Support at Home in Brisbane West: Aged Care That Helps You Stay Independent

Aged care doesn’t have to mean moving out of your home.

If you’re an older adult (or supporting one) in Darra, Inala, Mt Ommaney, Ipswich or greater Brisbane West, the federal Support at Home program can help you stay safe, comfortable and independent for longer.

At Link Into Life, we combine practical aged care support with our background in NDIS, mental health and social work to offer truly person‑centred care in your own home and community.

What is the Support at Home program?

Support at Home is the Australian Government’s main in‑home aged care program.

From 1 November 2025, it replaced the Home Care Packages Program and the Short‑Term Restorative Care Programme.

It is designed to help older Australians:

• Stay living at home as they age

• Access coordinated care matched to their needs

• Receive support across clinical care, independence, and everyday living tasks

Funding is allocated across eight levels (classifications) based on your assessed needs, from lower‑level support through to high‑intensity care. The program also includes short‑term pathways, including a restorative care pathway, to help you regain independence after illness or hospitalisation.

Who is eligible for Support at Home?

You may be eligible if you:

• Are an older Australian (generally 65+, or 50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

• Need help to remain safe and independent at home

• Have age‑related care needs (not primarily disability‑related, which may fall under NDIS)

Eligibility is determined through a free assessment via the national My Aged Care system.

How to access Support at Home in Brisbane West

The process is similar across Queensland, including Brisbane West:

1. Register with My Aged Care

   • Visit myagedcare.gov.au or call 1800 200 422.

   • Complete an assessment

   • An Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) or equivalent will assess your needs, usually in your home.

     
     

2. Receive your decision and support plan

   • You’ll get a Notice of Decision outlining your approved services and funding level.

     
     

3. Choose your provider

   1. You can nominate Link Into Life as your Support at Home provider for Brisbane West.

   2. We are also an Associated Provider with Kal’ang Community Care, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community care organisation. This partnership allows us to:

      1. Work closely with Kal’ang to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and families across Brisbane, Ipswich and surrounding areas

      2. Provide culturally safe, respectful care that honours community connections and Country

      3. Coordinate supports where needed so you can access the right mix of mainstream and Indigenous‑specific services

Once you choose Link Into Life, we’ll create a Service Agreement and a tailored Care Plan with you, reflecting your goals, routines, and cultural preferences.

If you’re unsure where to start, we can walk you through each step over the phone or in person.

What types of support can you receive?

Support at Home funding can be used for a wide range of services, grouped into three main areas:

1. Clinical support (fully funded)

These services are fully funded by the government (no participant contribution required).

Examples include:

• Nursing care (wound care, medication management, health monitoring)

• Allied health (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, dietetics, speech pathology)

• Continence support (including non‑clinical continence care)

• Palliative and end‑of‑life care at home

  
  

From 1 October 2026, personal care (help with showering, dressing, grooming and toileting) will also be classified as a clinical support and fully funded for eligible participants who have these services approved in their plan.

2. Independence support (co‑payment may apply)

These services help you stay mobile, safe and engaged in daily life.

Examples include:

• Personal care (showering, dressing, grooming, toileting) – currently in this category, moving to fully funded clinical support from 1 October 2026health.gov+1

• Medication prompts

• Transport to appointments and community activities

• Respite care for family carers

• Home safety assessments and minor modifications

• Social support and companionship

Participants usually contribute a co‑payment (often 5–50% depending on income and assets) for independence support.

3. Everyday living support (co‑payment may apply)

Practical help with day‑to‑day tasks to keep your home running smoothly.

Examples include:

• Cleaning and laundry

• Gardening and home maintenance

• Meal preparation and grocery shopping

• Shopping assistance and errands

These services generally require a higher participant contribution than independence supports.

Short‑term pathways within Support at Home

In addition to ongoing supports, the program includes short‑term pathways to fund:

• Assistive technology and home modifications (e.g. rails, ramps, shower chairs, communication devices)

• Restorative care – time‑limited, goal‑focused support to help you regain independence after illness, injury or hospitalisation

• End‑of‑life care for people who wish to remain at home in their final months

These pathways are designed to be flexible and responsive to changing needs over time.

Why choose Link Into Life for aged care in Darra and Brisbane West?

Many providers offer aged care. Link Into Life brings a different mix of skills and values:

• Local, Brisbane West focusBased in Darra (QLD 4076), we understand the suburbs, transport options, and community services across Brisbane West, Ipswich and surrounding areas.

• Integrated NDIS and mental health expertiseOur team includes social workers and support coordinators experienced in both aged care and disability. This is especially helpful if you or a family member:

  • Have both age‑related and disability‑related needs

  • Are navigating NDIS and aged care at the same time

  • Need support with mental health, trauma, or complex family situations

• Person‑centred, culturally safe careWe prioritise:

  • Your goals and preferences

  • Respect for cultural background, including First Nations clients

  • Clear communication and shared decision‑making

• Flexible, responsive serviceAs a smaller, local provider, we can:

  • Adjust care plans quickly as your needs change

  • Work closely with your GP, specialists, and other supports

  • Offer practical help that fits your routine, not the other way around

Common questions from Brisbane West families

“Can I stay in my own home in Darra or Inala?”

In most cases, yes. Support at Home is specifically designed to help you remain at home safely for as long as possible, with the right mix of services and modifications.

“What if my needs change?”

Your care plan is not fixed. As your needs increase or decrease, we can:

• Review your plan regularly

• Request reassessment through My Aged Care if higher‑level support is needed

• Adjust services and hours to match your current situation

  
  

“Do I have to pay anything?”

Some components of Support at Home are fully funded (especially clinical care), while others may require a co‑payment depending on your income and the type of support.We’ll explain any costs clearly before you start services.

“Can you help if we’re already using another provider?”

Yes. You can change providers at any time. If you’re unhappy with your current arrangement or need more flexibility, we can:

• Take over your existing plan

• Help you transition smoothly

• Rebuild your care plan around your current goals

  
  

Getting started with Link Into Life

If you or someone you love is:

• Finding daily tasks harder than before

• Worried about falls, isolation, or managing at home

• Recently discharged from hospital

• Supporting an older parent or partner in Brisbane West

…then Support at Home may be able to help.

Next steps:

1. Call us on +61 421 183 825 to discuss your situation.

2. If you haven’t already, we’ll guide you through registering with My Aged Care and arranging an assessment.

3. Once you have your approval, we’ll create a tailored care plan focused on your goals, routines, and preferences.

We support older adults and their families across Darra, Inala, Mt Ommaney, Ipswich and greater Brisbane West.

Related resources

• My Aged Care: myagedcare.gov.au or 1800 200 422

• Learn more about our NDIS Support Coordination and Mental Health & Counselling services on our website.

• Explore our Resources & Tools page for NDIS and community information.

Need help understanding your options?

Contact Link Into Life today to talk through your situation and see how Support at Home in Brisbane West can work for you.