Self-managing your Support at Home services
What it means to self-manage, what you can choose, and what your provider still does.
What does self-managing mean?
You can choose to lead and make key decisions about parts of your care. My Aged Care gives these examples:
- the mix of services you get (from the ones you were approved for)
- how your budget is managed
- when and where you get your services.
You don’t have to self-manage everything. How much you do depends on your needs, what you prefer and what you are able to do.
Source: My Aged Care; Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (checked 29 Oct 2026)
What you might do yourself
Self-management looks different for each person. It can include:
- choosing or arranging your own services, to suit your needs and budget
- booking times for your services
- choosing your own workers
- managing your budget
- paying invoices for services, then being paid back by your provider
- finding equipment or home changes.
You can only spend your budget on services that are in your plan and on the official Support at Home service list.
Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing; Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (checked 29 Oct 2026)
What your provider still does
You must still have a provider, however much you self-manage. They must still give you care management, and your care partner still oversees your care.
Your provider must have at least one direct care management contact with you every month.
If you get ongoing services, 10% of your budget still goes to care management each quarter. More about care management.
Source: My Aged Care; Department of Health, Disability and Ageing; Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (checked 29 Oct 2026)
Get it written down
You and your provider must agree on what you will self-manage. Your care partner writes it into your care plan.
For example, the plan might say you chose your own workers, but the provider still books their times.
Source: My Aged Care; Department of Health, Disability and Ageing; Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (checked 29 Oct 2026)
Choosing your own worker
Some people want a worker they choose, such as a gardener from another business. This is called a third-party worker.
- Your provider has to agree.
- Your provider engages the worker and is responsible for them.
- The worker must meet the rules for aged care workers, such as worker registration. So your provider may not be able to agree to some workers.
Source: My Aged Care; Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (checked 29 Oct 2026)
What it costs
- When you use your own worker, the price charged to your budget has two parts: the cost of the worker’s service, and an extra charge from your provider called an overhead.
- If you self-manage, the overhead is capped at 10% of the cost of that service. You can ask for a lower overhead. If you don’t self-manage, it may be more than 10%.
- Agree the total price with your provider. Also agree who gets the invoice and who pays it.
- You may pay a contribution for everyday living and independence services, just as you would with your provider’s own workers. You pay no contribution for clinical care. See what it costs.
Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing; Department of Health, Disability and Ageing; My Aged Care (checked 28 Oct 2026 and 29 Oct 2026)
How to start
Think about what you want to manage
For example, booking your own times, or using a worker you already know.
Talk to your provider
Ask how self-management works with them, and what they would charge.
Source: My Aged Care (checked 29 Oct 2026)
Agree it and check your care plan
Make sure the plan says what you will do and what your provider will do.
Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing; Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (checked 29 Oct 2026)
Get free help if you need it
OPAN advocates are free and independent. Call 1800 700 600.
Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing; Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) (checked 28 Oct 2026 and 29 Oct 2026)
Common questions
Can I self-manage my Support at Home services?
Yes, you can choose to lead parts of your care. How much you self-manage depends on your needs, preferences and abilities. You and your provider must agree on it, and it is written into your care plan.
Source: My Aged Care; Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (checked 29 Oct 2026)
Do I still have a provider if I self-manage?
Yes. You must still have a provider, and they must still give you care management. If you get ongoing services, 10% of your budget still goes to care management each quarter.
Source: My Aged Care; Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (checked 29 Oct 2026)
Can I choose my own worker, like my own gardener?
Sometimes. Your provider has to agree. The worker must meet the rules for aged care workers, such as worker registration, so your provider may not be able to agree to some workers.
Source: My Aged Care; Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (checked 29 Oct 2026)
What can my provider charge if I use my own worker?
If you self-manage, the provider’s extra charge (called an overhead) is capped at 10% of the cost of that worker’s service. You can ask for a lower overhead.
Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing; Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (checked 29 Oct 2026)
Can I spend my budget on anything I like?
No. You can only spend it on services that are in your plan and on the official Support at Home service list.
Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (checked 29 Oct 2026)
Need help with your own situation?
My Aged Care (Australian Government)
Mon to Fri 8am to 8pm. Sat 10am to 2pm.
OPAN free, independent advocates
Mon to Fri 8am to 8pm. Sat 10am to 4pm.
In an emergency, call 000. Worried about abuse? See urgent help.
Where this information comes from
- My Aged Care: Managing your Support at Home services
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/managing-your-support-at-home-services
Last checked 29 Oct 2026. - Department of Health, Disability and Ageing: Self-management by Support at Home participants
https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/support-at-home/delivering-services-for-support-at-home/self-management-by-support-at-home-participants
Last checked 29 Oct 2026. - Department of Health, Disability and Ageing: Support at Home program – self-management (fact sheet)
https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-11/support-at-home-program-self-management.pdf
Last checked 29 Oct 2026. - My Aged Care: Support at Home costs and contributions
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/support-at-home-costs-and-contributions
Last checked 28 Oct 2026. - Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN): Contact us
https://opan.org.au/contact-us/
Last checked 28 Oct 2026.