How to choose a home care provider in Australia

Most people come to home care for the first time in a hurry, after a fall, a hospital stay, or a quiet word from a GP. This is a calm walkthrough of how the system works and what actually separates one provider from another.

Start with an assessment, not a provider

Government-subsidised home care runs through a Home Care Package. You do not pick the package level yourself; My Aged Care arranges an assessment, and the assessor recommends one of four levels, from basic support (level 1) to high needs (level 4). Each level sets the annual subsidy the government contributes. You can register for an assessment at My Aged Care or by phone.

What to ask every provider

Once you have a package level, the useful questions are practical, not glossy:

• How much do you charge for care management and package management, as a percentage or a dollar figure?
• Do you roster the same workers, or does it change week to week?
• What is your availability in my suburb, and how soon could you start?
• Can I see a full price list for services and any exit fees in writing?

Fees are where packages quietly shrink

A provider's management fees come out of the same package budget that pays for your care, so high overheads mean fewer hours of actual help. Ask for the fees in writing and compare them like-for-like. A provider that cannot give you a clear price list is telling you something.

Your money follows you

If a provider is not working out, your package is portable, you can move it to another provider. Knowing that upfront takes the pressure off the first choice.

Every provider listed on Our Mate is cross-checked against the official aged care register; the verification date is shown on each listing.