Support at Home Funding: Referral Codes, Reviews and Key Deadlines

Last reviewed: 31 October 2026.

Once your parent is approved for Support at Home, the next questions are about funding: when it arrives, what the referral code means, and which deadlines the family has to keep. Most of My Aged Care runs at its own pace, but a few dates are yours to keep. These are the ones to put on the family calendar the day each letter lands.

Date	Starts from	What it’s for
28 days	Receiving the outcome letter (Notice of Decision)	Asking for a free review if the decision doesn’t match your parent’s needs
56 days	The date on the funding letter	Finding a Support at Home provider and signing a service agreement. You can ask My Aged Care for another 28 days to find a provider
Every month	Once services start	Checking the monthly statement against the care actually received

Your My Aged Care referral code

The outcome letter can include a referral code: a unique reference number. A provider uses it to see your parent’s support plan. Save a copy of the letter, the support plan and the code where the whole family can find them. If there’s no code, your parent may be waiting for funding.

Waiting for Support at Home funding

If your parent is approved for ongoing Support at Home but has no referral code yet, they’re in the Support at Home Priority System, waiting for funding. The priority in the outcome letter shows how urgently funding is expected to be assigned, which affects the wait. A funding letter arrives when funding is available.

Use the wait to get ready:

• Check whether an income and assets assessment is needed. It works out what your parent will contribute towards some services. On the Age Pension or another means-tested Centrelink or DVA payment, usually no form is needed: just keep details up to date through myGov or on 132 300. Otherwise, complete the Support at Home calculation of your cost of care form (SA456).
• Shortlist 3 or 4 providers and ask early whether they’re taking new clients in your parent’s area.
• If needs change a lot, such as a fall or hospital stay, contact My Aged Care.

The 28-day review window

Check the Notice of Decision and support plan carefully. If something looks wrong, talk to the assessment organisation first (their details are in the letter). If you still disagree, your parent or their registered supporter can ask for a free internal review within 28 days of receiving the letter.

• Use the Request for an Internal Review of a Decision form on My Aged Care, or write a letter. The Notice of Decision explains how.
• Say clearly which part you disagree with (for example the classification level or priority), and why, using real examples.
• Free independent help is available from the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN).

The 56 days to find a provider

From the date on the funding letter, there are 56 days to find a provider and sign a service agreement. If you need more time, you can ask My Aged Care for another 28 days to find a provider. The best way to use the 56 days well is to start before the letter arrives, so the shortlist is ready.

When you choose, give the provider the referral code and read the service agreement at home before signing. Services can’t start until it’s agreed.

The monthly statement

Once care starts, the provider must send a monthly statement, even in a month with no services. Support at Home funding works in quarterly (three-month) budgets, and the statement shows how much has been used and what’s left. Check that:

• the services match what your parent actually received
• the dates and hours look right
• there are no charges you didn’t agree to
• care management charges match the service agreement

Let the plan keep track

In Aged Care Next Steps, enter the date on the funding letter and your plan shows the deadline and the days left, alongside your provider shortlist. Start your free plan.

Questions families ask

What does no referral code mean?

Your parent may be approved but waiting for Support at Home funding in the Priority System. A funding letter arrives when funding is available.

How long do we have to ask for a review?

28 days from receiving the Notice of Decision. Talk to the assessment organisation first, then ask for a free internal review if you still disagree.

Can we get more time to find a provider?

Yes. You can ask My Aged Care for another 28 days to find a provider.

Who can help if we disagree with a decision?

The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) offers free, independent help.

Related: My Aged Care assessment: how to apply, step by step · My Aged Care phone number and what to say · Personal care from 1 October 2026

General information only. Always check the dates on your own letters. LaunchUP is not paid by aged care providers and isn’t affiliated with My Aged Care or the Australian Government. Sources checked 31 October 2026: Receiving your assessment outcome · Connecting with Support at Home providers · Monthly statements for Support at Home · OPAN