Skip to content
Aged care

Self-Managed Home Care & Support at Home

How self-managed home care works — more choice and flexibility over who supports you, how it's arranged and what it means for your budget.

An older woman and her support worker smiling together while tending roses in the garden

More say over who helps, when and how. Support Network helps older Australians and their families find and choose support workers — whether you still think of it as a Home Care Package or you're now on Support at Home.

Support arranged across Australia | You choose who supports you Workers screened before joining

Home Care Packages → Support at Home

Looking for Self-Managed Home Care Packages?

Home Care Packages have been replaced by the Support at Home program. People still search for 'self-managed Home Care Packages', and that's fine — the idea is the same: more choice and control over the aged care services you receive at home. Support Network offers self-managed Support at Home arrangements.

This page explains how the old and new terms fit together, and how choosing your own support workers works in practice.

How It Connects

From Home Care Packages to Choosing Your Own Workers

Home Care Packages

  1. Step 1 Home Care Packages The previous program many people still know.
  2. Step 2 Support at Home The current program for aged care at home.
  3. Step 3 Self-management More involvement in organising your services.
  4. Step 4 Choosing workers Deciding who comes into your home.
  5. Step 5 Support Network Helps you find and choose suitable workers.

Support at Home

Self-management

Choosing workers

Support Network

Support at Home Levels

How Support at Home Funding Levels Work

Support at Home has 8 funding classifications for ongoing services — often called levels 1 to 8. Your classification is set at your aged care assessment through My Aged Care: the more care you need, the higher your classification and the larger your budget.

Budgets are provided quarterly. Unspent funds can be carried over to the next quarter, up to $1,000 or 10% of the quarterly budget, whichever is greater.

If your needs change, you can ask My Aged Care about being reassessed for a higher classification and budget.

You don't pick a level

Your classification is determined by your aged care assessment, not by choosing one. Your assessment outcome letter sets out your classification and quarterly budget.

Short-term supports

Alongside the 8 ongoing classifications, Support at Home includes a Restorative Care Pathway (up to 16 weeks of allied-health-focused support), an End-of-Life Pathway, and separate funding for assistive technology and home modifications.

What the levels replaced

The old Home Care Packages program had 4 levels. Support at Home uses 8 classifications, which allows funding to sit closer to each person's assessed needs.

Funding Classifications

Support at Home Levels 1–8 and Budgets

Government funding amounts for each classification, current as of 1 July 2026. Amounts are indexed on 1 July each year.

LevelQuarterly budgetAnnual amount
1$2,752.50$11,010.01
2$4,112.84$16,451.35
3$5,634.20$22,536.81
4$7,617.13$30,468.51
5$10,182.38$40,729.53
6$12,341.32$49,365.27
7$14,915.00$59,660.00
8$20,034.28$80,137.12

Your classification and budget are confirmed in your assessment outcome letter from My Aged Care. However your support is funded, Support Network can help you put it to work with workers you choose.

The Basics

What Is Self-Managed Home Care?

Self-managed home care means the older person — or their family — takes a more active role in organising their aged care at home: choosing support workers, setting schedules and deciding how services fit their routine. A provider still manages the government funding and compliance behind it.

Can I self-manage my home care?

Many people can take on some self-management. How much depends on your provider's options and how involved you or your family want to be.

What happened to Home Care Packages?

The Home Care Packages program was replaced by Support at Home from November 2025. Existing package recipients moved to Support at Home.

What is Support at Home?

Support at Home is the Australian Government program that funds aged care services for older people living at home, following an assessment through My Aged Care.

Can Support at Home be self-managed?

Yes. Support Network offers self-managed Support at Home arrangements where you take on more of the organising and choose your own workers. We can walk you through what's involved.

Choice and control

How Does Self-Managed Aged Care Work?

Typically, your provider looks after funding, invoicing and compliance, while you or your family take a hands-on role in choosing workers and arranging when support happens.

  • Who your support workers are
  • Which days and times suit you
  • How support fits your routines
  • Changing arrangements as needs shift

Want More Say in Your Home Care?

We'll explain how choosing your own workers can work with your current arrangements.

Choosing Workers

Choosing Your Own Support Workers

The biggest reason people look into self-managed aged care is choice over who comes into their home. Support Network helps you review suitable workers and decide who fits.

Self-managed home care providers

Providers vary in how much self-management they allow and what they charge. Compare what's included and what you'll be responsible for.

Support at Home providers

Support Network delivers Support at Home services, with self-managed options that let you choose your own workers. We don't deliver the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).

Services

What Support Can I Receive at Home?

Depending on your assessment, funding and provider, support at home can include:

Personal care

Showering, dressing and grooming.

Domestic assistance

Cleaning, laundry and keeping the home safe.

Meal preparation

Preparing meals the way you like them.

Transport

Getting to appointments and outings.

Shopping

Help with groceries and errands.

Community access

Staying connected with clubs, friends and activities.

Companionship

Regular company and conversation.

Respite

Giving family carers a break.

Overnight support

Someone there at night. See overnight care.

Daily support

Regular visits built around your routine.

Nursing support

Where appropriate and delivered by qualified nurses.

Working Together

How Support Network Works With Older Australians and Families

We start with a conversation about routines, preferences and what a good day looks like. Then we help you find workers who suit — and families can be as involved as the older person wants.

We don't provide funding, eligibility, legal or financial advice. For those questions, speak with My Aged Care or your provider.

Common Questions

Self-Managed Home Care: Frequently Asked Questions

Support at Home has 8 funding classifications (levels 1 to 8) for ongoing services. Your level is determined by your aged care assessment through My Aged Care — the more care you need, the higher your classification and the larger your budget. Budgets are provided quarterly and amounts are indexed on 1 July each year.

Self-managed home care is an arrangement where the older person or their family takes a more active role in organising their aged care services — for example choosing workers and scheduling support — while a registered provider still manages the funding.

Home Care Packages have been replaced by the Support at Home program, which began in November 2025. People who had a Home Care Package moved across to Support at Home. Many people still search for and use the term 'Home Care Packages'.

Yes. Support Network offers self-managed Support at Home arrangements, where you or your family take on more of the organising and have a real say in who provides your support. Talk to us about what's involved and what responsibilities come with it.

In many cases, yes. Support Network lets older people and families review suitable workers and choose who comes into the home, subject to availability and your provider's arrangements.

Yes. Support Network delivers Support at Home services, including self-managed arrangements where you have more say over choosing your workers. We don't deliver the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) — if your support is funded through CHSP, My Aged Care can help you find providers that do.

Depending on your assessment and funding, services can include personal care, domestic assistance, meal preparation, transport, shopping, community access, companionship, respite, overnight support and nursing support where appropriate.

Yes. Access to government-funded aged care at home is through My Aged Care, which arranges an assessment. We can't assess eligibility or funding.

Yes. Many families help with organising support, especially when an older person prefers not to manage the details themselves.

Many people arrange private support while waiting. Talk to us about what's involved.

Related Support

Related Support Network Services

Whenever you’re ready

Talk to Us About Self-Managed Care

Share a few details and we'll call to talk through choosing your own support workers.

Tell us about the support needed

Share a few details and a member of our team will call you back to talk it through. .eq-autocomplete { position: relative; } .eq-suggest { position: absolute; z-index: 50; top: calc(100% + 2px); left: 0; right: 0; max-height: 260px; overflow-y: auto; background: #fff; border: 1px solid #d7dee6; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(16, 42, 67, .12); } .eq-suggest[hidden] { display: none; } .eq-suggest__item { padding: 10px 14px; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.3; color: #21323f; cursor: pointer; border-bottom: 1px solid #eef2f6; } .eq-suggest__item:last-child { border-bottom: 0; } .eq-suggest__item:hover, .eq-suggest__item.is-active { background: #eef7f8; } .eq-suggest__empty { padding: 10px 14px; font-size: 14px; color: #6b7c8a; } How can we help you? NDIS Support Aged Care Support Partnership / Provider Enquiry Overnight Home Care NDIS High Intensity Support Complex Care Services 24 Hour Home Care Self-Managed Home Care Your Name * Phone * Email * Postcode What are you looking for? How soon do you need help? Please select Urgently / within 48 hours This week Within 2–4 weeks Planning ahead Just making an enquiry Partnership details Organisation Name Your Role Anything else you'd like us to know? (optional) Submit No obligation. We'll review your enquiry and let you know how we can help. document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function () { if (window.lucide) { lucide.createIcons(); } var form = document.getElementById('standardEnquiryForm'); if (!form) return; var typeSelect = document.getElementById('eq-type'); var partnershipBox = document.getElementById('eqPartnershipBox'); var orgInput = document.getElementById('eq-org'); var roleInput = document.getElementById('eq-role'); var btn = document.getElementById('enquirySubmitBtn'); var alertBox = document.getElementById('enquiryAlertBox'); function syncPartnershipFields() { var isPartnership = typeSelect.value === 'partnership'; partnershipBox.hidden = !isPartnership; orgInput.required = isPartnership; roleInput.required = isPartnership; } typeSelect.addEventListener('change', syncPartnershipFields); syncPartnershipFields(); // keep fields in sync for a pre-selected value on load // Capture the page URL the form is displayed on; saved with the enquiry var pageUrlInput = document.getElementById('eq-page-url'); if (pageUrlInput) { pageUrlInput.value = window.location.href; } // --------------------------------------------------------------- // Suburb / Postcode autocomplete (same source as the home page search) // --------------------------------------------------------------- var locationInput = document.getElementById('eq-location'); var suggestBox = document.getElementById('eqLocationSuggest'); var tokenInput = form.querySelector('input[name="_token"]'); var suggestTimer = null; var activeIndex = -1; var lastQuery = ''; function closeSuggest() { if (!suggestBox) return; suggestBox.hidden = true; suggestBox.innerHTML = ''; activeIndex = -1; locationInput.setAttribute('aria-expanded', 'false'); } function setActive(index) { var items = suggestBox.querySelectorAll('.eq-suggest__item'); if (!items.length) return; if (index < 0) index = items.length - 1; if (index >= items.length) index = 0; activeIndex = index; for (var i = 0; i < items.length; i++) { items[i].classList.toggle('is-active', i === activeIndex); } items[activeIndex].scrollIntoView({ block: 'nearest' }); } function chooseItem(item) { if (!item) return; locationInput.value = item.getAttribute('data-label'); closeSuggest(); } function renderSuggestions(rows) { if (!rows.length) { suggestBox.innerHTML = '<div class="eq-suggest__empty">No matching suburb or postcode</div>'; suggestBox.hidden = false; locationInput.setAttribute('aria-expanded', 'true'); activeIndex = -1; return; } var html = ''; rows.slice(0, 10).forEach(function (row) { var label = [row.suburb, row.state, row.postcode].filter(Boolean).join(', '); html += '<div class="eq-suggest__item" role="option" data-label="' + label.replace(/"/g, '&quot;') + '">' + label + '</div>'; }); suggestBox.innerHTML = html; suggestBox.hidden = false; locationInput.setAttribute('aria-expanded', 'true'); activeIndex = -1; } function fetchSuggestions(term) { fetch('https://supportnetwork.com.au/suggpostcodes', { method: 'POST', headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json', 'X-CSRF-TOKEN': tokenInput ? tokenInput.value : '', 'X-Requested-With': 'XMLHttpRequest', 'Accept': 'application/json' }, body: JSON.stringify({ postcode: term }) }) .then(function (response) { return response.json(); }) .then(function (data) { // ignore a stale response if the user has typed on if (term !== lastQuery) return; renderSuggestions((data && data.data) ? data.data : []); }) .catch(function () { closeSuggest(); }); } if (locationInput && suggestBox) { locationInput.addEventListener('input', function () { var term = locationInput.value.trim(); lastQuery = term; clearTimeout(suggestTimer); if (term.length < 2) { closeSuggest(); return; } suggestTimer = setTimeout(function () { fetchSuggestions(term); }, 250); }); locationInput.addEventListener('keydown', function (e) { if (suggestBox.hidden) return; if (e.key === 'ArrowDown') { e.preventDefault(); setActive(activeIndex + 1); } else if (e.key === 'ArrowUp') { e.preventDefault(); setActive(activeIndex - 1); } else if (e.key === 'Enter') { var items = suggestBox.querySelectorAll('.eq-suggest__item'); if (activeIndex > -1 && items[activeIndex]) { e.preventDefault(); // suggestion pick, form submit nahi chooseItem(items[activeIndex]); } } else if (e.key === 'Escape') { closeSuggest(); } }); // mousedown taki blur se pehle select ho jaye suggestBox.addEventListener('mousedown', function (e) { var item = e.target.closest('.eq-suggest__item'); if (!item) return; e.preventDefault(); chooseItem(item); }); document.addEventListener('click', function (e) { if (!locationInput.closest('.eq-autocomplete').contains(e.target)) { closeSuggest(); } }); } form.addEventListener('submit', function (e) { e.preventDefault(); if (!form.checkValidity()) { form.reportValidity(); return; } var originalBtnHtml = btn ? btn.innerHTML : ''; if (btn) { btn.disabled = true; btn.innerHTML = 'Submitting...'; } if (alertBox) { alertBox.className = 'alert d-none my-3'; alertBox.innerHTML = ''; } fetch(form.getAttribute('action'), { method: 'POST', body: new FormData(form), headers: { 'X-Requested-With': 'XMLHttpRequest', 'Accept': 'application/json' } }) .then(function (response) { return response.json().then(function (data) { return { status: response.status, body: data }; }); }) .then(function (res) { if (btn) { btn.disabled = false; btn.innerHTML = originalBtnHtml; } if (res.status === 200 && res.body.status) { form.reset(); syncPartnershipFields(); if (alertBox) { alertBox.className = 'alert alert-success my-3'; alertBox.innerHTML = res.body.message || 'Thank you! Your enquiry has been submitted.'; alertBox.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'center' }); } // Redirect to the thank-you page on success if (btn) { btn.disabled = true; btn.innerHTML = 'Redirecting...'; } window.location.href = res.body.redirect || 'https://supportnetwork.com.au/care-form-thank-you'; return; } else { var errorMsg = res.body.message || 'Please fill in all required fields accurately.'; if (res.body.errors) { var firstKey = Object.keys(res.body.errors)[0]; errorMsg = res.body.errors[firstKey][0]; } if (alertBox) { alertBox.className = 'alert alert-danger my-3'; alertBox.innerHTML = errorMsg; alertBox.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'center' }); } } }) .catch(function () { if (btn) { btn.disabled = false; btn.innerHTML = originalBtnHtml; } if (alertBox) { alertBox.className = 'alert alert-danger my-3'; alertBox.innerHTML = 'An error occurred while submitting. Please try again.'; alertBox.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'center' }); } }); }); });

Ready when you are

Let’s figure it out together

No pressure. No confusion. Just clear, kind guidance — one step at a time.