Govt makes next move on Support at Home funding

The Federal Government has opened applications for the third round of Thin Market Grants, making $311.4 million available to eligible Support at Home providers.

Aged Care Minister Sam Rae announced the latest funding round, which is aimed at providers delivering services in thin markets, as well as those supporting older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other specialised cohorts.

 Providers are eligible to apply if they are delivering Support at Home services: 

• in Modified Monash (MM) areas 3 (large rural towns) to MM 7 (very remote communities); 
• specialised services in any region; or 
• culturally responsive services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Thin Market Grants were first announced in 2024 as part of the Federal Government's $900 million commitment aged care services operating in thin markets or providing services to cohorts with particular needs.

Of that funding, $600 million was allocated to Support at Home operators, with the remaining $300 million earmarked as infrastructure funding for aged care providers under the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program (ACCAP).

Round 1 of the Thin Market Grants for Support at Home providers opened in April 2024, offering $297.4 million in funding, followed by Round 2 worth $100 million in November 2025.

Round 3 will provide a further $311.4 million.

The Weekly SOURCE asked the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing whether previous rounds of the program had been undersubscribed, but had not received a response by publication.

Providers that received funding in earlier rounds remain eligible to apply.

Applications close 2pm (AEDT) on 26 November 2026. More information is available here.