Two New Pathways to Support You at Home
Big changes are on the way to improve how older Australians are supported to live safely and comfortably at home. As part of the new Support at Home program, two targeted pathways are being introduced: the End-of-Life Pathway and the Restorative Care Pathway.
These pathways are designed to better match services to people’s circumstances—whether they’re recovering and aiming to regain independence, or needing extra support during a difficult time. .
End-of-Life Pathway: Extra Support When It Matters Most
The End-of-Life Pathway will give older Australians who have been medically assessed as having 3 months or less to live access to a higher level of in-home aged care services. It’s designed to help people remain in the comfort of their own homes for as long as possible, surrounded by loved ones.
You don’t need to already be in the Support at Home program to access this support.
An older person can be referred to a high-priority assessment for access to the pathway.
If approved, they’ll receive up to $25,000 in dedicated funding, which can be used over a period of 16 weeks.
This support is aimed at easing stress on families and helping people avoid hospital or residential care when their preference is to remain at home.
Restorative Care Pathway: Helping You Get Back on Your Feet
The Restorative Care Pathway focuses on providing short-term, goal-oriented support—particularly allied health services—to build your strength, confidence, and independence.
It’s designed for people who have experienced a health event (such as a fall or illness) or are generally starting to lose function but are not quite ready for long-term care.
This care is available for up to 12 weeks, with a possible 4-week extension.
You may be eligible even if you're already receiving services through Support at Home.
Access is determined through a clinical and functional assessment.
Services will include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and support workers to help you get back to doing the things you love.
This is an expansion of what was previously available under the Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Program, which only offered 8 weeks of support.
Why These Pathways Matter
Both pathways recognise that care isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you're regaining strength after a setback or facing the end of life, the new Support at Home program is designed to offer more tailored and timely support to older Australians and their families.’
Time will tell how they play out once introduced. Hopefully they work as well in the real world as they read on paper.
