How can I tell if a provider's price is reasonable?

How can I tell if a Support at Home provider’s price is reasonable?

Start by comparing the provider’s price with:

• prices charged by other local providers

• the government’s published national pricing information

• what is included in the service

• the qualifications and experience of the worker

• the location, timing and complexity of the service.

  • Use this calculator comparison tool

Support at Home providers can currently set their own prices. However, those prices must be reasonable, transparent and based on the cost of delivering the service. Providers must also publish pricing information and agree the price with you before providing the service.

Compare the price with the government benchmarks

The Australian Government publishes a National Summary of Support at Home Prices showing the median and range of prices charged across Australia.

The first national summary was published in May 2026 using services claimed between November and December 2025. The government has indicated that updated national pricing information will be published quarterly.

Some national weekday median prices in that release included:

• personal care: about $115 an hour

• domestic cleaning: about $110 an hour

• individual social support: about $111 an hour

• flexible respite: about $115 an hour

• registered nursing: about $180 an hour

• physiotherapy: about $194 an hour

• occupational therapy: about $222 an hour

• podiatry: about $165 an hour

• gardening: about $118 an hour.

These figures are useful comparison points, but they are not price caps or mandatory rates.

A provider charging above the median is not automatically overcharging. A price below the median is not automatically good value.

Compare several providers

Use the My Aged Care provider comparison tool and ask at least two or three providers for their price schedules.

My Aged Care allows consumers to compare Support at Home provider prices.

Make sure you are comparing the same service.

For example, one personal-care price may include:

• travel

• worker supervision

• care documentation

• weekend penalties

• a qualified or experienced worker.

Another apparently cheaper price may apply only during weekday business hours or require a longer minimum visit.

Ask what the price includes

Support at Home prices should generally be all-inclusive.

Ask whether the quoted price includes:

• worker wages and employment costs

• travel time

• vehicle expenses

• administration

• clinical supervision

• care notes and reporting

• subcontractor charges

• equipment used during the service

• weekend or public-holiday penalties.

The provider should keep records explaining what its prices include.

Be cautious if a provider advertises a low hourly price but adds several separate charges later.

Check the minimum visit time

A low hourly rate may still be expensive if the provider requires long minimum visits.

For example:

• Provider A charges $105 an hour with a two-hour minimum.

• Provider B charges $120 an hour with a one-hour minimum.

For a person needing only one hour, Provider A would cost $210 while Provider B would cost $120.

Ask:

• What is the minimum visit?

• Are services charged in 15-minute, 30-minute or one-hour units?

• Is travel billed separately?

• Is there a minimum charge even when the visit is shorter?

• What happens when a worker arrives late or leaves early?

Look at how many hours your budget will purchase

The practical impact of a price is how much support it allows you to receive.

For example, if you have $3,000 available for direct services during a quarter:

• at $100 an hour, the budget buys 30 hours

• at $120 an hour, it buys 25 hours

• at $150 an hour, it buys 20 hours.

A difference that appears small on an hourly basis can materially reduce the number of visits available over a year.

Consider why the price may be higher

A higher price may be reasonable where the service involves:

• a rural or remote location

• substantial worker travel

• complex dementia or behavioural support

• specialist clinical qualifications

• difficult manual handling

• language or cultural requirements

• evening, weekend or public-holiday work

• short or irregular visits

• greater clinical supervision

• a highly experienced regular worker.

Ask the provider to explain the specific reason rather than accepting a general statement that “all aged care is expensive.”

Compare quality and reliability as well as price

The cheapest provider may not offer the best value if it:

• frequently cancels visits

• cannot provide a regular worker

• relies heavily on unfamiliar subcontractors

• has poor communication

• cannot provide services at the required time

• lacks the necessary clinical expertise.

A moderately higher rate may be worthwhile if the provider offers:

• reliable workers

• continuity of care

• stronger clinical oversight

• better communication

• shorter minimum visits

• greater availability

• workers with suitable language or cultural skills.

Price should be considered alongside quality, availability and suitability.

Check the published price against your agreement

Providers must publish the price they most frequently charge for each service.

The price in your service agreement may differ because of location, timing or complexity, but the provider should clearly explain:

• why your price is different

• what additional costs apply

• when the price may change

• how much notice you will receive.

You should have enough time and information to understand fees and agreements before accepting them.

Watch for warning signs

A price may require closer examination where:

• it is substantially above the government’s published range

• the provider cannot explain what it includes

• separate administration or management fees are added

• travel is charged twice

• the price changes without proper notice

• the invoice differs from the service agreement

• the provider charges for time not delivered

• subcontractor costs are heavily marked up without explanation

• minimum visits are not disclosed

• the provider refuses to provide a written price list.

A high price is not automatically unlawful, but the provider must be able to justify how it relates to the actual cost of delivering the service.

Ask these questions before agreeing

Ask the provider:

• What is your standard price for this service?

• How does it compare with your published My Aged Care price?

• What is included?

• Is travel included?

• What is the minimum visit time?

• Are evenings or weekends charged differently?

• Is the worker employed directly or subcontracted?

• What qualifications will the worker have?

• How much notice is given before a price increase?

• How many hours will my quarterly budget purchase?

• Why is your price above the national or local comparison rate?

Ask for the answers in writing where the cost is significant.

What if the price still appears unreasonable?

First, ask the provider for a written explanation and request a review.

You can also:

• compare alternative providers through My Aged Care

• seek independent assistance from OPAN on 1800 700 600

• raise a complaint with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission on 1800 951 822

• change providers if another organisation offers better value and suitable services.

The Commission can monitor or investigate providers that fail to meet Support at Home pricing requirements. Providers that cannot justify their prices may be referred for regulatory attention.

What should I do next?

1. Write down the services, times and practical outcomes you need.

2. Ask at least two providers for written prices and an example service schedule.

3. Check the agreement, local availability and worker backup arrangements before signing.

Helpful Local Home Help resources

• How much does Support at Home cost?

• Browse aged care cost articles

• Find home care providers

Check the official guidance

Check current official costs and pricing 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.