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

A Self-Managed Home Care Package is exactly what it sounds like — your care, managed your way. The government still provides the funding. The difference? You choose how it's used. You decide who supports you, what they do, when they do it, and how it fits into your everyday routine.

Instead of having a provider take charge of everything — from rostering to hiring and service decisions — self-management hands that control back to you or a trusted family member. And in doing so, it restores something that often gets lost in traditional care models: your say in your own life.

The emotional benefits are hard to overstate. Self-managing means:

• You’re not locked into a rigid care roster.
• You can select care workers who share your language, background, or values.
• You get more value from your package, because less is spent on provider fees and more on actual care hours.

Behind the scenes, we are quietly keeping your package safe and compliant. We manage the financial side — paying invoices, keeping you on track with government guidelines, and giving you full visibility into your budget. We don’t interfere, but we don’t leave you on your own either. Think of us as the structure behind your freedom — the safety net that lets you walk your own care path with confidence.

In a world where aged care can feel distant and impersonal, this approach brings people closer to their lives again. It changes how families work together. It lifts the weight of bureaucracy off your shoulders. And most of all — it reminds you that your care can still reflect your story, not just your circumstances.

Freedom to Choose the Right Carers for Your Life

There comes a time when care becomes more than just help — it becomes personal. It’s no longer about ticking boxes or following rigid rosters. It’s about being seen. Heard. Understood. That’s what happens when you manage your own home care. You’re no longer just receiving care — you’re shaping it.

Self-managed Home Care Packages give you that freedom. You decide what kind of support fits your life — not just your needs on paper. You choose the carers who walk into your home. People who respect your routine, understand your pace, and bring calm, not stress.

With Support Network by your side, you can do just that. You stay in charge of the care — we take care of the compliance. You get to focus on living, while we quietly handle the background work like invoicing and budget tracking.

And when it comes to choosing your carers, there’s no pressure to pick someone who doesn’t feel right. You find people who match your values, your language, your personality. And if something changes, you can change your carers too — without the delay or red tape that often comes with traditional services.

Here’s how our carers can support you across different areas of life — always with kindness, skill, and consistency.

Home Care

Home isn’t just a place — it holds memories, routines, and comfort. Our carers help you hold onto that. Whether it's watering the plants, cooking a meal, or simply being a steady presence, they come in quietly, get things done, and leave you with your space and peace.

Daily Living

Things like dressing, eating, getting ready for the day — they matter. And it’s not just about doing tasks. It’s about helping you keep your rhythm. Our carers help where needed, and step back where you’re confident. It’s your day, your way.

Domestic Assistance

Laundry, dishes, errands, or a bit of tidying up — these things build up. Our carers help you stay on top of it all without taking over. They don’t just clean a home; they make it easier for you to move through your day with less effort and more ease.

24-Hour Care

Some days — and nights — need more support. If your care is complex or your health needs round-the-clock attention, we help you set up a team that’s steady, familiar, and calm. Not just professionals, but people you feel safe with, even in the quietest hours.

Personal Care

This part of care is sensitive — it’s about bathing, dressing, grooming, or using the toilet. It takes a carer who understands how to step in without making you feel small. Ours are trained for that. They take their time, keep your comfort first, and always ask before acting.

Overnight Care

Nights can be the hardest. Pain, confusion, restlessness — they don’t follow a schedule. Our overnight carers are there to watch over, respond gently, and help you rest better knowing someone’s close if you need them.

Disability Care

Every person is different. So is every disability. Whether you live with a lifelong condition or have new needs after an injury or illness, we help you build a care setup that actually fits. Our carers adapt to you — not the other way around.

Disability Support

Support doesn’t always mean physical care. It can mean having someone who helps you access the community, attend appointments, or just talk things through. It’s about getting more out of life, and our carers support that with patience and purpose.

Complex Care

If you need medical care at home — things like medication, wound dressing, or help with equipment — it needs to be handled right. Our carers follow instructions from your health team and bring calm, clear attention to every step.

High Care

Sometimes, your care needs grow over time. When that happens, we don’t pull away — we step up. Our carers provide high-level care with focus and kindness, while still respecting your home and your choices. Even when things are complicated, you’re still in control.

Social and Community Participation

Care isn’t just about staying in. It’s about getting out, meeting people, and staying part of the world. Whether it’s going to a group activity, the local market, a class, or a walk in the park, our carers are there to support you in staying active and connected.

Behaviour Support

Sometimes care involves supporting people through emotional or behavioural challenges. That’s okay. Our carers are patient, trained, and calm — they focus on understanding, not reacting. Whether it’s autism, dementia, or mental health needs, we meet you where you are.

Dedicated Support for Every Health Condition and Need

Care isn’t just about showing up. It’s about knowing what you’re facing — the pain, the symptoms, the daily hurdles, and the quiet things that often go unseen. We understand that every health condition is different. That’s why we match you with carers who truly understand your situation — and support you in a way that feels right, not rushed.

You’re not a diagnosis. You’re a person. And your care should reflect that — with attention, respect, and care that’s built around your life.

Here’s how we support people across a wide range of health conditions, always with compassion, consistency, and dignity.

Arthritis Care

Living with arthritis means living with pain that comes and goes — sometimes mild, sometimes sharp, but always there in the background. Our carers understand how joint pain affects the small things: getting out of bed, opening a jar, walking to the letterbox. They support you without rushing or pushing, giving you the time and help you need to move comfortably and safely through your day.

Autism Care

Autism is not a one-size-fits-all condition. It’s a spectrum, and each person has their own way of thinking, communicating, and connecting with the world. Our support workers bring patience, calm, and respect to every interaction. Whether you need help building routines, navigating public spaces, or just feeling safe in your own environment, we focus on what works for you — not what’s expected.

Cancer Care

When someone is living with cancer, care means more than physical support — it means presence. From managing fatigue to helping with meals, medication reminders, or simply being there during the hard days, our carers walk beside you quietly. They know how to adjust their pace to yours. They know when to talk, and when to sit in silence.

Epilepsy Care

Epilepsy can be unpredictable — and that uncertainty can be frightening, especially for families. Our carers are trained in seizure response and know how to create a calm, low-stress environment that reduces risk. More than that, they help you live with confidence again — knowing someone is nearby who understands what to do if something happens.

Heart Disease Care

With heart disease, daily tasks often become draining. Walking up steps, carrying groceries, even showering can feel like a mountain. Our support is steady, never forceful. We help you manage your energy, stay on track with medications, and avoid the things that make symptoms worse — so you can stay stable and safe at home.

Huntington's Disease Care

Huntington’s can affect both movement and mood — and it often progresses in unpredictable ways. Our carers understand the importance of patience, routine, and gentle assistance. They support not only the physical changes, but the emotional ones too. It’s about building a care rhythm that brings calm, even when things shift quickly.

Mental Health Support

Anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD — these aren’t just words on a care plan. They shape the way someone sees the world. Our mental health carers know that support doesn’t always mean doing something. Sometimes it means listening. Other times, it means creating a quiet space where someone can feel safe without explanation. We don’t force outcomes — we meet you where you are.

Motor Neurone Disease Care

Motor neurone disease is deeply personal — it changes the way you move, speak, and eventually breathe. We don’t pretend it’s easy. But we walk that road beside you, with carers who know how to assist without taking away your voice or agency. From meal preparation to mobility, communication aids, and emotional support, we adapt as the condition changes.

Muscular Dystrophy Care

Whether it’s supporting someone in childhood or adulthood, muscular dystrophy care calls for long-term consistency. Our carers build strong, trusting relationships. They help with transfers, physical tasks, and home safety — always in ways that support your independence. We focus on making each day manageable, not clinical.

Out of Hospital Care

Coming home from hospital can bring relief — and anxiety. What if something goes wrong? What if help is needed urgently? Our carers help ease that transition. Whether it’s after surgery, illness, or treatment, we create a clear plan for recovery, assist with wound care, meals, hygiene, and make sure your space supports healing, not stress.

Parkinson’s Disease Care

Parkinson’s affects more than just movement — it can change mood, memory, and sleep. Our carers understand how symptoms vary throughout the day, and how small routines can bring comfort. They assist with mobility, medication schedules, tremor management, and help prevent falls — all while encouraging as much independence as possible.

Palliative Care

Palliative care is about presence. It’s about honouring a person’s comfort, dignity, and wishes as life draws closer to its final chapters. Our carers are gentle and steady. They don’t rush or speak in hushed tones. They simply sit with you, support you, and offer kindness in moments that often feel too big to carry alone.

Dementia Care

Dementia can be confusing, not only for the person experiencing it but also for loved ones watching them change. Our dementia carers are trained to reduce anxiety, keep routines familiar, and create calm environments. Whether it's helping with meals, dressing, or just offering a friendly face, they build trust slowly — through repetition, patience, and quiet reassurance.

Support Network’s Platform: Making Self-Management Simple

Self-managing your Home Care Package doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need spreadsheets, stacks of paperwork, or to be “tech-savvy.” What you need is a platform that gives you control without stress — something built to make things easier, not harder.

We’ve created a simple, step-by-step system that helps you stay organised, see where your money’s going, and manage your care at your own pace. You don’t need to learn a new language or deal with long processes. Everything is laid out clearly — so you stay in charge, and we stay in the background, quietly supporting the structure.

Post Jobs in Your Own Words

If you’re looking for a carer or support worker, the platform helps you create and post jobs easily. You don’t need to fit your needs into boxes. Just say what kind of help you’re after, when you need it, and anything that’s important to you — whether that’s language, background, gender, or lived experience. The carers who match your request will contact you directly. You choose who suits you best.

Approve Timesheets Without the Guesswork

After a carer finishes their shift, their hours come to you for approval. It shows exactly what they did and when. You check it, and if everything looks right, you approve with one click. If something doesn’t feel right, you can flag it or ask a question before anything goes through. You stay in control. Always.

Check Invoices and Let Us Handle Payments

Invoices from carers or service providers go straight into your account. You can view them alongside the work done, so you always know what you’re paying for. Once you approve, we take care of the payment from your package funds. No phone calls, no delays, no piles of bills sitting around waiting.

Watch Your Budget in Real Time

You should always know what’s happening with your care funds. That’s the whole point of doing this yourself. With the platform, you can just log in and see how much has been used, what’s coming up, and what’s left. It’s all right there. No fuss, no digging around, and no waiting for someone else to tell you. You don’t have to keep notes or chase things — you can just check, and get on with your day.

Contact Us

Not everyone wants the same kind of care. Some just need a bit of help around the house. Others are looking for more hands-on nursing services or support with medical tasks. Whatever your situation, we’re here to walk you through it. Whether it’s figuring out the right care option, understanding your package level, or just needing someone to explain how it all works — reach out. No forms, no jargon. Just a friendly team that listens and helps.