Can a family member help manage my Support at Home services?
A family member can help manage your services, paperwork and communication. Registering them as a supporter can make this easier, but they should support your choices rather than take control unless they hold valid legal authority to decide for you.
Key points
- Yes. With your permission, a trusted family member or representative can help with communication and service decisions.
- The registered provider remains accountable even when the participant organises more of the care.
- Self-management works best when responsibilities and backup arrangements are clear.
Yes.
With your permission, a family member can help you:
speak with My Aged Care and your provider
attend assessments and care-plan reviews
compare providers and prices
arrange appointments and services
monitor your budget and monthly statements
raise concerns or make complaints
communicate changes in your needs.
You remain the decision maker wherever you are able to make the decision yourself. The provider must support your choices and should not automatically deal only with your family member.
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01Guide sectionShould they become a registered supporter?
A trusted family member can register with My Aged Care as your registered supporter.
A registered supporter can help you make and communicate decisions, speak with providers and assessors, and access relevant information about your aged care. They support your decisions they do not automatically make decisions for you.
02Guide sectionWhat if they have legal authority?
A family member with an active guardianship, enduring power of attorney or similar appointment may be an appointed decision-maker.
They can only make decisions that fall within the authority granted by the legal document, and generally only when that authority is active.
For example, a person authorised only for financial decisions may be able to review invoices but may not have authority to make healthcare decisions.
03Guide sectionWhat should be documented?
Ask the provider to record:
which family member may be involved
what information can be shared
whether they can approve schedules or service changes
who should be contacted in an emergency
whether they are a registered supporter or appointed decision-maker
which decisions you want to make personally.
You can change or withdraw your permission at any time, unless the family member has separate active legal authority.
04Guide sectionWhat should I do next?
List the tasks you or your family can realistically manage.
Ask the provider how it checks third-party workers, processes invoices and covers absences.
Compare a self-managed and provider-managed sample budget before deciding.
05Guide sectionHelpful Local Home Help resources
06Guide sectionCheck the official guidance
Check the current Support at Home management guidance. Aged care rules, funding amounts and program guidance can change, so check the current official information before making an important care or financial decision.
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