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

A self-managed Home Care Package means the funding comes to you, and you take the lead in how it’s used. You’re not locked into one provider’s system. You choose who delivers the support, how often they come, and what tasks they help with.

It’s a different kind of arrangement. One that lets you stay involved. You can find carers you connect with. You can build a routine that works around your life, not the other way around. You also have more control over how the money is spent, so it often stretches further. That means more hours of support, more flexibility, and more room to make changes when needed.

But more than anything, self-management brings something people often miss in aged care—choice. It allows you to shape things in a way that feels right for your life. You’re not following someone else’s plan. You’re setting your own.

Our role is to keep things moving without disruption. We take care of the admin—things like checking invoices, tracking your package funds, and making sure everything stays within the rules. It’s support without interference. You stay in charge, but you’re not on your own.

Many people across Hervey Bay have shifted to self-managed care because it gives them that space to decide. It removes the layers between the person receiving care and the people providing it. It helps families feel more connected and confident.

This way of managing care isn’t about cutting corners. It’s about doing things with more purpose. More care. And more trust in the person who knows best—you.

Freedom to Choose the Right Carers for Your Life

When care starts to feel like a list of tasks instead of something built around you, it’s easy to feel overlooked. That’s why having the choice to bring in the right people matters. With a self-managed Home Care Package, you’re not placed with whoever’s available. You have the space to decide who supports you and how that support takes shape in your home.

Choosing your own carers allows you to work with people who understand your pace, your preferences, and the way you like things done. It also makes room for familiarity—someone who doesn’t just help, but pays attention. At Support Network, we focus on offering the kind of team that fits into your life gently, without changing what’s already working.

Here’s a look at the support services you can include in your package, and how our carers provide that help in a way that’s steady and respectful.

Home Care

Our carers assist with tasks in the home that support comfort, safety, and ease. Whether that’s helping with cooking, cleaning, or general home upkeep, the goal is to maintain your environment the way you like it. It’s never rushed. It’s done in a way that fits into your day naturally, with thoughtfulness and attention to detail.

Daily Living

We help with the small routines that keep the day moving—like getting dressed, preparing meals, taking medication, or managing daily appointments. It’s not just support. It’s a shared effort to keep your routine familiar. Our carers approach this role with calm, respect, and patience. They don’t rush you through your day—they help you carry it forward.

Domestic Assistance

Things like laundry, vacuuming, dishes, and tidying up may seem simple, but they make a big difference. Our carers don’t just do these tasks for you—they work with you, respecting how you like your home to be kept. It’s about creating a space that feels like yours, not just one that’s been ‘cleaned’.

24 Hour Care

Some people require full-day support, and that kind of care takes more than presence—it takes consistency. Our team rotates in a way that ensures continuity, so you’re not left introducing yourself again and again. Every shift is handled with care, with a quiet sense of responsibility and attentiveness to your comfort and safety.

Personal Care

This includes bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting—things that are often private and sensitive. Our carers understand the importance of doing this work with care, and with as much independence as possible left in your hands. Respect is at the centre of everything here. You’re never treated like a task—you're supported as a person.

Overnight Care

The hours after dark can be more difficult if you’re alone. Our overnight carers are there to help with anything that might come up—medication, toileting, mobility, or just being nearby in case you need assistance. It’s about helping you rest better, knowing someone capable is close by.

Disability Care

For those living with disability, care must be flexible and considerate. Our carers don’t apply a one-size-fits-all approach. They learn your routine and work with you to support your needs while encouraging independence. Their presence is steady, not invasive, allowing you to move through your day with comfort and control.

Disability Support

Beyond personal care, disability support can involve help with transport, community access, or staying on track with appointments and tasks. Our team provides support that’s both practical and empowering—without stepping in too far. The goal is to help you continue doing the things you enjoy and stay connected to what matters.

Complex Care

Health conditions that require advanced care need attention from skilled workers who know how to manage them with precision. But that doesn’t mean losing the human side. Our carers are experienced with feeding tubes, mobility equipment, and clinical routines—yet they always stay grounded in how you feel. They listen first, and adjust as needed.

High Care

When a person needs higher-level care, what matters most is not just the training of the carer, but the way that care is delivered. We bring in carers who understand pressure areas, transfers, and mobility needs—but more importantly, who understand how to maintain dignity through all of it. There’s no rush, no shortcuts—just steady, attentive support.

Social and Community Participation

Going out, joining an event, catching up with friends—these moments keep life full. Our carers support you in the community by offering transport and guidance without being overbearing. They’re there to help you stay involved, not to take over your day. Their role is to support your freedom, not limit it.

Behaviour Support

Some forms of care involve behavioural support, where consistency and calm are especially important. Our carers work with patience and training in this area, focusing on safety, stability, and respect. They don’t just follow plans—they learn what works for you and adapt over time, always maintaining a steady presence.

Dedicated Support for Every Health Condition and Need

No two people experience care in the same way. Behind every diagnosis, there’s a person with their own habits, hopes, and way of moving through the day. That’s why we don’t treat support as a system to follow—but as something to shape around the person.

Self-managed care allows families and individuals to choose workers who truly understand the condition at hand. Not someone sent in by chance, but someone chosen with care—someone who shows up prepared, calm, and willing to adjust.

We support a wide range of health conditions, and we do so with a quiet, steady approach. The following sections reflect just a few of the areas where our carers bring real, practical help to people at home.

Arthritis Care

Everyday tasks can become more difficult with arthritis—not just because of pain, but because of limited mobility. Our carers support with dressing, cooking, and small movements that help reduce strain. They work with care, giving you time to do things at your own pace without pushing or rushing.

Autism Care

Support for autism is not about fixed plans—it’s about recognising triggers, allowing space, and building trust over time. The carers we place here are steady and respectful. They understand routines, sensory needs, and the importance of calm, familiar support that doesn’t overwhelm.

Cancer Care

Whether someone is in treatment or recovery, cancer brings a great deal of exhaustion. Our carers focus on small, meaningful help—getting meals ready, keeping appointments on track, and offering company without talking too much. They understand when to step in and when to simply be there.

Epilepsy Care

Living with epilepsy requires someone who is both observant and composed. Our carers are trained to respond when needed, but also know how to prevent unnecessary worry. Their role is quiet but watchful, helping the individual live with less fear and more balance.

Heart Disease Care

Heart conditions don’t just affect the body—they change the way a person moves through each day. Our support workers help with routines that avoid strain, keeping the environment calm and safe. They manage tasks like cooking and light chores, giving space for rest and recovery.

Huntington's Disease Care

With a condition like Huntington’s, things change over time. Our carers are brought in with that understanding. They’re patient with shifts in speech and movement. They adapt to new ways of doing things, and they never treat any part of the person’s routine as inconvenient.

Mental Health

Support for mental health doesn’t always mean doing—it often means simply being there. We place carers who bring steadiness. No pressure. No judgment. Just someone in the room who helps keep structure, helps with small tasks, and offers a sense of normal when things feel heavy.

Motor Neurone Disease Care

With MND, the body changes but the person remains. Our carers support with feeding, movement, and speech assistance—but they also learn how to slow down, how to wait, how to help without taking over. The care is personal, flexible, and delivered with deep respect.

Muscular Dystrophy

This condition affects strength, but not will. Our support team understands that. They assist with mobility, personal care, and tasks that require lifting or balance. But more than that, they listen. They notice. They wait until help is needed rather than stepping in too soon.

Out of Hospital Care

The return home after surgery or a hospital stay can feel uncertain. We provide carers who make this time easier—supporting with wound care, mobility, and rest. Their presence helps ease the pressure on families and brings order back into the home during recovery.

Parkinson’s Disease Care

Shaking, stiffness, and slower movement can affect daily tasks. But with the right support, those tasks remain doable. Our carers help with dressing, mobility, and meal prep, but more than anything, they keep a rhythm that matches yours—not a schedule forced on you.

Palliative Care

Near the end of life, what’s needed most is calm, comfort, and familiarity. Our palliative carers are gentle and steady. They support with physical needs while respecting emotional ones. It’s quiet work—done with care, without fuss, and always with the person’s dignity in mind.

Dementia Care

Memory loss affects more than just memory. It changes how someone understands time, people, and place. Our carers are selected for their patience. They don’t correct or challenge. They follow the person’s lead, repeat when needed, and create safe spaces where things feel familiar—even if the details shift.

Support Network’s Platform: Making Self-Management Simple

Managing your own care doesn’t have to feel like a big task. With the right tools, you can stay on top of things without getting lost in paperwork or systems that don’t make sense. That’s why Support Network has built a platform that gives you what you need—nothing more, nothing less.

It’s set up in a way that makes daily tasks easier to handle, without taking the control away from you.

• Post jobs easily
  You can list what kind of help you’re looking for and see responses from carers who are ready to work. You choose who fits, and you make the decision.
• Approve timesheets in one place
  When a carer finishes their shift, their timesheet appears in your account. You can check it and approve it right away. No confusion. No chasing anyone.
• Upload invoices without stress
  If you get an invoice for services, just upload it. We make sure it’s processed and paid on time, so you don’t have to worry about follow-ups.
• See your budget clearly
  You’ll be able to check how much of your package has been used and what’s still available. Everything is easy to read and always up to date.
• Stay within the rules
  While you focus on your care, we take care of the background checks, the policies, and all the details needed to keep your package in line with government requirements.

This setup means you don’t have to do everything on your own—you just stay in charge. The platform gives you a better view of how your care is running and helps you keep things simple and in order.

Benefits of Self-Managing Your Home Care Package

Self-managing your care puts you in the middle of every decision, and that changes the way support feels. Instead of being told what you can have, you choose what works best. The carers who come into your home are people you’ve selected. The routines you follow are ones that fit your life. And the money that funds your care goes where you think it should—not where someone else decides.

It’s not just about doing things differently. It’s about getting care that feels more like your own.

Here are five real benefits people experience with self-management:

• Choice that stays with you
  You’re not limited by rosters or availability. You pick the carers, the hours, and the kind of help you want.
• Better use of your funding
  Less of your budget goes to overhead, so more of it can go toward actual support. That means more hours and better value.
• Plans that suit your life
  Your care plan can be shaped around your needs—not just what’s on offer. If something isn’t working, you can change it.
• Cultural comfort
  You can choose carers who speak your language, understand your background, or simply make you feel at ease.
• Reliable support in the background
  Even though you’re in control, Support Network is always there to keep things on track—from invoices to compliance.

This way of managing care gives people space to feel more in control without being left to figure it all out alone. And that small shift can make a big difference in how each day feels.

Contact Us

Looking for support that actually fits into your daily life? Whether you need help understanding package levels, exploring aged care services, or just want to talk through options with a real person, our care team is here for you. We offer a wide range of services, from basic care to comprehensive care, built around your needs—not the other way around.

Call today to speak with a care manager who’ll listen first and guide you with clarity. We’ll help you make informed decisions and match you with the right care package provider and Care Experts who understand what exceptional care looks like.