03 8820 0000
info@activecg.com.au
Just 6 Steps to Apply for Support at Home (SaH)
A Guide to Government-Funded Home Care for Older Australians in Need
As we age, daily tasks can become more challenging. If you need extra help at home, the good news is that you may be eligible for government-funded Support at Home (SaH) services. These services are designed to help you live safely, independently, and comfortably in your own home.
Here are 6 simple steps to apply for SaH.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
You may be eligible for SaH if you are:
- An Australian citizen or permanent resident aged 65 or over, and
- Need help with many everyday tasks at home, or require more complex or intensive care due to age-related and health issues.
Step 2: Apply for SaH
Getting started is simple.
Apply by phone:
Call the Government’s My Aged Care contact centre on 1800 200 422. After answering a few simple questions, if you meet the requirements, an assessor will arrange a visit with you, usually in your own home.
Apply online:
Visit www.myagedcare.gov.au/apply-online. Have your Medicare card ready. The process takes about 10–15 minutes.
Step 3: In-Home Assessment
A My Aged Care assessor will contact you to schedule a visit. The assessment will take place in your own home – you don’t need to go anywhere. The assessor will have a copy of the information you provided to My Aged Care, helping them understand what support you may need to maintain your independence at home.
Step 4: Receive Your Assessment Outcome
After the assessment, you will receive a letter outlining:
- Whether you are eligible for government-funded services
- Your approved service level (if eligible)
- The reasons and evidence supporting the decision
- A copy of the support plan developed during the assessment
Important: Once approved for Support at Home, there may be a wait time under the National Priority System before services can be allocated. While you wait, you can prepare in advance so that when funding becomes available, your care services can be arranged quickly.
When you receive the first letter advising you to get ready, please call us:
* VIC: 03 8820 0000
* SA: 08 7083 9833
Step 5: Choose Your Home Care Provider
You will then receive a second letter containing a Referral Code confirming your approval. You have 56 days to sign a Home Care Agreement with a reliable, quality-approved home care provider (such as Fuhua Home Care).
If you do not sign an agreement within 56 days, your funding will be released and allocated to the next person on the National Priority System.
📞 Call us today to start your Support at Home services:
* VIC: 03 8820 0000
* SA: 08 7083 9833
We are here for you.
Step 6: Develop a Personalised Care Plan and Budget Plan
Once you’ve chosen your preferred home care provider – for example, Fuhua Home Care – Active Community Group – our care team will visit you and provide a Home Care Agreement. Before you begin receiving home services and support, we will sit down with you, your family, and/or your carer to design a personalised care plan and budget plan just for you.
Need help starting your application?
We will support you every step of the way. Please feel free to contact our friendly team.
* VIC: 03 8820 0000
* SA: 08 7083 9833
Your home, your independence, your future.
A Gift of Friendship and Companionship: Introducing the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS)
Did you know that once you are approved for a "Support at Home" grant, you automatically become eligible to be matched with a volunteer friend, free of charge, who will visit you regularly?
This is the Australian Government-funded Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) , a free service that has been operating for over 30 years, specifically designed to provide friendship and companionship to senior citizens.
What is ACVVS?
This scheme recruits and trains volunteers through approximately 140 community organizations nationwide and matches them with senior citizens for regular visits. Whether you live in your own home or in a government-subsidized aged care home, if you are currently receiving or have been approved for "Support at Home" services (formerly known as Home Care Packages), you are fully eligible to enjoy this service free of charge.
Why is this Scheme So Important?
Many seniors may feel lonely or socially isolated for various reasons, such as:
- Difficulty moving around, making it hard to participate in social activities
- Limited contact with family and friends
- Feeling disconnected from their own culture or traditions
Regular volunteer visits can significantly improve quality of life and help reduce feelings of isolation for seniors.
What Do the Visits Involve?
Matches between volunteers and seniors are made based on shared interests and personalities to ensure every meeting is comfortable and enjoyable. Activities are very flexible and entirely decided by you and your volunteer. They might include:
- Having a cup of tea and a chat
- Enjoying the garden together
- Playing cards or board games
- Reading or sharing stories
- Watching a favorite TV show
How Does the Scheme Work?
- Frequency: Volunteers commit to visiting weekly or fortnightly, with times mutually agreed upon.
- Safe and Reliable: All volunteers undergo rigorous screening, including background checks, and receive relevant training.
- Free to Participate: The scheme is entirely government-funded, so participants pay nothing.
How to Apply?
You can apply for yourself or for a senior you care about. Referrals can come from:
- Yourself
- Family members or friends
- Healthcare professionals
- Aged care service providers
Applying is simple: just contact your local ACVSS provider organization, such as AuSCC, which specializes in providing visiting services for the Chinese community. They will arrange for a coordinator to handle the matching process and accompany the volunteer on the first visit to ensure everything goes smoothly.
A Small Visit, a Big Difference
Whether it's sharing time over a cup of tea or going for a pleasant walk, these seemingly simple interactions can bring meaning and joy to life. If you or your family member is receiving "Support at Home" services but feels lonely or desires more social interaction, please don't miss out on this valuable free resource.
Let a sincere volunteer step into your life and add a touch of warm companionship and anticipation.
For inquiries or to learn how to apply for a visiting service, please call AuSCC at (03) 9123 4568, or contact your Care Manager.
Client Voices: Sincere Gratitude is Our Greatest Motivation
At Active Community Group, we have always believed that the warmest affirmation comes from the genuine feedback of our clients and their families. Recently, we received a touching review online on Google that we want to share this warmth with everyone:
"In this journey of caring for my father, we have been incredibly fortunate to have the invaluable support of Active Community Group, particularly Catherine, who manages my father's My Aged Care plan and arranges his support services. Catherine has been an absolute ray of sunshine and has reduced my massive stress as a carer significantly. Her support has been second to none during one of the most difficult times of our lives.
Additionally, Cynthia, who acts as my father's carer, has been a tremendous help with daily support, community access, meal preparation assistance, and most importantly, has become a wonderful companion for my father. I am deeply grateful to them both and the team for the additional services provided (cleaning, therapy etc).
Top notch service!
- Kelli Ryan"
A Word of Thanks, a Sense of Mission
Kelli's words are not only an affirmation of Care Manager (Ms. Chen) and Home Care Worker (Cynthia) as individuals but also an encouragement for the entire Active Community Group team. We deeply understand that behind every senior, there is a family dedicating love and effort. Being able to be a support for families and a companion for seniors in this process is our greatest honor.
More Than Just Service, It's Companionship
As Kelli mentioned, Home Care Worker Cynthia not only provides daily care but also became a "wonderful companion" for her father. This embodies our core belief---care should not just be about completing tasks; it should be about genuine companionship and concern.
Comprehensive Support, Giving Families Peace of Mind
From aged care plan management and service coordination to integrating diverse services like cleaning and therapy, our goal is to enable seniors to age safely at home while also allowing their families to breathe easier, knowing their loved one is being well cared for.
Thank You for Your Trust
Every client's trust is our motivation to move forward. Whether you are facing the challenges of caring for an elderly relative or have any questions about home care services, Active Community Group will listen attentively and serve diligently, just as we would for our own family.
