14 Aug 2026

Am I Eligible? The HACC Checklist for Home and Community Care in Tasmania

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Key Takeaways

• HACC still operates in Tasmania for people under 65: The Tasmanian Home and Community Care (Tas HACC) program provides support for eligible Tasmanians under 65 who are not covered by the NDIS.
• Older Tasmanians access equivalent support through My Aged Care: If you are aged 65 or over (or 50 or over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people), your entry point for home support is My Aged Care and the CHSP or Support at Home programs.
• Eligibility is based on age, need, and current support: To access funded in-home care in Australia, you need to meet age and care need criteria and not already be receiving equivalent support through another program.
• An assessment is required before services begin: You cannot simply sign up for government-funded home care. A trained assessor will visit your home to determine what support you need and which program suits you.
• NDIS participants are not eligible for HACC: If you receive NDIS funding, that program is responsible for meeting your support needs rather than HACC.
• If you are unsure, start with a conversation: Contacting My Aged Care or the Tasmanian Community Care Referral Service is the simplest first step to understanding what support is available to you.

 

Navigating Australia's home care system can feel overwhelming when you are not sure where to start. Different programs apply to different groups of people, and whether you are eligible depends on your age, your circumstances, and what support you are already receiving.

This guide explains who qualifies for home and community care support in Tasmania, what HACC means in the Tasmanian context, and how to check whether you or a loved one might be eligible for funded in-home support. You can also visit our Under 65 and Disability Care page or our Getting Started page for more information specific to The District Nurses.

What Is HACC, and Does It Still Exist in Tasmania?

HACC stands for Home and Community Care. It was a long-running joint Australian and state government program that provided basic home support services to help frail older people, people with disabilities, and their carers remain living independently in the community.

For older Australians (aged 65 and over), the Commonwealth HACC program was replaced by the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) from 1 July 2015. From November 2025, CHSP continues to operate for older Australians alongside the new Support at Home program, which replaced Home Care Packages.

In Tasmania, a state-funded Home and Community Care program (known as Tas HACC) continues to operate for people under the age of 65 who are not eligible for or covered by the NDIS. This makes Tas HACC the relevant program for younger Tasmanians with a disability, chronic illness, or injury who need support with daily tasks. The District Nurses delivers Under 65 and Disability Care services for eligible Tasmanians through this program.

The Eligibility Checklist: Am I Eligible for In-Home Support in Tasmania?

Use the questions below as a starting guide. This is not a formal assessment, but it can help you understand which pathway may apply to your situation.

1. Are you aged 65 or over (or 50 or over if you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander)?

• Yes: You may be eligible for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme or Support at Home through My Aged Care. These are the main government-funded programs for older Australians needing in-home support.
• No: Continue to question 2.

 

2. Are you aged 50 to 64 (or 45 to 49 if you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander) and on a low income, homeless, or at risk of homelessness?

• Yes: You may be eligible for CHSP entry under a specific low-income or homelessness provision. Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to discuss your circumstances.
• No: Continue to question 3.

 

3. Are you under 65 and do you have a disability, chronic illness, or injury that makes daily tasks difficult?

• Yes, and you have NDIS funding: The NDIS is responsible for your in-home support needs. Contact your NDIS planner or Local Area Coordinator for assistance.
• Yes, and you do not have NDIS funding: You may be eligible for Tas HACC, the Tasmanian government-funded home and community care program for people under 65. You can make a referral through the Tasmanian Community Care Referral Service, or ask a GP, health worker, or family member to do so on your behalf.
• No: You may not currently meet the eligibility criteria for funded in-home support. Private home care services are also available without an eligibility assessment.

 

4. Are you already receiving in-home support from another government program?

• If you are already receiving a Support at Home package, you are not eligible for CHSP for the same services. However, there are limited exceptions where both can be accessed simultaneously.
• If you are a DVA-funded client receiving Veterans' Home Care or Community Nursing, you may be able to access some My Aged Care services in addition, depending on your needs.
• If you are living permanently in residential aged care, you are not eligible for HACC or CHSP in-home support.

What Services Are Available if You Are Eligible?

The range of services available through CHSP, Support at Home, and Tas HACC is broad and designed to support independence at home. Depending on your assessed needs and the program you access, services can include:

• Personal care assistance such as showering, dressing, and grooming
• Domestic assistance including cleaning, laundry, and errands
• Meal preparation and home-delivered meals
• Transport to appointments and community activities
• Allied health services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and podiatry
• Home modifications and assistive technology to improve safety
• Social support to reduce isolation
• Nursing care and clinical support at home
• Respite care to give family carers a break

What Happens After You Determine You May Be Eligible?

Once you believe you may qualify for funded support, the next step is to start the assessment process. For older Australians, this means contacting My Aged Care:

1. Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au to register and complete an initial screening.
2. A trained assessor will contact you to arrange a home visit. This assessment is free and usually takes around an hour.
3. You are encouraged to have a family member, carer, or registered supporter with you during the assessment.
4. Based on the assessment, the assessor will identify which services and programs are appropriate for your needs.
5. If approved, you will receive referral codes for the services you are eligible for, and you can then choose a provider.

 

For people under 65 seeking Tas HACC support, referrals go through the Tasmanian Community Care Referral Service. You, a family member, a health worker, or another service provider can make a referral on your behalf.

What If You Do Not Yet Meet the Criteria?

If you do not currently meet the eligibility criteria for any government-funded program, you still have options. The District Nurses' Private and Brokered Services are available without a formal assessment or eligibility threshold. You pay the full cost directly, but you can begin receiving support immediately.

If your care needs change or increase over time, you can reapply for an assessment through My Aged Care at any point. Eligibility is reassessed based on your current circumstances, not your previous application.

How The District Nurses Can Help

At The District Nurses, we support Tasmanians at all stages of the eligibility and care journey — whether you are just beginning to explore your options, preparing for an assessment, or looking for immediate support while you wait. We deliver services under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, the Support at Home program, and the Tasmanian HACC program for under-65 and disability care.

We have been supporting Tasmanian families for more than 129 years. Contact our team to discuss your eligibility and find out what your next step should be or visit our Getting Started page for a guided overview.

Contact The District Nurses today to discuss whether you are eligible for in-home care support and what your next step should be.