All about the new Support at Home service list
The introduction of the Support at Home program means the services on offer now look a little different.
At Brightwater, we know this can feel confusing for our former Home Care Package clients, especially when they’ve been receiving some supports for a long time. That’s why we’ve created this easy guide to explain to clients, in plain English, what’s included, what’s not, and why some services may have changed.
What Support at Home Covers
Support at Home focuses on the essential, everyday care that helps people live safely and independently at home. These services fall into three main groups.
These examples reflect the range of services available under the Support at Home program across different providers.
Short-term help when you need it
Alongside regular care services, participants can also access short-term support when they need a little extra help.
These replace the old Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) program. However, West Australians are still able to be referred to the Transitional Care Community (TCC) Program after a stay in hospital.
What Support at Home Doesn’t Cover
Some services are not included in home care, including the Support at Home program. This is because the government has prioritised essential aged care services aimed at helping participants stay in their own homes for longer.
To help make this clearer, we’ve grouped the most common ‘out of scope’ items below.
Let's break this down a little more...
Cleaning
We can help keep client's home safe and hygienic with things like:
- Wiping benches and surfaces
- Vacuuming and mopping
- Light bathroom cleaning
- Washing dishes
- Emptying bins
- Changing sheets
- Spot cleaning spills
Deep cleaning or professional services that aren't covered include:
- Oven cleaning
- Steam cleaning or carpet shampooing
- Mould treatment
- Decluttering or hoarder clean-ups
- Pest control
- End-of-lease cleaning
- Cleaning for inspections or cosmetic appearance
Gardening
We can help with essential gardening that keeps pathways safe, such as:
- Lawn mowing
- Basic pruning
- Clearing access paths
- Removing tripping hazards
- Light weeding
Complex or heavy work isn't covered, such as:
- Tree lopping and heavy pruning
- Hedge shaping or decorative gardening
- Planting new gardens
- Mulching, fertilising, garden design
- Major yard clean-ups
- Irrigation repairs
Home maintenance
We can help keep a participant's home safe and functional by:
- Replacing lightbulbs
- Fixing loose handles
- Minor safety repairs
- Clearing gutters (if needed for safety)
- Tightening screws or simple adjustments
Work normally done by trades or landlords isn't covered, such as:
- Carpentry or electrical work
- Bathroom or kitchen repairs
- Repainting
- Flooring replacement
- Pest control
- Installing cabinetry
- Home upgrades or renovations
- Anything that should be covered under a rental or landlord agreement
How the government prioritises services
Under Support at Home in particular, the government wants funding to focus on supports that directly:
- maintain participants independence
- improve daily living
- support participants health and safety
- help clients remain at home
Anything considered general lifestyle, medical or personal expense sits outside Support at Home services.
Some of these changes can feel like a big shift. Our coordinators and care partners are here to help if you have any questions regarding which services are included in home care, and which are not.
What to do if something you need isn’t covered
If a support is not included within the Support at Home program, our team can help by:
- Explaining why it's out of scope
- Helping you explore other government programs (Medicare, CHSP, state-based services)
- Helping find a safe, suitable alternative
Just give us a call, we're always happy to help.
How Brightwater can support you
Support at Home may be new, but Brightwater’s commitment hasn’t changed.
We’re here to help you understand the system, make confident decisions, and continue receiving high-quality, person-centred care at home.
If you're ever unsure whether something is in scope or out of scope, just ask, this is exactly what we're here for!
Chat to our friendly team today.
