Self-managed home care
What does self-managed home care entail?
This model of home care allows individuals to select and hire their own care workers, making it an excellent option, particularly for those residing in remote locations where it can be more challenging to find care workers through conventional providers due to elevated demand.
By self-managing your home care, you accept a higher level of responsibility for:
- Deciding on the allocation of your funding.
- Choosing and engaging care service providers.
- Scheduling and coordinating with service providers and caregivers.
- Making direct payments for the services rendered.
- Verifying that your spending corresponds with your care plan and budget.
- Anyone who is receiving government-funded home care can opt to self-manage or have assistance from a caregiver, family member, or another representative.
When you take on self-management, it is a legal requirement to contract a home care provider to receive and hold your funds until you spend them on approved supports and services. You are required to coordinate with your provider to ensure that the services you receive are consistent with your assessment and care plan, and that your expenditures are tracked and reported accurately.
Here is a brief overview of the pros and cons associated with this model, giving you a more profound understanding of what it entails overall:
| PROS | CONS |
| You are in charge of deciding who your workers will be and when they will work. | Increased administrative tasks and paperwork – you are tasked with gathering receipts, quotes, and dispatching them. |
| Self-managed providers often have a much lower management fee. | If your care workers are ill or unavailable, obtaining a prompt replacement is unlikely; this situation can be stressful. |
| You can more easily compare different options and choose how and where to spend your budget. | You bear the responsibility of adhering to Home Care regulations – certain providers may not concur with your decisions. |
| Commencing in November 2025, the new Support at Home program will introduce improved tools and resources to assist with self-management. | Failure to comply with the rules appropriately may result in financial loss- providers might refuse to reimburse you if they dispute your expenses. |
| All workers you employ must have an ABN, Public Liability Insurance, and sometimes a Blue Card, ensuring confidence in their qualifications. | This can be both stressful and time-consuming, particularly for more advanced Classifications |
Will I be able to self-manage Support at Home?
Indeed, how you manage your home care independently will evolve. The Support at Home program will necessitate that self-managed home care recipients adhere to new regulations, implement greater structure in care coordination, and accept increased involvement from providers compared to the existing Home Care Package program.
The positive aspect is that you will continue to have the freedom and flexibility regarding the types of services you receive, and you will still have the option to select who provides your care, provided they fulfill the program’s criteria.
The subsequent modifications to self-managed home care will take effect from 1 November 2025:
Standardized pricing for services
Effective from 1 November 2025, service providers will establish their pricing in accordance with government guidelines. Each provider is required to display their prices on the My Aged Care website, enabling you to compare costs and assess whether your current provider offers good value for money.
Starting 1 November 2026, the government will implement fixed prices for the majority of home care services.
As a self-managed home care recipient, you will not have the ability to negotiate lower rates with care workers or services that fall outside the approved pricing framework. Additionally, any cost savings from direct hiring or utilizing informal support will be diminished or prohibited.
The Department of Health and Aged Care has released a Summary of indicative Support at Home prices Support at Home prices to clarify the expected price ranges for most home care services.
Compulsory utilization of authorized providers
Within the Support at Home framework, all services are required to be provided by recognized Support at Home providers. Should you currently employ care workers directly, this option will be limited unless those workers are registered or subcontracted via an approved provider.
If your existing caregivers are not sanctioned under Support at Home, you may:
- inquire about their preparations for Support at Home.
- motivate them to establish a connection with an approved provider.
- begin investigating your alternatives now in the event that you need to switch providers.
- start exploring your options now in case you need to change providers.
Support Services Connect Australia can assist you in evaluating home care options
Our extensive network of connected partners can assess your care needs, location, budget, and personal preferences to match you with suitable and available home care providers in your area.
Our free service facilitates a straightforward, rapid, and completely free exploration of your home care options, ensuring you continue to receive quality care and value for your money when Support at Home begins.
Capped fee for a Care Manager
Even if you opt to self-manage your care, a Support at Home Care Manager will be assigned to you. This manager will help you revise your care plan, ensure your spending aligns with guidelines, and act as your contact for any service delivery concerns.
For the services rendered by this Care Manager, you will be charged a fixed administration fee, which will be capped at 10% of your Support at Home budget.
These administration fees currently differ greatly among providers, sometimes accounting for 20–40% or more of a Support at Home budget.
Stricter reporting and budget regulations
As a recipient of self-managed home care, starting from 1 November 2025, you will be required to dedicate more time to administrative responsibilities. You will need to:
- Maintain precise records: Ensure that you keep comprehensive records of all services received, which should include dates, times, tasks performed, and the names of the support workers involved.
- Gather invoices and receipts: Collect all invoices and receipts for services and purchases made with your Support at Home funds, ensuring they correspond with your care plan and budget.
- Utilize the new centralized digital system for Support at Home: This system will allow you to create and manage your care plan, report on your budget and expenditures, and monitor the delivery of the services you receive.
The Government will conduct regular checks to ensure that your spending is in accordance with the approved services list, and they will ensure that your service payments, purchases, and any unused funds are properly accounted for.
Can you transition to self-management if you already have a provider?
Yes. Some providers allow clients to transition from a standard agreement to a self-managed model. If your current provider does not provide self-management, you can opt to switch to one that does. Changing home care providers is simple and free of charge. Providers cannot impose an exit fee, and any remaining funds will transfer with you.
To begin the process, reach out to My Aged Care at 1800 200 422 and ask for a referral code for your new provider.
Get free assistance now!
Support Services Connect Australia is here to help you comprehend the evolving landscape of home care and the implications these changes may have on you. We consistently provide our families with the latest news and information regarding home care.
We aid tens of thousands of senior Australians in navigating each phase of their home care experience.
Our home care support service is entirely free, independent, and without obligation. Connect with us today to begin your journey.