Support at Home Restorative Care Pathway
Short-term nursing and allied health support, designed to help you regain strength, movement and independence in the comfort of your own home.
What is Short-Term Restorative Care?
Goal-Based Support From an Experienced Clinical Team
The Restorative Care Pathway is a short-term pathway within the Australian Government’s Support at Home program. It replaced the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme when Support at Home began on 1 November 2025.
Rather than simply doing tasks for you, restorative care helps you keep, rebuild or relearn the skills you need to do more for yourself. It is about regaining independence, not replacing it.
You can receive up to 16 weeks of coordinated care, delivered mostly by allied health and nursing professionals. A team of health professionals supports you, guided by your aged care assessment and by your own goals. We work alongside you throughout, so that you do not become reliant on long-term support unless you genuinely need it.
How Is Restorative Care Funded?
The funding is separate from your regular, ongoing Support at Home funding.
Each restorative care episode comes with about $6,000 in funding for up to 16 weeks of care. If you need more to reach your assessed goals, you may be approved for a second funding unit, which brings the total to about $12,000 for the episode.
This means that if you already receive ongoing Support at Home services, you can still use the Restorative Care Pathway at the same time, without drawing on your normal quarterly budget.
You may be eligible for up to two restorative care episodes in 12 months, with at least three months between them.
Why Choose Esse Care for Support at Home?
Trusted Care Built on 35 Years of Experience
With over three decades of providing quality care, Esse Care has grown from a family-run business into a trusted, second-generation provider. Our long-standing commitment to honesty and reliability ensures that we deliver the support we promise, tailoring services to meet the evolving needs of our clients.
Multicultural, Inclusive, and Diverse Team
At Esse Care, diversity is our strength. Our team of case managers, support workers, and clients come from various cultural backgrounds, creating an inclusive environment. We welcome all cultures and offer services in multiple languages, ensuring clients feel comfortable and understood at every step of their care journey.
Honest, Transparent, and Ethical Care
We prioritise open communication and ethical service delivery. We never overpromise or mismanage client funding. Instead, we focus on providing services that meet genuine needs, ensuring clients are always informed and supported. Our feedback-driven approach ensures continuous improvement and high standards in every aspect of care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use restorative care if I already get Support at Home?
Yes. If you have been assessed and approved, you can use restorative care alongside your ongoing Support at Home services. For example, you can keep your regular cleaning or personal care and also receive physiotherapy and occupational therapy through your restorative care funding. The two funding streams are managed separately, so one does not reduce the other.
Do I need to be on Support at Home first?
No. You can be assessed and approved for restorative care even if you do not currently receive ongoing Support at Home. If you are approved, you receive separate short-term funding for your episode. You will still need an aged care assessment to confirm that you are eligible. If your needs change, your care team can help you work out whether you would benefit from ongoing Support at Home afterwards.
How do I get approved?
An aged care assessment decides this. The assessor considers whether short-term, hands-on support is likely to improve or maintain your abilities, and whether you are willing and able to work towards restorative goals. If you already receive Support at Home and your circumstances have changed, a Support Plan Review may be used to check whether restorative care is right for you.
Will I contribute to the cost of restorative care?
That depends on the service. Clinical Supports, such as nursing and physiotherapy, are fully funded for you by the Australian Government. If your plan includes Independence or Everyday Living services, you may be asked to contribute, based on your assessed rate. We will explain any costs clearly before services begin.
Can restorative care include equipment or home changes?
Yes, if you have been assessed as needing them. You may also be approved for assistive technology and home modifications funding, such as mobility equipment or changes that make your home safer. This comes from a separate scheme and does not reduce your restorative care budget.
What happens after the 16 weeks?
We begin planning from day one. At the end of the episode, your care team prepares an exit plan that sets out your progress, your remaining needs and our recommendations. If you need ongoing or additional support, a Support Plan Review can be requested to look at your Support at Home services or funding.
Is this the same as the old Short-Term Restorative Care Programme?
The purpose is similar, but the old programme was replaced by the Restorative Care Pathway when Support at Home began on 1 November 2025. The new pathway is part of Support at Home and offers up to 16 weeks of goal-based care from a team of health professionals.
We're here to help
Have a question or just comparing providers? Call us on 1300 662 339, email info@essecare.com.au, or enquire online.
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