Can I employ a support worker directly through Support at Home?
You can choose your own worker, but the registered provider must approve and engage them for Support at Home funding to be used. You do not normally receive the funding and become the worker’s direct employer yourself.
Key points
- Support at Home funding is administered through a registered provider, so direct-employment arrangements must fit the provider's approved model.
- 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.
Not in the same way as privately employing someone with your own money.
Support at Home uses a single registered-provider model. Government funding is paid to your registered provider, which coordinates services, submits claims and remains responsible for their safety and quality. The funding is not deposited into your personal bank account for you to use as an employer.
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01Guide sectionWhat can I do under self-management?
With your provider’s agreement, you can find and choose your own support worker.
This could include:
an independent contractor or sole trader
a worker found through an online platform
a worker from another service organisation
a local cleaner, gardener or support professional.
You nominate the worker, but the registered provider must assess and engage them as a third-party worker before Support at Home funding can be used.
02Guide sectionWhat does the provider need to check?
The provider may need to verify:
identity and worker screening
qualifications or registrations
experience and competence
insurance
the proposed service price
compliance with the Aged Care Code of Conduct
incident, complaint and record-keeping arrangements.
The provider can refuse the arrangement if it cannot safely oversee the worker or meet its legal responsibilities.
03Guide sectionWho pays the worker?
Usually, the worker invoices the registered provider.
The provider then:
checks that the service was delivered
submits the Support at Home claim
pays the worker or third-party business
charges you any applicable participant contribution
records the service on your monthly statement.
The exact invoicing process should be documented in your self-management agreement.
04Guide sectionCan the provider charge an overhead?
Yes.
Where you directly source a third-party worker, the provider may apply an overhead of up to 10% of the worker’s actual service cost.
For example, if your chosen worker charges $70 an hour:
worker cost: $70
maximum provider overhead: $7
final Support at Home price: up to $77 an hour.
The overhead should reflect the provider’s work in approving, paying and overseeing the worker and must be agreed in advance.
05Guide sectionCan I employ someone privately instead?
Yes, but that is separate from Support at Home.
You may employ or engage a worker using your own money. In that situation, you may become responsible for matters such as:
employment contracts
wages and superannuation
tax and payroll
workers compensation
insurance
leave and workplace obligations.
A privately employed worker cannot simply invoice your Support at Home budget unless your registered provider has approved and brought the service into the formal self-management arrangement.
06Guide sectionCan I employ a family member?
Paying a close family member through Support at Home is generally not the standard arrangement and would require careful consideration by the provider.
The provider would need to consider:
whether another suitable worker is available
possible conflicts of interest
whether the arrangement is genuinely necessary
worker screening and competence
employment and insurance requirements
whether the service can be independently verified.
Do not assume a relative can be paid merely because they are already providing unpaid care.
07Guide sectionWhat should I ask the provider?
Ask:
Do you allow participant-sourced independent workers?
Who formally engages the worker?
What screening and insurance are required?
Who pays the worker?
What overhead do you charge?
How are invoices approved?
Who arranges a replacement if the worker is unavailable?
What happens if there is an incident or complaint?
Can I stop self-managing later?
08Guide 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.
09Guide sectionHelpful Local Home Help resources
10Guide 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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