Thin Market funding to strengthen rural aged care

More than $311 million in funding is being made available to aged care providers delivering in-home services in rural and remote areas, as the Labor government opens the third round of its Support at Home Thin Markets grants program.

The funding is aimed at helping providers continue delivering services in areas where workforce shortages, geographic isolation or low client numbers can make care more difficult and expensive to provide.

Aged Care Minister Sam Rae said the program includes two funding streams: one for rural, remote and specialised services, and another dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services.

“The Albanese Labor Government is delivering a further $300 million to ensure older Australians, no matter where they are, can live independently and remain at home for longer,” he said.

This latest round provides $311.4 million in flexible funding for eligible Support at Home providers and follows two previous grant rounds designed to strengthen service delivery in thin markets.

Providers may be eligible if they deliver services in Modified Monash areas 3 to 7, provide specialised aged care services in any region, or deliver culturally responsive services to older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“Support at Home is now operating at record levels. By the end of the next financial year, 420,000 older Australians will have a place in the system – almost three times as many with a Home Care Package in 2020,” Minister Rae said.

Providers that received funding in the first two rounds of the Thin Markets program are also able to apply for Round 3.

To be eligible, organisations must already be delivering Support at Home services and be registered under the Aged Care Act 2024 to provide aged care services in Registration Category 4, including care management.

Some applicants may also require Specialisation Verification, a voluntary process that recognises providers that offer tailored services for specific communities and groups.

Verification is available across nine cohorts, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, veterans, people experiencing homelessness, care leavers, LGBTQIA+ people and those living in rural and remote areas.

Verified providers are also listed on the My Aged Care website to help older Australians and their families identify services with experience supporting their specific needs.

“Grants like these are helping more care to be delivered into communities and support providers in thin markets to deliver the care our loved ones deserve,” Minister Rae said.

Applications for the third grant round close on November 26 2026.

Visit the GrantConnect website for more information.