Outline

This article explains:

• How the Support at Home (SaH) budget works if you go to short-term residential respite.
• Which services continue during respite.
• Which services are temporarily paused.
• Whether allied health and clinical services can continue.
• What needs to be done before a respite stay.
• Frequently asked questions about funding during respite.

How Participants in Short-Term Residential Respite Are Funded Under Support at Home

When you enter short-term residential respite care under Australia’s Support at Home (SaH) program, your ongoing Support at Home funding generally continues. However, there are several important rules that determine which services can continue and which must pause during the respite stay.

Understanding these arrangements helps ensure you continue to receive appropriate care while avoiding duplication of government-funded services.

Funding During a Respite Stay

You will continue to receive your quarterly Support at Home budget while staying in short-term residential respite.

This means:

• Your quarterly budget continues as normal.
• Any unspent funds continue to accumulate in accordance with the standard Support at Home carry-over rules.
• Entering respite does not automatically suspend or cancel your Support at Home funding.

Although funding continues, some home-based services will be temporarily paused while you are in residential care.

Services That Pause During Respite

Support at Home funding cannot be used to pay for services that are already being provided by the residential respite facility.

These commonly include:

• Accommodation
• Meals
• Basic personal care
• Domestic assistance provided by the facility
• Standard nursing care provided as part of the respite placement

Pausing these services ensures there is no duplication of government-funded supports.

Can Allied Health Services Continue?

Yes. In many cases, allied health and other clinical services can continue while you are in residential respite.

Examples include:

• Physiotherapy
• Occupational therapy
• Nursing services
• Other approved clinical supports

These clinical services remain fully government-funded under Support at Home and do not attract a contribution from you. The services may continue during the respite stay provided they are not duplicating services already supplied by the respite provider.

For example, if you have an ongoing physiotherapy program that is separate from the facility’s standard care, your regular physiotherapist may attend the facility to continue treatment.

Residential Respite Funding

Residential respite itself is funded separately through the Australian aged care system.

While the respite provider receives funding for delivering residential care, your Support at Home budget continues in the background, allowing approved services to recommence immediately after the respite stay and, where appropriate, continue during respite if they are not duplicated.

Planning Ahead

Good communication between everyone involved helps ensure a smooth transition into and out of respite care. 

You or your representatives, should notify HomeWise Health as soon as a respite stay is planned so that:

• the care plan can be reviewed;
• services can be adjusted to avoid duplication;
• approved clinical supports can continue where appropriate; and
• services can recommence promptly when you return home.

Early planning helps prevent interruptions to care and ensures Support at Home funding is used appropriately.

Important Consideration – Restorative Care Pathway

If you are receiving services through an active Restorative Care Pathway these may be subject to additional program rules. Because these pathways are time-limited and goal-focused, respite may affect how services are scheduled or delivered. 

HomeWise Health can provide advice based on your individual circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my Support at Home funding stop while I’m in respite?

No. Your quarterly Support at Home budget generally continues while you are in short-term residential respite.

Can I continue receiving physiotherapy during respite?

Yes. Physiotherapy and other approved clinical services can usually continue, provided they are not duplicating services already supplied by the respite facility.

Why are some of my regular home services paused?

Services such as meals, personal care and accommodation are already provided by the respite facility. Government funding cannot be used to pay for the same service twice.

Will I lose any unused funding while I’m in respite?

Generally, no. Unspent funds remain subject to the normal Support at Home carry-over rules.

Do I pay a contribution for physiotherapy?

No. Approved clinical services, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and nursing, are fully government-funded under Support at Home and do not require a participant contribution.

Should I tell HomeWise Health before entering respite?

Yes. Notifying HomeWise Health early allows us to review your care plan, adjust services where required and coordinate ongoing clinical supports.

What happens when I return home?

Your paused home care services can recommence in line with your care plan once you leave residential respite.

Does this apply to every participant?

Most participants receiving ongoing Support at Home services will be covered by these arrangements. However, if you are participating in specific short-term programs, such as a Restorative Care Pathway, there may be additional funding rules.

Key Takeaways

• You can continue to receive your Support at Home funding while in short-term residential respite.
• Funding continues even though some home care services are temporarily paused.
• Services already provided by the respite facility cannot also be claimed through Support at Home.
• Allied health and other approved clinical services can usually continue if they are not duplicating facility services.
• Clinical services remain fully government-funded and do not attract a participant contribution.
• Residential respite is funded separately from Support at Home.
• Early communication with HomeWise Health helps ensure services are coordinated appropriately.
• If you are on a Restorative Care Pathway there may be additional program-specific requirements.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information based on the Australian Government’s Support at Home program settings at the time of publication. Individual circumstances may vary. Contact HomeWise Health or My Aged Care for advice specific to your situation.

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