Grants to support older people in thin markets accessing affordable, high-quality Support at Home services across rural and remote communities and diverse populations nationwide equitably.
On this page you will find
What is the Support at Home Thin Markets Grant (SAHTM)?
The Support at Home Thin Markets 2026–27 (Round 3) Grant Opportunity provides flexible funding to eligible Support at Home providers delivering aged care services in thin markets, where there is a gap between the care needs of older people and available services.
A total of up to $311.4 million is available in 2026–27 to help providers continue delivering high-quality, affordable Support at Home services for older Australians living in rural and remote areas or requiring specialised services. Providers that received funding under Round 1 and/or Round 2 are also eligible to apply for Round 3.
Round 3 includes two funding streams:
- Stream One: Rural, remote and specialised services.
- Stream Two: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services.
Support at Home Thin Markets Grant level of support
Total available funding: Up to $311.4 million (2026–27).
Funding is calculated using eligible Support at Home participant numbers and applicable daily funding loadings over a 12-month period.
- Minimum amount: Not specified.
- Maximum amount: Calculated based on eligible participant numbers and applicable daily loadings.
Stream One
- Specialised Services A – $2.88 per participant per day
- Specialised Services B – $4.86 per participant per day
- MM3 – $2.19
- MM4 – $2.19
- MM5 – $5.59
- MM6 – $32.06
- MM7 – $38.54
Stream Two
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services – $16.28 per participant per day
Applicants may also claim applicable MM loadings and specialised service loadings, subject to the grant guidelines.
Co-contribution / matched funding:
- Not required.
Support at Home Thin Markets Grant important dates
- Closing: 26 November 2026 at 2:00 pm (ACT Local Time)
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Support at Home Thin Markets Grant objectives
The objectives of the grant are to:
- Provide flexible funding to help providers meet higher business costs associated with delivering Support at Home services in thin markets.
- Help older Australians access affordable, high-quality Support at Home services regardless of their location, background or life experiences.
- Improve the financial sustainability of providers delivering services in thin markets.
Additional objective for Stream Two
- Support increased delivery of culturally safe aged care services by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations.
Projects and expenditure eligible for Support at Home Thin Markets Grant support
Grant funds must be spent on goods/services directly related to delivering Support at Home aged care services.
Eligible expenditure may include (not limited to):
- Labour costs: wages and on-costs; training/professional development/supervision; recruitment and retention initiatives tied to service delivery
- Domestic travel/transport: fuel, maintenance/servicing; leasing/hire/reasonable replacement of vehicles used for clients/workforce
- Consumables & supplies / operating costs: stationery/printing/postage; PPE/cleaning; admin and operating costs; rent/rates/utilities; insurance linked to service delivery; business systems, audit and compliance; reasonable local marketing for service availability (not general brand promotion)
- Minor capital costs (no planning approval, no separate capital works agreement): accessibility upgrades; internal refurbishments; energy efficiency improvements; furniture/fittings/equipment for service delivery; ICT hardware/software; vehicles and mobility aids for service delivery
Additional eligible expenditure may include:
- Costs associated with inflation and fuel price increases.
- Navigation and support services for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Costs that increase Support at Home service delivery by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations.
- Stream Two evaluation participation costs (where applicable).
You must incur eligible expenditure between the start and end/completion date of the grant agreement.
You cannot use the grant for:
- Activities not associated with delivering Support at Home services under the Aged Care Act 2024
- Activities relating to other aged care programs (e.g. residential aged care, CHSP)
- Services you are not registered for / people who aren’t eligible/approved
- Purchase of land
- Major capital works (planning approval, new buildings, significant structural changes, works triggering regulatory/plumbing/zoning requirements)
- Overseas travel/activities outside Australia
- Costs already funded (or better funded) by other government sources
- Paying ransom for cybercrime
- Costs incurred preparing the grant application
- General exclusions including retrospective costs; entertainment/alcohol/gifts/hospitality; fines/penalties/legal costs; excessive/luxury purchases; governance costs unrelated to service delivery
Other Support at Home Thin Markets Grant important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Support at Home Thin Markets Grant support
Eligible applicants must be registered Support at Home providers delivering services under the Support at Home program.
Stream One
Providers delivering:
- Support at Home services in Modified Monash (MM) Areas 3–7; and/or
- Specialised services through outlets holding (or applying for) Specialisation Verification.
Stream Two
Eligible organisations include:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations delivering Support at Home services; or
- Eligible not-for-profit or government organisations delivering culturally safe Support at Home services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants that meet additional eligibility requirements, including Specialisation Verification and a Letter of Support where required.
Providers that received funding in Round 1 and/or Round 2 may also apply for Round 3.
Support at Home Thin Markets Grant assessment criteria
Applications will be assessed to determine whether they satisfy the eligibility requirements and represent value with relevant money.
Assessment will consider:
- Eligibility against the grant guidelines.
- Contribution to the grant objectives.
- Geographic priorities.
- Target participants.
- Value with relevant money.
Funding will be allocated to eligible applications in the order they are approved until available funding is exhausted.
How do I get the Support at Home Thin Markets Grant?
To maximise your chances of success, applicants should demonstrate that:
- They are an eligible Support at Home provider delivering services in eligible thin markets.
- They meet all eligibility requirements for the selected funding stream.
- Their proposed expenditure directly supports the delivery of eligible Support at Home services.
- Their participant numbers and provider information are accurate and up to date.
- They have obtained, or have applied for, Specialisation Verification where required.
- They have completed the Grant Funding Estimation Tool accurately.
- All required supporting documentation is included with the application.
- They can demonstrate how the funding will improve access to affordable, high-quality Support at Home services.
- Their application clearly aligns with the objectives of the grant program.
- They submit a complete application as early as possible before funding is exhausted.
Information to prepare for the Support at Home Thin Markets Grant application
Applicants should prepare:
- Completed Grant Funding Estimation Tool.
- Bank verification documentation.
- Specialisation Verification documentation (where applicable).
- Letter of Support (where required for Stream Two applicants).
- Supporting documentation requested in the application form.
Applying for the Support at Home Thin Markets Grant
Applications are submitted online via the GrantConnect.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Support at Home Thin Markets Grant resources
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