How Will Self-Management Work In Support At Home?

What self-management means

Instead of relying on your provider to arrange every detail, you (or someone you trust, such as a family member) take on tasks like:

• Coordinating your own services
• Booking and scheduling your care workers
• Deciding how your budget is spent
• Making sure invoices and receipts are collected and matched to your care plan

Self-management doesn’t mean doing everything alone. You’re still required to have a provider to hold your funding, manage compliance and ensure your care workers meet the required standards. The difference is that you have more freedom to choose how your care is organised day to day.

How will self-management workin the new Support at Home program?

When the Support at Home program begins, the option to self-manage will still be available. The government has recognised how valuable it is for people to have greater control over their care, especially in regional and remote communities where flexibility is essential.

Here’s what to expect from the new system:

• You and your provider will agree on which tasks you’ll self-manage, from booking services to choosing workers.
• Your care will be guided by a support plan created during your aged care assessment. This plan outlines your needs, goals, classification and quarterly budget.
• You can only spend your funding on items and services listed in your support plan and on the official service list.
• If your needs change, you can request a reassessment to adjust your plan and budget.

This approach ensures your independence is protected while also providing clearer rules so your funding is used in line with the Support at Home program.

Working with third-party workers

A common question is whether you can continue to engage carers you already know and trust. The answer is yes, but the process will change slightly.

Under the new rules:

• You can use third-party workers, but only if your provider agrees.
• Your provider will remain responsible for all workers delivering your services, including third-party staff. They’ll need to make sure anyone you choose meets the required standards, such as registration or clearances.

Care management and fees

Even when you self-manage, you’ll still have a Customer Care Manager. This person will support you by updating your care plan, ensuring your budget is managed correctly and being your point of contact if issues arise.

Under Support at Home, 10% of your quarterly budget will be set aside for care management. This creates consistency, as fees under the current HCP system can vary widely between providers. With the new model, you’ll have a clear understanding of what you’re paying for care management each quarter.

New responsibilities for self-managed care

Self-management will still give you choice and flexibility, but there will be more structure around how funds are used. From 1 November 2025, people who self-manage will need to:

• Maintain records of all services, including dates, times, tasks and worker details
• Collect and submit invoices and receipts for every service or purchase made using Support at Home funds
• Use the centralised digital system provided by the government to track budgets, payments and care plans
• Work with providers to make sure spending follows the official service list and program rules

While they may add some extra administration, they also give you more visibility over how your budget is being used.

Transitioning from Home Care Packages to Support at Home

If you’re already self-managing an HCP, your funding will align with the same level you currently receive and you will only need a new assessment if your care needs have changed. If you’re waiting in the National Priority System, you’ll automatically transfer into the Support at Home Priority System. This new process allocates funding based on urgency — urgent, high, medium or standard — so people with the greatest need are supported first. Funding will be provided immediately after approval for short-term services like Restorative Care or End-of-Life Pathways.

How Homecare My Way can help

The move to the new Support at Home program on 1 November 2025 is a big shift, and while self-management remains an option, the extra rules and reporting requirements can feel complex. That’s where having the right provider matters. At Homecare My Way, we’ll guide you through the process and help you explore self-management options that fit your lifestyle. Let us help you prepare for the transition into the Support at Home program — get in touch with us today.