Physiotherapy that helps people remain active and functional at home.

What is Support at Home?

Support at Home is an Australian Government aged care program designed to help older people remain living safely and independently at home for longer. It replaced the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme on 1 November 2025.

Support at Home can provide a coordinated mix of services, products, equipment and home modifications based on a person's assessed needs, goals and preferences.

Read the current Support at Home information on My Aged Care →

Where does physiotherapy fit?

Physiotherapy is included within the clinical supports available through Support at Home. Clinical support costs, including physiotherapy, do not attract a participant contribution under the current program rules.

Physiotherapy can help address movement and physical function, with the aim of helping a person maintain or improve their ability to participate in everyday life.

How physiotherapy can help

Support at Home pathways

Support at Home includes ongoing services as well as short-term pathways. These include the Restorative Care Pathway, Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme, and End-of-Life Pathway.

The Restorative Care Pathway can provide coordinated, intensive allied health and/or nursing services for a limited period to help restore function, maintain independence and reduce further decline.

How do I access Support at Home?

An aged care assessment determines whether a person is eligible for ongoing or short-term Support at Home services. If approved, the person receives information about their funding and approved services and can work with their provider to arrange the services that fit their assessed needs.

ACP can discuss the physiotherapy component with the person, family, support network or care provider and explain the appropriate referral pathway.

What does ACP provide?

ACP provides practical physiotherapy across Melbourne for older people living at home. We focus on what the person needs to do in everyday life rather than treating movement in isolation.

• Home-based physiotherapy assessment
• Mobility and gait assessment
• Strength, balance and exercise programs
• Falls prevention
• Transfer assessment
• Pain and functional rehabilitation
• Mobility aid and equipment considerations
• Communication of relevant recommendations with the support team, where appropriate and with consent

When might physiotherapy be useful?

Physiotherapy may be worth considering when someone has become less steady, is walking less, has difficulty getting out of a chair or bed, has had a fall, is recovering from illness or hospitalisation, is experiencing pain, or wants to maintain their ability to manage everyday activities.