At-home care services

Note: As of 1 November 2025, the way fees are calculated for aged care services has changed and the Support at Home program has replaced the Home Care Packages Program. If you have questions or concerns about how this may affect your pre-existing arrangements, contact your service provider or read more about Support at Home costs and contributions on the My Aged Care website.

For older individuals experiencing vision loss, navigating through your daily routine can become increasingly challenging. Tasks that were once simple may now present obstacles, affecting your independence and quality of life.

My Aged Care, a government program that provides support to people over the age of 65, provides access and funding to at home support packages depending on your personal circumstances and needs.

Am I eligible for My Aged Care?

To be eligible for My Aged Care, you must be over the age of 65, or over the age of 50 if you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Eligibility is also based on your support needs, such as your health, how well you’re able to carry out tasks around the home, and the support that you already receive.

You may be eligible for the services from My Aged Care if you have noticed a change in what you can do, experienced a change in family care arrangements, or been diagnosed with a medical condition or reduced mobility. This means that if you have low vision, you may be eligible for in-home care services from My Aged Care.

To find out if you’re eligible for in home care services, take a look at the My Aged Care Assessment Eligibility Checker.

If you are eligible, you can apply for an assessment to discuss your needs with a My Aged Care assessor.

What kind of support can it include?

Help at home can allow you to continue living independently in the comfort of your own home whilst also providing you with the support that you need to help with daily living. The support that you receive depends on your personal circumstances and needs.

If you need help with tasks at home, or need a low level of support, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) from My Aged Care provides entry-level support to improve your everyday health and wellbeing. If you require more complex or intensive support, you may be eligible for the Support at Home program which was introduced in November 2025 to replace the Home Care Packages Program. Services can be provided on an ongoing basis, or through select short-term pathways such as the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme. The services you can receive through both the CHSP and the Support at Home program are similar, however, the Support at Home program is designed to support more frequent or compounded care needs.

Some of the support that you could receive can include:

• Meals and food preparation.
• Help with bathing, hygiene, and grooming.
• Home modifications, such as rails in the bathroom or advice on the safety of your home.
• Cleaning and household chores.

A full list of available services is available via the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.

How do I apply?

If you think you might be eligible for My Aged Care and wish to receive these services, you will need to apply for an assessment. If your application is successful, a My Aged Care assessor will contact you to organise an assessment which will determine what services will work best for your personal needs.

To apply for an assessment, you can apply online here or you can call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. You will need your Medicare card when you apply.

How does funding work?

My Aged Care is not fully funded by the government, so their services are only partially subsidised. The amount you could pay depends on the provider that you use, as some providers will require a co-payment whereas other providers may not.

If you cannot afford your care costs, you may be eligible for financial hardship assistance.

Visit the Understanding Costs webpage to learn more about the costs associated with My Aged Care.

For more information

• Visit My Aged Care.
• Always speak to your GP and eye care professional about the best treatment options for you.