support you’re looking for.
An assessor will visit you at home. They’ll talk through your daily life, your goals, and what you need help with. This is a straightforward conversation, not an exam.
Once you’re assessed, you’ll be matched to a support classification level. You can then choose a provider to deliver your supports.
How Greater Support Can Help
We’re a registered aged care provider based in the Northern Rivers. We work with older Australians in Ballina, Lismore, and the surrounding area to deliver Support at Home services that are practical, personalised, and built around what you actually want.
Here’s what we help with:
- Personal care: help with showering, dressing, and grooming
- Household tasks: cleaning, laundry, and keeping the home safe
- Meal preparation and nutrition support
- Transport to appointments and community activities
- Social support and companionship
- Connecting you with local services and community groups in the Northern Rivers
We get to know you and what matters to you. Your care plan is yours, not a template.
Ready to Find Out More?
If you’re in Ballina, Lismore, or anywhere in the Northern Rivers and you’d like to know more about Support at Home, we’re happy to talk it through. You don’t need to have everything sorted before reaching out. Just give us a call or send a message and we’ll take it from there.
Contact Greater Support | Learn more about our Aged Care services
About the Author: Greater Support is an NDIS registered provider delivering personalised disability, aged care, and family support services in Ballina, Lismore, Northern Rivers NSW, Sydney, Brisbane, and Logan City.
