24-Hour Care at Home
24-hour care means someone is there when support is needed — day and night — in the person's own home. It's arranged through a coordinated team of support workers on a roster, for older Australians, people with disability and people coming home from hospital.
The Basics
24-hour care at home is round-the-clock support delivered in the person's own home by a coordinated team of support workers working in shifts. It covers daily routines, meals, personal care and company during the day, plus sleepover or active overnight support — so help is always available without moving into residential care.
Older people who can no longer be safely left alone, people living with dementia, people with disability who need continuous support, and people recovering after a hospital stay.
Often, yes — where the home is suitable and a consistent team can be put together. Needs, location, funding and worker availability all shape what's possible.
The day is split into shifts with clear handovers. A small regular team rotates so each worker is rested and the person sees familiar faces.
Overnight is usually either a sleepover (the worker sleeps and assists if needed) or active night support (the worker stays awake). See overnight care for the difference.
A Typical Day
Morning
Personal care, breakfast, getting ready and daily routines.
Daytime
Appointments, meals, activities, household support and community access.
Evening
Dinner, personal care and preparing for the night.
Overnight
Sleepover or active overnight support depending on the person's individual support arrangement.
One worker does not work continuously for 24 hours. Round-the-clock support uses coordinated shifts or a roster appropriate to the person's requirements.
Who It's For
For many older people, 24-hour care makes it possible to stay at home through dementia, frailty or a period of decline. Workers support routines, safety and company while families stay involved.
People with high physical support or complex needs may need someone present at all times. See our high-intensity support and complex care pages for how workers are matched.
The NDIS may fund round-the-clock support where reasonable and necessary. We work with self-managed, plan-managed and agency-managed participants and Support Coordinators; we don't make funding decisions.
The first weeks home can need more support than later on. Planning with the discharge team early means the roster is ready on the day.
Tell us the hours and type of support needed and we'll explain what a roster could look like.
Comparing Options
| Feature | 24-hour care at home | Overnight care at home | Residential aged care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Own home | Own home | Aged care home |
| When support is there | Day and night, via a roster | Night-time hours only | Staff on site around the clock |
| Who provides it | A small, consistent team | One overnight worker per shift | Facility staff shared between residents |
| Suits people who | Need someone present at all times | Manage by day but need help at night | Need care best delivered in a facility |
| Choice over workers | High — you help choose | High — you help choose | Limited |
The right option depends on the person's needs, safety, preferences and funding. See our overnight care page for night-only support.
Understanding Cost
There's no single price for 24-hour care at home. Cost depends on the type of support, the number and timing of shifts, weekday, weekend and public-holiday requirements, whether overnight is sleepover or active, the skills needed, individual care needs and how support is funded.
We don't publish a one-size-fits-all rate because it would be misleading. Tell us about the situation and we'll explain the factors that apply to you.
Consistency
Round-the-clock care works best with a small regular team, clear handovers and familiar back-up workers. The person shouldn't have to explain their routine to a stranger every shift.
For Professionals
Discharge planners, case managers, Support Coordinators and health professionals can refer someone who needs 24-hour support at home.
Only share what you have consent to share. We will confirm anything else we need when we call.
Common Questions
Often, yes. 24-hour care at home is arranged through a coordinated roster of support workers covering day, evening and overnight shifts. Whether it's possible depends on the person's needs, location, worker availability and funding.
The day is divided into shifts. A small team of workers covers mornings, daytime, evenings and overnight, with handovers between shifts. Overnight may be a sleepover or active night shift depending on needs.
No. Round-the-clock support normally involves several workers on coordinated shifts, so each worker is rested and alert.
There's no single price. Cost depends on the type of support, number and timing of shifts, weekday, weekend and public-holiday requirements, whether overnight is sleepover or active, the skills needed and how it's funded. Talk to us for information relevant to your situation.
It can be. Many people living with dementia benefit from familiar surroundings and consistent workers. We look for workers with dementia experience and plan the roster around the person's routines.
The NDIS may fund round-the-clock support where it's reasonable and necessary and included in a participant's plan. We don't assess or approve funding.
Support at Home funding may contribute to some services, but it's often not enough on its own for continuous 24-hour care. Many families combine funding with private arrangements. Your aged care provider or My Aged Care can confirm what applies to you.
24-hour care covers the full day and night. Overnight care covers only the night-time hours, for people who manage during the day but need someone there at night.
For some people it is. Staying at home keeps routines and independence but requires careful planning and cost. For others, residential care is the better option. We can talk through what home-based support would involve.
It depends on how many workers are needed, the skills required and location. Building a full roster can take longer than a single shift. We'll be honest about timing.
Whenever you’re ready
Share what's needed and we'll call to talk through the options.
Share a few details and a member of our team will call you back to talk it through.
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