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

At its core, a Self-Managed Home Care Package lets you take control of your government-funded aged care services. Instead of an agency making all the calls — you choose. You pick the carers, schedule the visits, negotiate the rates, and decide what support fits your life best. It’s still fully compliant with government regulations — but now the decisions start with you.

And the impact? It’s felt in the smallest details. A familiar carer who speaks your language. Support that matches your schedule. Even something as simple as a morning visit rather than an afternoon one. These aren’t luxuries. They’re essentials when it comes to feeling safe, respected, and in control of your own care journey.

The emotional benefits run deep:

• More choice means you’re surrounded by people you trust.
• Greater independence brings confidence back into your day.
• True flexibility lets your care shift with your life.
• And better value means more hours, more support, and more comfort for the same funds.

We’re the steady hand behind the scenes. We handle the administrative load — from government compliance to budget oversight — so you can focus on living. You’ll always know where your package funds are going, how your care plan is tracking, and that you're not alone in making it work.

Because self-managing your care should feel empowering — not overwhelming.

Freedom to Choose the Right Carers for Your Life

There’s something deeply reassuring about having a say in who walks through your door. In self-managed care, that choice isn’t a privilege — it’s a right. You decide who supports you, how often, and in what way. And when you choose us as your trusted NDIS-approved provider in Cairns, you’re not just picking from a list. You’re shaping your care around the people who understand you.

With us, every carer is more than just qualified — they’re attuned. Attuned to your pace, your rhythm, your cultural values, and the little things that make a big difference. You’ll never be left with a stranger who’s ticking boxes. You’ll be working with someone who sees your life as something worth showing up for — fully, compassionately, and consistently.

Our carers are part of Cairns' local heartbeat. And here’s how they walk beside you — in the way that suits your life:

Home Care

Sometimes it’s the quiet things — folding laundry, preparing a simple meal, or just sitting and having a chat. Our home care team supports you with the rhythm of daily living, making sure your space feels clean, safe, and truly yours. It’s care that respects your home — and the life you live within it.

Daily Living

From brushing your hair to help with mobility or getting out for fresh air — we’re here to make every part of the day feel doable, and even enjoyable. You guide the routine, and we provide the steady hands and warm hearts that make each step easier.

Domestic Assistance

Our carers don’t just do the job — they show up with pride. Whether it’s vacuuming, washing dishes, changing bed linen, or keeping the kitchen tidy, our domestic assistance service is about more than chores. It’s about bringing dignity into the day-to-day. Your space, your standards — just the way you like it.

24 Hour Care

Sometimes care can’t wait for morning. When you or your loved one needs support around the clock, we’re there — not as strangers, but as a calm, constant presence. Our 24 hour care ensures peace of mind through every hour, every shift, every moment.

Personal Care

There is a gentle art to helping someone dress, shower, or manage continence care — and our team treats it with quiet dignity. You’ll never be rushed, talked over, or overlooked. Personal care means personal respect, every single time.

Overnight Care

Sleep should feel safe. Our overnight carers are there to provide subtle support, whether it’s assisting with bathroom visits, monitoring health concerns, or just being close by if needed. We step in gently — and stay alert through the night — so you can rest easier.

Disability Care

No two people living with disability have the same needs. That’s why our approach is never one-size-fits-all. Our carers listen, adapt, and honour what matters to you. Whether it’s building confidence at home or navigating public spaces, we’re beside you every step of the way.

Disability Support

We support your goals — not just your needs. Whether it’s about learning something new, gaining more independence, or getting out into the community, our disability support workers are here to empower, not impose. It’s about growth, not limits.

Complex Care

When health needs are more intensive, we don’t hesitate — we lean in. Our carers are trained to manage medication routines, chronic conditions, post-operative care, and more. But beyond the clinical, they offer calm and kindness in equal measure. You’ll never be just a chart or checklist.

High Care

For those with advanced care needs — whether physical, neurological, or progressive conditions — we provide a deeper level of attention with grace and precision. Our high care support is handled by experienced carers who understand how to balance skill with softness, urgency with understanding.

Social and Community Participation

Being part of something bigger matters. Whether it’s joining a local group, attending a community event, or just going out for coffee — our carers make it possible. They don’t just accompany you; they encourage you. Because everyone deserves to feel connected.

Behaviour Support

When behaviours are complex or challenging, our carers don’t turn away — they lean in with care, training, and patience. We work closely with individuals, families, and health professionals to build trust and provide consistent support. Respect and safety come first — always.

Dedicated Support for Every Health Condition and Need

Every diagnosis brings its own weight. But behind every condition is a real person — someone navigating daily life, trying to stay connected to what matters, and hoping they’re not reduced to just symptoms. We see you — and we shape care around the full picture of who you are, not just what you're managing.

Our approach is simple: the more we understand the condition, the better we can show up for the person living with it. And when you self-manage your Home Care Package, you’re not locked into a template. You decide who helps, how they help, and what feels right. We just walk beside you — quietly handling the background compliance, guiding where needed, and making sure you’re never unsupported.

Here in Cairns, we’ve seen the power of getting this right — and we’re proud to offer condition-specific care that’s grounded, informed, and deeply respectful.

Arthritis Care

When joints ache and mornings feel heavy, the smallest task can take its toll. Our carers know how to move slowly when needed, support movement safely, and offer real help without rushing. It’s not just about managing pain — it’s about preserving your independence, one day at a time.

Autism Care

Autism support isn’t about changing a person — it’s about understanding them. Our team works in tune with sensory needs, communication styles, and established routines. We’re there to create comfort, reduce anxiety, and make space for confidence to grow — not to force someone into a mould.

Cancer Care

Cancer changes the rhythm of daily life. Some days call for quiet support; others need a strong helping hand. Our carers walk gently alongside people in treatment, recovery, or palliative stages. We respect each person’s energy, fears, and preferences — because this part of the journey should never feel clinical or cold.

Epilepsy Care

Uncertainty is part of life with epilepsy. But preparedness makes all the difference. Our carers are trained to recognise signs, respond with calm, and remain composed if a seizure occurs. Just as importantly, they help make everyday life feel stable again — not reactive, not limited, but supported and safe.

Heart Disease Care

Living with heart disease often means pacing your energy and avoiding stress. Our carers provide day-to-day help with an eye on physical limits — supporting you through fatigue, managing routines, and offering careful assistance so you don’t have to do it all alone. Small acts of help can protect a heart more than we realise.

Huntington's Disease Care

Huntington’s is unpredictable, and deeply personal. It impacts mood, movement, and memory. Our carers are trained to meet these changes with patience and presence — stepping in as needed, adapting care thoughtfully, and never forgetting the person behind the diagnosis.

Mental Health

Mental health support isn’t about doing more — it’s about being there in the right way. We understand how anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions can alter the feel of a day. Our carers show up with calm, consistency, and without pressure — helping individuals stay grounded, even when everything else feels unsteady.

Motor Neurone Disease Care

This is a condition that calls for both skill and compassion. As physical function fades, dignity must not. Our carers support communication, mobility, and care tasks with steady hands and quiet respect. It’s not about how fast things change — it’s about how we respond with care that never falters.

Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular Dystrophy brings gradual change, but care can stay constant. Whether it’s safe transfers, adjusted routines, or breathing support, our carers help make every task manageable. They move at your pace and stand ready — so you're never facing these shifts without someone beside you.

Out of Hospital Care

Going home after a hospital stay can feel disorienting. That’s why our carers help with more than logistics. They help rebuild your sense of normal — assisting with dressing changes, medication prompts, and the gentle transition back into your own space. This care isn’t rushed. It’s steady and patient, just like healing itself.

Parkinson’s Disease Care

With Parkinson’s, some moments come easily, others take time. We’re trained to know the difference. Our carers offer calm support through tremors, stiffness, and mood shifts. But more than anything, we honour routine and comfort — helping people keep their independence, even as things evolve.

Palliative Care

When care shifts from curing to comforting, everything slows down. And it should. Our palliative carers are present without intrusion — providing personal care, easing discomfort, and supporting families through difficult hours. We focus on what matters most: peace, dignity, and being seen, even in silence.

Dementia Care

Dementia asks us to care differently — with more patience, more routine, more kindness in the face of confusion. Our carers don’t correct or argue. They anchor. They build trust through tone, familiarity, and safe environments. Every day is met with gentle hands and the belief that connection still matters, even when memory fades.

Support Network’s Platform: Making Self-Management Simple

Taking control of your Home Care Package should feel clear — not complicated. That’s why we created a simple, easy-to-use platform that keeps everything in one place. It’s not about making you do more. It’s about giving you the tools to stay in control, without stress.

We know not everyone is used to technology. So we made the platform straightforward. And if you ever feel unsure, our team is just a call away.

Here’s what it helps you with:

Post jobs

You can post a job for a carer whenever you need to — whether it’s help in the mornings, someone for weekend support, or a carer with special experience. You describe what’s needed, and carers can respond. You decide who feels right for the role.

Manage invoices

Every invoice from your carer or service goes through the platform. You can view them clearly and know exactly what’s been charged. No piles of paper, no back and forth. Just one place to check what’s being paid and why.

Approve timesheets

You’ll see what your carer worked, and when. You can approve hours with one click — or flag anything that doesn’t look right. You’re not left in the dark.

Watch your budget

You’ll always know how your package funds are tracking. Whether you want to plan ahead or just keep an eye on things, the platform gives a clear picture of what’s been spent and what’s left.

This isn’t about replacing people with software. It’s about giving you more clarity and confidence. You lead the way — and our platform simply keeps the path clear. With Support Network guiding the background details, your focus stays where it belongs: on living life the way you want to.

Benefits of Self-Managing Your Home Care Package

Self-management means real control — not just on paper, but in your everyday life. Here’s what it truly brings you:

• Personal choice You decide who provides your care. No rotating strangers. Just people you choose, and trust.
• Full budget control You know exactly what’s being spent. No hidden fees. No confusion.
• Lower provider fees, more hours of support Your funding goes further. You can use it where it’s needed most — on care, not overhead.
• Choose carers who understand you You can pick someone who shares your culture, your language, your background — someone who gets you.
• See everything clearly From job postings to payments, everything is open. You won’t be left guessing.
• Still backed by an approved provider Even though you’re leading the way, we are always there — making sure your care stays within NDIS rules and is safe, organised, and supported.

When you self-manage, it doesn’t mean doing it alone. It just means doing it your way — with the right help when you need it, and more space to be yourself in the process.

Contact Us

If you're thinking about managing your own care or helping a loved one do the same, we’re here to talk it through with you. No pressure. Just real help, from people who understand how this works.

At Support Network, we’ve worked with many families, carers, and older people across all package levels. Whether you're just starting out or already have a care package provider, we can guide you. We help match you with good, reliable care workers, support you through the assessment process, and walk you through how government funding can actually work in your favour — with fewer delays and more clarity.

Reach out when you're ready. We’ll be here.