What is a Self-Managed Home Care Package — and Why It’s Changing Lives

A self-managed package is exactly what it sounds like. You’re given funding through the government’s Home Care Package program, and instead of a provider making all the choices, you take the lead. You pick your own workers. You set the schedule. You decide what your support looks like, whether that’s help around the house, meal preparation, transport, or personal care.

But what makes this approach so different—and so effective—is the way it respects your independence.

There’s less waste. Less waiting. And much more say in how your care is delivered. Because you’re not tied to one set of workers or locked into a company’s way of doing things, the care tends to feel more human, more familiar. Often, it leads to better value too—because more of your funding goes directly to the services you need, not overheads.

We make sure that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. We track spending, manage reporting, and make sure your package stays within the guidelines—without getting in your way. It’s a support role, not a controlling one.

This model is working well for many older Australians—especially those who’ve tried traditional care and felt unseen or unheard. In Ballarat, where community still matters, self-management allows you to shape support that feels right, not rushed. It’s flexible. It’s empowering. And for many, it’s the first time they’ve felt fully included in their own care journey.

Freedom to Choose the Right Carers for Your Life

There’s something very personal about care. It’s not just a service—it’s a relationship. And when it doesn’t feel right, it’s hard to settle. That’s why self-managed Home Care Packages give you a powerful advantage: the freedom to choose the people and services that genuinely work for you. No matching algorithms. No rotating strangers. Just real people who listen, help, and show up when you need them.

We believe that the right support should never feel forced. So we’ve made it easy to hand-pick carers who fit your world—your routine, your culture, your preferences, and your pace.

Here’s what that looks like, one service at a time:

Home Care

Having help at home doesn’t mean giving up control. Our carers understand how to support your independence—whether it’s keeping things tidy, preparing a meal the way you like it, or simply being a kind presence in your day. You decide how often they visit, what they help with, and how things are done in your home. Respect is at the centre of everything we do.

Daily Living

Everyday tasks can become overwhelming when you don’t have the right support. Our daily living carers help ease that burden. That might mean supporting you to get dressed, assisting with your morning routine, or just making sure you feel confident and safe throughout the day. It’s never rushed. It’s always done your way.

Domestic Assistance

Clean spaces bring peace of mind. Whether it’s laundry, vacuuming, or organising your kitchen, our domestic assistance carers are here to take the stress out of housekeeping. They’re reliable, attentive, and happy to follow your preferred way of doing things—because a clean home should still feel like your home.

24 Hour Care

Some individuals need support around the clock—and we’re prepared for that. Our 24-hour carers are trained for full-day coverage without burnout or disruption. Whether care is needed in blocks or continuously, we’ll build a rotating roster that respects your rhythms while keeping things consistent.

Personal Care

There’s a level of trust required when someone helps you with personal tasks. Our carers never take that lightly. They approach personal care with dignity, privacy, and respect. From bathing to grooming, everything is done with your comfort and your boundaries in mind. We believe care should never feel clinical—it should feel human.

Overnight Care

Evenings can be the hardest when you live alone or experience medical concerns during the night. Our overnight carers provide peace of mind while you sleep, staying close enough to assist but respectful enough to maintain your space. Whether you need light support or full supervision, we’ll match you with someone you feel safe with.

Disability Care

We work with carers who have experience supporting people with disability—not just in meeting needs but in encouraging independence. Every person is different, so our approach is flexible. We support your goals, advocate for your autonomy, and help remove barriers that make daily life more complicated than it should be.

Disability Support

Beyond hands-on care, some people need help navigating systems, managing appointments, or connecting with the community. Our support workers are great listeners and even better advocates. Whether it’s building confidence or stepping into new routines, they’re there to stand beside you—not speak over you.

Complex Care

Some situations call for a little more skill and precision. We work with trained professionals who understand how to support individuals with high medical needs, chronic illness, or multiple conditions. With close attention to medication, equipment, and daily health management, our complex care team makes sure nothing gets missed.

High Care

High care needs can feel overwhelming for families—but it doesn’t have to fall entirely on you. Whether it’s mobility issues, feeding support, or frequent medical attention, we provide consistent carers who can step in with competence and care. It’s about more than just getting through the day—it’s about making sure your loved one feels safe, known, and treated with care.

Social and Community Participation

Care shouldn’t just be about what happens inside the home. Our support workers help people stay active in their communities—going to appointments, attending social events, or even just catching up with a friend. Loneliness isn’t always visible, but social connection is powerful medicine. We make it part of the plan.

Behaviour Support

For individuals with behavioural needs, the right carer can make all the difference. Our behavioural support staff are calm, consistent, and trained to manage complex emotional responses with patience and care. They work with families, not against them. And they focus on understanding, not just managing behaviour.

Dedicated Support for Every Health Condition and Need

Caring for someone with a medical condition isn’t just about doing the right tasks—it’s about knowing what those tasks feel like in someone’s everyday life. Whether you’re managing things yourself or organising care for someone close to you, the way support is given matters just as much as what’s done.

We don’t send one-size-fits-all workers into complex situations. If your condition has a name, it deserves a plan. We offer support for a wide range of health conditions—and more importantly, we connect you with people who know how to care without overstepping. People who come in quietly, do what needs to be done, and make sure things feel normal—not clinical.

You stay in control. You choose who walks in and out of your home. But when a condition brings new needs, we help make sure those needs are properly met—by carers who know the difference between turning up and showing up.

Arthritis Care

For people living with arthritis, small movements can be painful and slow. Some days are harder than others. Our carers don’t rush or push—they work around your pace, offering help that fits gently into your day. They understand the importance of warmth, joint care, and making things easier without making you feel dependent.

Autism Care

When it comes to autism, care needs to be built on familiarity and trust. We don’t send in carers who expect you to adjust to them. Instead, we find people who are patient, predictable, and understand how structure and communication preferences shape comfort. There’s no one way to support someone with autism—but respect and calm consistency are always at the centre.

Cancer Care

Cancer brings with it a lot of invisible weight. Fatigue, discomfort, uncertainty—it’s different for everyone. Our carers step in with the kind of support that doesn’t get in the way. Whether it’s help around the house during chemo or being there for moments when rest is all that’s needed, they work with care, not just around it.

Epilepsy Care

Epilepsy support isn’t about reacting when something happens—it’s about preventing unnecessary stress, recognising signs, and staying calm when it matters. Our carers are trained to handle seizures safely and respectfully, but they also know how to structure support so that people can live fully, without always feeling watched.

Heart Disease Care

Living with a heart condition often means balancing energy, movement, and routine. We don’t assume—our carers listen first, then support in a way that helps you stay active without pushing too far. They’re trained to monitor signs, understand medication plans, and bring a sense of steadiness to the day.

Huntington's Disease Care

This is one of those conditions that changes things gradually. We work with carers who understand how to support someone through every stage—without taking over too soon. They help with movement, speech, eating—but just as importantly, they show up with patience and respect. They understand that identity doesn’t disappear, even when symptoms increase.

Mental Health

Support here depends on the day, the moment, the person. Our carers are chosen for their ability to sit with someone, not fix them. For people living with depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns, it’s about having someone who gets the quiet moments, the harder hours, and the value of being heard—without judgment or pressure.

Motor Neurone Disease Care

As things become more difficult physically, the emotional weight grows too. Our carers don’t just come in to assist with transfers or meals—they’re trained to understand the slow, difficult nature of this illness. They step in carefully, work with existing routines, and focus on preserving dignity as the condition progresses.

Muscular Dystrophy

Support here is about consistency and comfort. Our carers help with daily routines, mobility, positioning, and personal care, but they also make sure the person feels seen—not just supported. They’re trained to protect energy, assist without hovering, and make life feel more stable, even when the body isn’t.

Out of Hospital Care

Coming home after a hospital stay can feel overwhelming. Instructions, routines, new medications—it’s a lot to take in. Our carers help ease that pressure. They support the transition without taking control, stepping in to help with rest, nutrition, hygiene, and medication management, one piece at a time.

Parkinson’s Disease Care

With Parkinson’s, every day can feel different. Some mornings start strong, others don’t. Our carers know this rhythm. They’re calm, attentive, and never rush movement. They assist where needed—dressing, preparing meals, walking support—and adapt their care as changes appear. Quiet patience is a big part of what they bring.

Palliative Care

This part of the journey needs the most tenderness. Our palliative carers know how to be there without being overbearing. They support both the individual and the family—providing comfort, presence, and small but steady help as needed. This isn’t medical care—it’s personal care, given in the most human way.

Dementia Care

Dementia changes how the world feels for someone, and how they interact with it. Our carers are trained to meet that person where they are—not correct them, not challenge their memory. Whether it’s reminders, safety checks, or just sitting nearby in silence, they bring calm where there might otherwise be confusion. The goal is always comfort, not correction.

Support Network’s Platform: Making Self-Management Simple

Managing a care package sounds like a lot—especially if you’ve never done it before. But when the process is clear and the tools are right in front of you, it becomes something you can handle. Not all at once. But step by step. That’s exactly how we’ve designed the Support Network platform.

We didn’t build this system for professionals—we built it for real families. For people juggling routines, appointments, and everyday worries. This platform won’t ask you to be a finance manager, a coordinator, or a tech expert. It will just guide you—quietly, clearly—so you can keep everything moving without confusion.

Post jobs and find the right carers

You don’t have to wait around for someone to assign a worker. If you need help, you post a job. You write what you’re looking for, how often, and what kind of person might suit you. Then you connect with carers who are actually interested in supporting you, not just filling a shift.

Manage invoices without the overwhelm

Invoices used to mean folders, emails, and back-and-forth calls. Here, it’s all in one place. You receive the invoice, check that the work was done, and approve it. One click, no delays. If anything feels off, you can flag it and speak to our support team straight away.

Approve timesheets with confidence

You’ll never be left guessing who worked when. Each carer submits their timesheet, and you’ll see exactly what hours were claimed. You can approve it then and there—or hold off if you have questions. You stay in control, and there’s no pressure to rush.

See your budget clearly, anytime

No more guessing what’s been spent or how much is left. You’ll be able to log in and see your budget in real time. What's been paid, what’s pending, and what you still have available—it’s all right in front of you. That kind of visibility brings calm.

Quiet support in the background

And behind it all? We’re here. Not hovering. Not interfering. But always close by, making sure the funds are managed properly, that you’re staying within NDIS rules, and that you’ve got someone to call when a small question feels like a big one.

Because self-managing should feel like you’ve got the wheel—not that you’ve been handed the whole engine.

Benefits of Self-Managing Your Home Care Package

When you take charge of your own care package, something shifts. You’re not just receiving services—you’re shaping them. You’re choosing who supports you, how they help, and when they step in. It doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself. It simply means you call the shots—and for many people, that changes the experience of care entirely.

There’s no pressure to become an expert overnight. You don’t need to know every policy or process. But you do gain the ability to guide things in a way that feels right for you or your loved one. And with Support Network quietly managing the back-end work, you’re never on your own.

Here’s what self-managing really gives you:

• Personal choice You’re free to decide who supports you, what kind of help you want, and how often you’d like it. You’re not handed a list—you build your team.
• More care, fewer fees Because you’re not paying for layers of admin or high overhead, more of your funding goes directly into care—giving you better value and more support hours.
• Culturally matched support You can choose carers who understand your language, faith, or background. That kind of connection makes care feel more personal and safe.
• Clarity and transparency Every dollar spent is recorded. Every hour worked is visible. You won’t have to guess where your money is going or what’s been approved.
• Support when you need it Even though you’re leading the way, you’re not alone. We step in when needed—quietly making sure your package stays on track and compliant.
• Confidence and control You don’t have to wait for someone to give you permission. You don’t have to chase answers. You manage care your way, with the tools to back you up.

For many, this isn’t just a better system—it’s a better feeling. More dignity. Less frustration. And care that feels like it’s been made for you, not for the provider.

Contact Us

Not everyone wants to be handed a care plan. Some people want to shape it themselves. If that sounds like you—or someone close to you—we’re here to help.

At Support Network, we don’t push. We listen. We’ll walk through what your needs look like now, and what they might look like later. Whether it’s organising basic care, arranging personal care services, or helping with more involved support like wound care or medication administration, our role is to support without taking over.

You can reach out to us to explore self-management, learn about our friendly team, or ask about our process. We’ll explain how we handle things quietly in the background—like care plans, administration costs, or working alongside your chosen care workers. It’s not complicated. It just takes a conversation.