Are you getting the most out of your home care funding?
Whether you are a new participant in the Support at Home program or a “transitioned” participant (formerly on a Home Care Package), the goal is always the same: keeping your loved one safe and independent at home for as long as possible.
But with fixed quarterly budgets and rising costs, many families worry that their funding won’t stretch far enough.
The good news? You have more control than you think. Even though you cannot change your government classification level, you can work with your provider to change how you spend that budget. By making a few strategic adjustments to your care plan, you can often unlock extra hours of support.
Here are 5 smart strategies to discuss with your provider to help you get more care for the same money.
1. The “Right Worker for the Job” Strategy
This is often the biggest area for immediate savings. In aged care, the cost of a service depends heavily on the qualification level of the person delivering it.
A common trap is role creep, where a highly qualified staff member (like a Registered Nurse) performs tasks that a less specialised worker could do just as well.
But wait, isn’t Clinical Care free?
Under Support at Home, Clinical Care is 100% government funded. However, the full cost of that registered nurse ($110+ per hr) is still deducted from your quarterly Budget.
- The Risk: If you use a Registered Nurse for daily tasks like showering, you drain your quarterly funding pool twice as fast. Once that pool is empty, you cannot access any more subsidised services until the next quarter.
- The Fix: Update your care plan to use the Nurse only for clinical tasks (wound care and medication). Use a Personal Care Worker ($65–$75/hr) for showering, dressing and mobility.
- The Result: You preserve your budget, allowing you to afford significantly more hours of care before hitting your quarterly cap.
2. Swap Hourly Labour for “Outsourced” Services
Are you paying a support worker an hourly wage to perform tasks that specialised services can do cheaper?
Example A: Meal Preparation
Instead of paying a worker for two hours to shop and cook in your kitchen (labour + travel cost), consider pre-made meal delivery.
- Why: Under Support at Home, the preparation and delivery portion of the meal cost is subsidised. You often only pay for the raw ingredients, which is far cheaper than paying a worker’s hourly wage to cook a single meal.
Learn more: Check the complete Support at Home Service List here.
Example B: Transport
Paying a worker to drive you to an appointment often means paying their hourly rate plus a per-kilometre fee.
- Why: Community Transport services or specialised transport providers often charge a flat trip fee. This saves your hourly funding for face-to-face help at home.
3. Compare “Unit Prices” (It’s Easier Now!)
One of the best changes under the Support at Home program is that pricing is now much more transparent.
Previously, comparing providers was a nightmare. Provider A might have a low hourly rate but a high “Package Management” fee, while Provider B had high rates but low fees.
Now, providers must bundle their “Package Management” (administration) and Travel Costs directly into their hourly service rates. (Note: Care Management is now a standard 10% fee for everyone, so you don’t need to compare it!).
- The Win: You can finally make a direct “apples-to-apples” comparison of the service cost.
- Action: Look at your statement. If Provider A charges $85 per hour for cleaning and Provider B charges $72 per hour for the exact same service, you can instantly see who offers better value because there are no hidden admin fees waiting to surprise you.
Tip: If your current provider’s hourly rates seem different to the market average, have a chat with your Case Manager. Sometimes higher rates reflect specialised training or continuity of staff, but it’s always worth understanding exactly what you are paying for.
4. Group Your Services to Avoid Minimum Charges
Most aged care workers are covered by Awards that entitle them to a minimum payment per shift (often 2 hours).
If you schedule a worker to come for just 45 minutes to help with breakfast, your provider might still have to charge you for a full hour or more to cover their staff costs.
- The Fix: Work with your Case Manager to stack your services. Instead of a 45-minute visit in the morning and a 45-minute visit at lunch, try to group tasks into a continuous block if possible or ensure each visit meets the minimum efficient time (usually 1 hour).
- The Result: You ensure every dollar you spend pays for actual time on site rather than paying for gap time.
5. Check Your Eligibility for Supplements
Are you claiming everything you are entitled to? The government offers specific Supplements that add extra funds to your budget, which do not come out of your own pocket.
Common supplements include:
- Veterans’ Supplement: For veterans with service-related mental health conditions.
- Oxygen and Enteral Feeding Supplements: For specific medical needs.
Action: Ask your Case Manager: “Are we receiving all the supplements Mum is eligible for?” If they haven’t checked recently, ask for a review.
Find out more about Support at Home Supplements [link to post]
You don’t need to cut back on care to save money. You just need to spend your budget intelligently.
By matching the right worker to the right task, using specialised services for meals and transport and comparing unit prices, you can make your Support at Home budget go further.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing to a less qualified worker for some tasks affect my care quality?
It shouldn’t. In fact, Personal Care Workers are specifically trained for daily living tasks like showering and mobility. While Registered Nurses are essential for clinical needs, they aren’t necessarily better at domestic or personal care tasks than a dedicated support worker.
Can my provider refuse to let me use a cheaper service?
You create your Care Plan together with your provider. They must make sure services are delivered safely, which sometimes means recommending a specific level of care. (e.g. they might insist on a nurse for complex wound care). At the same time, they will work with you to find cost-effective options. If your preferences aren’t being considered, you can talk it through or explore other providers that better suit your needs.
Do I lose my unspent funds if I switch providers to get better rates?
No. Under the Support at Home program, your unspent funds generally follow you. If you decide that another provider is a better fit for your changing needs or budget, you can move your care management without losing your accumulated funds.
Aged Care Decisions provides a 100% FREE service to compare local providers and find the best match for your needs and budget.
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