Dear SWEP practitioner,
Re: New Support at Home classifications and application to Victorian Aids and Equipment Program (VAEP) guidelines
Effective 1 November 2025, the Commonwealth government introduced the Support at Home program with 8 classifications with increasing levels of funding to replace the previous 4 levels of the Home Care Package (HCP) program.
Updates to the VAEP guidelines are as follows:
- Commonwealth Government Support at Home classification level 1 to 3 recipients
Can apply for all assistive technology items available under SWEP, except domiciliary oxygen.
This should be funded through the Oxygen Supplement of the Support at Home program.
- Commonwealth Government Support at Home classification level 4 to 8 recipients
Can only apply for SWEP subsidies for a mobility scooter, a powered wheelchair, home modifications and to the
Electronic Communication Devices Scheme (ECDS) for electronic communication devices.
Clients accessing continence products from SWEP may also be able to access supports from other programs such as the Commonwealth Government's Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS). However, please note that eligibility for Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) is changing with the introduction of Support at Home. From February 2026, if participants are eligible for continence products through the Support at Home program, CAPS eligibility will end. For further information visit the Australian Government Continence Aids Payment Scheme and Support at Home service list FAQs websites.
Please continue to submit applications to VAEP for your consumers by applying the classification guidance above.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the SWEP team on 1300 747 937 or email us at swep@gh.org.au.
Kind Regards
Rachel Fishlock
General Manager
Aged and Community Care
