Self-Managed Aged Care
More say over who helps, when and how. Support Network helps older Australians and their families find and choose support workers — whether you still think of it as a Home Care Package or you're now on Support at Home.
Home Care Packages → Support at Home
Home Care Packages have been replaced by the Support at Home program. People still search for 'self-managed Home Care Packages', and that's fine — the idea is the same: more choice and control over the aged care services you receive at home. Support Network offers self-managed Support at Home arrangements.
This page explains how the old and new terms fit together, and how choosing your own support workers works in practice.
How It Connects
Step 1
The previous program many people still know.
Step 2
The current program for aged care at home.
Step 3
More involvement in organising your services.
Step 4
Deciding who comes into your home.
Step 5
Helps you find and choose suitable workers.
Support at Home Levels
Support at Home has 8 funding classifications for ongoing services — often called levels 1 to 8. Your classification is set at your aged care assessment through My Aged Care: the more care you need, the higher your classification and the larger your budget.
Budgets are provided quarterly. Unspent funds can be carried over to the next quarter, up to $1,000 or 10% of the quarterly budget, whichever is greater.
If your needs change, you can ask My Aged Care about being reassessed for a higher classification and budget.
Your classification is determined by your aged care assessment, not by choosing one. Your assessment outcome letter sets out your classification and quarterly budget.
Alongside the 8 ongoing classifications, Support at Home includes a Restorative Care Pathway (up to 16 weeks of allied-health-focused support), an End-of-Life Pathway, and separate funding for assistive technology and home modifications.
The old Home Care Packages program had 4 levels. Support at Home uses 8 classifications, which allows funding to sit closer to each person's assessed needs.
Funding Classifications
Government funding amounts for each classification, current as of 1 July 2026. Amounts are indexed on 1 July each year.
| Level | Quarterly budget | Annual amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,752.50 | $11,010.01 |
| 2 | $4,112.84 | $16,451.35 |
| 3 | $5,634.20 | $22,536.81 |
| 4 | $7,617.13 | $30,468.51 |
| 5 | $10,182.38 | $40,729.53 |
| 6 | $12,341.32 | $49,365.27 |
| 7 | $14,915.00 | $59,660.00 |
| 8 | $20,034.28 | $80,137.12 |
Your classification and budget are confirmed in your assessment outcome letter from My Aged Care. However your support is funded, Support Network can help you put it to work with workers you choose.
The Basics
Self-managed home care means the older person — or their family — takes a more active role in organising their aged care at home: choosing support workers, setting schedules and deciding how services fit their routine. A provider still manages the government funding and compliance behind it.
Many people can take on some self-management. How much depends on your provider's options and how involved you or your family want to be.
The Home Care Packages program was replaced by Support at Home from November 2025. Existing package recipients moved to Support at Home.
Support at Home is the Australian Government program that funds aged care services for older people living at home, following an assessment through My Aged Care.
Yes. Support Network offers self-managed Support at Home arrangements where you take on more of the organising and choose your own workers. We can walk you through what's involved.
Choice and control
Typically, your provider looks after funding, invoicing and compliance, while you or your family take a hands-on role in choosing workers and arranging when support happens.
We'll explain how choosing your own workers can work with your current arrangements.
Choosing Workers
The biggest reason people look into self-managed aged care is choice over who comes into their home. Support Network helps you review suitable workers and decide who fits.
Providers vary in how much self-management they allow and what they charge. Compare what's included and what you'll be responsible for.
Support Network delivers Support at Home services, with self-managed options that let you choose your own workers. We don't deliver the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).
Services
Depending on your assessment, funding and provider, support at home can include:
Showering, dressing and grooming.
Cleaning, laundry and keeping the home safe.
Preparing meals the way you like them.
Getting to appointments and outings.
Help with groceries and errands.
Staying connected with clubs, friends and activities.
Regular company and conversation.
Giving family carers a break.
Someone there at night. See overnight care.
Regular visits built around your routine.
Where appropriate and delivered by qualified nurses.
Working Together
We start with a conversation about routines, preferences and what a good day looks like. Then we help you find workers who suit — and families can be as involved as the older person wants.
We don't provide funding, eligibility, legal or financial advice. For those questions, speak with My Aged Care or your provider.
Common Questions
Support at Home has 8 funding classifications (levels 1 to 8) for ongoing services. Your level is determined by your aged care assessment through My Aged Care — the more care you need, the higher your classification and the larger your budget. Budgets are provided quarterly and amounts are indexed on 1 July each year.
Self-managed home care is an arrangement where the older person or their family takes a more active role in organising their aged care services — for example choosing workers and scheduling support — while a registered provider still manages the funding.
Home Care Packages have been replaced by the Support at Home program, which began in November 2025. People who had a Home Care Package moved across to Support at Home. Many people still search for and use the term 'Home Care Packages'.
Yes. Support Network offers self-managed Support at Home arrangements, where you or your family take on more of the organising and have a real say in who provides your support. Talk to us about what's involved and what responsibilities come with it.
In many cases, yes. Support Network lets older people and families review suitable workers and choose who comes into the home, subject to availability and your provider's arrangements.
Yes. Support Network delivers Support at Home services, including self-managed arrangements where you have more say over choosing your workers. We don't deliver the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) — if your support is funded through CHSP, My Aged Care can help you find providers that do.
Depending on your assessment and funding, services can include personal care, domestic assistance, meal preparation, transport, shopping, community access, companionship, respite, overnight support and nursing support where appropriate.
Yes. Access to government-funded aged care at home is through My Aged Care, which arranges an assessment. We can't assess eligibility or funding.
Yes. Many families help with organising support, especially when an older person prefers not to manage the details themselves.
Many people arrange private support while waiting. Talk to us about what's involved.
Whenever you’re ready
Share a few details and we'll call to talk through choosing your own support workers.
Share a few details and a member of our team will call you back to talk it through.
Google Rating
Based on 157 reviews
