Can I choose my own support workers with self-management?
You can choose your own workers under self-management, but your provider must approve and engage them and remains responsible for ensuring the services are safe, suitable and compliant.
Key points
- Often yes, provided the worker and arrangement meet the provider's safety, suitability and compliance requirements.
- 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, in some cases.
You may be able to choose:
an independent support worker
a worker from another organisation
a cleaner, gardener or other local service
an allied health professional.
However, your Support at Home provider must agree to the arrangement and formally engage the worker to deliver services on its behalf. The provider remains legally responsible for the safety and quality of the care.
The worker may need to meet requirements relating to:
worker screening
qualifications or professional registration
insurance
skills and experience
pricing
the Aged Care Code of Conduct
incident and complaint procedures.
A provider can refuse a proposed worker if it cannot meet its regulatory obligations or safely oversee the arrangement.
The provider may also add an overhead of up to 10% of the actual third-party service cost, which must be included in the final agreed service price.
Your care plan should clearly record:
which workers you have chosen
who manages scheduling
how invoices are approved and paid
who arranges replacements
which responsibilities remain with the provider.
Explore only what you need
Start with the sections that feel useful now. You can come back to the others later.
01Guide 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.
02Guide sectionHelpful Local Home Help resources
03Guide 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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