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

A self-managed Home Care Package allows older Australians to remain in control of their care — from selecting their care workers to deciding how and when care is delivered. Instead of a provider taking over all decisions, self-management gives you — or your loved one — the freedom to direct the support that truly fits.

The structure is simple: you receive government-funded support, but you choose how that funding is used. You take on more decision-making, and in return, you gain better flexibility, more meaningful relationships with carers, and better value from your funding. Whether it’s organising personal care, transport, cleaning, or allied health services — every choice remains yours.

And what about the paperwork, the compliance, or the stress that can come with managing it all? That’s where Support Network steps in, quietly. We remain behind the scenes — ensuring provider regulations are followed, budgets are kept on track, and all invoices are processed accurately. You’re never on your own — you just don’t have to hand over your choices.

Many families in Bundaberg tell us this approach restored something vital: a sense of ownership. They no longer feel like a number in the system. Instead, they feel heard, respected, and empowered.

The lives we help change aren’t measured in big gestures. They’re in the small moments — a cleaner arriving right on time, a carer who speaks your language, a care plan that feels just right. Self-managed Home Care Packages offer more than support — they offer self-respect, control, and genuine comfort.

And with Support Network behind you, that freedom comes with a safety net. Strong where it needs to be. Invisible where it should be.

Freedom to Choose the Right Carers for Your Life

For many in Bundaberg, care doesn’t begin with a form or an appointment — it begins with trust. That quiet confidence in knowing the person walking through your front door is someone you’ve chosen. Someone who understands not only your needs, but your way of living.

Self-managing your Home Care Package gives you the opportunity to surround yourself with people who reflect your values, respect your choices, and offer care in a way that feels personal. At Support Network, we’re here to make that process possible — not by choosing for you, but by giving you the freedom to decide what’s best for your life, your home, your wellbeing.

Here’s how each of our dedicated services fits within your care journey:

Home Care

Home should always feel like home — not a place governed by strangers or schedules. Our home care workers support you where you feel most comfortable. From morning routines to quiet evenings, they’re there to offer practical support while respecting your space and routines. Each carer is carefully matched to ensure their presence brings ease, not interruption. Because sometimes, just knowing the right person is coming over makes all the difference.

Daily Living

Everyday tasks — such as dressing, preparing meals, or even remembering appointments — can quietly become overwhelming. Our carers step in gently, offering hands-on help that still respects your autonomy. Whether it’s laying out clothes, assisting with grooming, or just giving a little nudge to get through the day, we tailor support around your preferences. We believe help should never feel like taking over — just a kind shoulder that helps you carry a little less.

Domestic Assistance

A tidy space. Clean laundry. Fresh dishes. These aren’t luxuries — they’re basic needs that contribute to dignity and comfort. Our carers don’t just “tick the box” when it comes to household chores. They approach each task with care, precision, and respect for how you like things done. Because for many, a clean home is the foundation for a clear mind and calm routine — and we honour that.

24 Hour Care

Some lives require more than occasional check-ins. For families managing advanced needs or complex health conditions, our 24-hour carers offer reassurance day and night. They’re present, watchful, and ready — not just to act, but to listen. With round-the-clock care, you’re never alone in navigating sudden changes or ongoing challenges. Instead, you’re supported by people who genuinely care and stay consistent.

Personal Care

There is a delicate balance when it comes to personal care. It requires professionalism, yes — but also empathy, sensitivity, and trust. Our carers bring both skill and compassion to support with bathing, toileting, hygiene, and grooming, always maintaining the privacy and dignity of the person receiving care. Every gesture is thoughtful. Every moment is treated with care, because nothing about personal support should feel clinical or cold.

Overnight Care

Nights can bring with them a sense of vulnerability — especially for those living alone, recovering from illness, or navigating cognitive decline. Our overnight carers offer quiet reassurance. They’re nearby if needed, watching over with calm attentiveness while you sleep. Whether it’s assisting with toileting, managing medication, or simply being a calming presence, overnight care brings peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Disability Care

For individuals living with disability, the right care must go beyond routines — it must recognise personality, strengths, and individuality. Our disability support carers work with patience, insight, and flexibility to help you live life on your own terms. From personal support to communication strategies, their role is to uplift, not restrict — to help you access life, not just manage it.

Disability Support

Support for disability isn’t one-size-fits-all — and it shouldn’t be treated that way. Whether it’s support coordination, skill-building, or community engagement, our disability support workers walk beside you in building capacity, accessing services, and achieving personal goals. They’re not just service providers — they’re advocates, listeners, and empowering partners who believe in your potential.

Complex Care

Managing complex health conditions requires a different kind of attention — one that combines clinical awareness with everyday compassion. Our carers are specially trained to support individuals with multiple or advanced care needs, working closely with allied health professionals and families. From medication management to specialised care routines, they bring calm and expertise to complex situations, while always centring the individual’s comfort.

High Care

High care needs demand reliability, resilience, and unwavering professionalism. Our team brings experience and stability into high-pressure care settings, supporting those with limited mobility, advanced age, or serious health conditions. More than technical proficiency, our carers bring presence — being there in the hard moments, the quiet ones, and everything in between.

Social and Community Participation

Community isn’t just a place — it’s a sense of belonging. Through our support in social and community participation, we help individuals engage with activities, events, and programs that bring joy, connection, and meaning. Whether it’s attending a group, volunteering, or just enjoying a morning walk with someone by your side, we believe social wellbeing is just as vital as physical care — and we help you reclaim that space.

Behaviour Support

When behaviours challenge communication or connection, the right support makes all the difference. Our behaviour support practitioners and carers approach these needs with patience, skill, and understanding. They follow plans built around positive reinforcement and person-centred approaches, helping individuals and families build trust, safety, and consistency in daily life.

Dedicated Support for Every Health Condition and Need

No two people live with health challenges the same way. Some go through it quietly, trying to hold on to routines. Others face it with families beside them, adapting day by day. Either way, one thing becomes clear — support must be more than just technical. It has to feel human. Steady. Real.

We don’t just offer care by category. We help you bring the right person into your life — someone who understands the nature of your condition and the impact it has on you. Our self-managed clients in Bundaberg often tell us that when they chose the right carer, everything changed. Not overnight, not with fanfare. But quietly, in the way life became just a little easier.

Here’s how we support a wide range of health conditions, one individual at a time.

Arthritis Care

When everyday movements become stiff or painful, even simple tasks start to feel like uphill climbs. Our carers ease the pressure — helping with tasks like dressing, opening jars, folding laundry, or walking down the hallway safely. But they also learn your pace. They don’t rush you. They don’t take over. They work with you, gently, patiently, always with respect.

Autism Care

Autism support is never about one method or model — it’s about listening. Whether we’re helping a young adult with routines, or supporting a mature client in social settings, our carers follow your lead. They build trust slowly, respect sensory preferences, and hold space when communication is hard. Support doesn’t have to be loud. It just needs to be consistent and thoughtful.

Cancer Care

There are good days and hard ones. Our carers know this rhythm and walk quietly beside it. They’re there to help with food, personal care, medications — or just sitting nearby when energy is low. You don’t need to explain much. They show up with warmth, care, and a willingness to meet you exactly where you are, emotionally and physically.

Epilepsy Care

Our carers understand epilepsy is more than seizures. It’s the need for stability, rest, and a home setup that feels safe. They keep routines smooth, watch for triggers, and help make everyday life feel predictable. If a seizure happens, they respond calmly and with confidence. Their presence can offer reassurance, especially for families trying to breathe a little easier.

Heart Disease Care

When someone lives with heart disease, everything from meals to movement needs a bit more planning. Our carers are mindful of this — offering support in ways that reduce stress on the body. That might mean taking over physical tasks, helping with appointments, or just being nearby to offer support without pushing limits. It’s quiet help that makes a big difference.

Huntington's Disease Care

This condition brings changes that are physical, emotional, and cognitive — sometimes all at once. Our carers support people as those changes come, helping them stay as independent as possible while also being present for the harder days. They’re steady, trained, and grounded. But most importantly, they never forget the person at the centre of it all.

Mental Health

Mental health support can’t be forced — it needs to be offered with care. Our carers aren’t here to “fix” anyone. They’re there to show up, hold space, and gently support routines that help bring calm. It might be help getting out of bed, going for a walk, preparing meals, or simply keeping a steady presence through long days.

Motor Neurone Disease Care

Living with MND means needing more hands-on support over time. Our carers assist with transfers, mobility, personal care, and communication tools. But they do it all in a way that never feels clinical. It’s thoughtful, adapted to each stage, and deeply respectful of the person’s comfort and choices — especially as needs shift and grow.

Muscular Dystrophy

This condition affects muscle strength and mobility, but not identity. Our carers help with positioning, support equipment, and everyday routines — all while preserving dignity. They build relationships that allow for trust, because sometimes asking for help isn’t easy. They’re not just assistants. They become reliable parts of your daily life.

Out of Hospital Care

Going home from the hospital can feel both relieving and daunting. Our carers help you settle back in. Whether it’s monitoring wounds, preparing meals, supporting mobility, or managing medication, they focus on making your home feel safe again. We work quietly in the background while you regain your strength — no pressure, no rush.

Parkinson’s Disease Care

Each person with Parkinson’s experiences it differently. Our carers work gently through mobility challenges, freezing episodes, or fatigue. They keep things flowing — helping with balance, medication, and daily care. But they also offer calm reassurance. It’s not about pushing you — it’s about walking with you, at your rhythm.

Palliative Care

When care becomes comfort-focused, the tone changes. Our carers know how to bring presence without pressure. They help with pain relief, personal care, and family support — not with urgency, but with calm and compassion. They honour silence. They honour choice. And they help make this time feel a little less heavy.

Dementia Care

Dementia can make familiar faces seem far away. That’s why consistency is so important. Our carers stick to routines, use calming approaches, and create safe environments where people feel secure. They don’t argue with confusion — they work with it gently. Their goal is to bring ease where they can, without removing the person’s sense of self.

Support Network's Platform: Making Self-Management Simple

Self-managing your Home Care Package doesn’t mean you have to do everything on your own. In fact, when the right tools are in place, it becomes easier than most people expect. At Support Network, we’ve designed our platform with simplicity and control in mind — so you can manage your care without feeling overwhelmed by admin or confused by systems.

The first thing you’ll notice is how easy it is to post jobs. Whether you’re looking for personal care, transport assistance, or help around the home, you can create a job post and connect with support workers who fit your needs. It’s clear, direct, and in your hands — no waiting on third-party approvals.

Once care begins, all your key tasks are just a few clicks away. You can approve timesheets at your pace, knowing exactly when someone worked and what they did. You can review and manage invoices without chasing paper trails or worrying about missing details. And your budget? It’s right there. Fully visible. Updated in real time. You’ll always know where your funds are going — and how much is left to use.

There’s no guesswork, no hidden steps. Everything sits in one place, laid out in a way that makes sense, even if you’ve never managed funding before. You don’t need to be tech-savvy to use it — just open to taking the lead in your care.

And behind it all, our team is there when you need us. Quietly, reliably, in the background — keeping things compliant, helping when something feels unclear, and stepping in only when asked.

This platform was built to give you not just function, but freedom. Because managing care shouldn’t feel like a burden. It should feel like confidence. Like clarity. Like finally having the space to focus on what matters most — living well.

Benefits of Self-Managing Your Home Care Package

Self-managing isn’t about doing more. It’s about having more say — and making care personal again. These aren’t just features. They’re real changes that families feel every single day.

• Make choices that reflect who you are. Choose carers who understand your background, your pace, your values.
• Know exactly where every dollar goes. Track spending in real time — no second-guessing, no surprises.
• Spend less on admin, more on care. Lower fees mean more hours of support. It adds up, fast.
• Choose carers that truly match your needs. Language, culture, communication — you decide what fits best.
• See everything. Control everything. Your dashboard shows what’s happening. No need to chase anyone.
• You’re never doing it alone. With Support Network in the background, you have quiet guidance and NDIS compliance sorted.
• Your voice leads. Always. You're not just included in decisions — you make them.
• Adjust care as life changes. If you need more help, or less, you can shift your support easily.
• Keep familiar faces in your life. Build long-term relationships with carers you know and trust.
• It’s not just a package. It’s your life. And self-managing lets you shape it your way — with confidence.

Contact Us

If you're thinking about care for yourself or someone close to you, we’re here to talk it through — no pressure, no rush. Whether you need a bit of help with daily tasks or you're navigating a more complex care situation, our care team is ready to listen.

We understand how confusing care models and package levels can feel. That’s why we explain things simply, based on where you’re at. We’ll guide you through the assessment process, help you understand your options, and support you in choosing a care provider who feels like the right fit — not just on paper, but in practice.

Let’s take this one step at a time, together.