The Old Problem: ITCF Was a Real Barrier Under the old system, many people paid an Income Tested Care Fee (ITCF) of: $20–$30+ per day $140–$210+ per week And that was paid regardless of how much support you actually used. So people did one of two things: Used more services than they needed to “get value” Or avoided the system altogether and paid privately Both were completely rational. What’s Changed: Clinical Care Is Now $0 Under Support at Home, the biggest shift is simple:

Should Self-Funded Retirees Apply for Aged Care Support? Many self-funded retirees assume aged care support isn’t relevant to them. The thinking is simple: “We’ll just pay for what we need privately.” For a long time, that was a reasonable position. But things are changing, and in many cases, not getting assessed early can now be a mistake. This guide explains: Why the old thinking doesn’t always hold anymore What’s changed in the system When it does (and doesn’t) make sense

What Is the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)? The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) is the Australian Government’s entry-level aged care program, designed to help older people stay independent at home for longer. If you or a family member only need a small amount of help with daily tasks, CHSP is often the first place to start. This guide explains: What CHSP actually includes Who it’s for (and who it’s not for) How much it costs How it compares to Support a

Australia’s aged care market is growing, consolidating, and becoming harder to navigate. Here’s what the latest KPMG market data means for providers, families, and the future of better care decisions.

One of the most common frustrations in home care is this: Two providers can be working from similar funding, yet one appears able to deliver more support than the other. How can that be? The answer is usually not one single thing. It is the structure underneath the quote. It is not just about the funding amount Families often assume that if the funding level is the same, the amount of support available should also be the same. In practice, that is not always true. The funding

A home care quote should do one thing clearly: show you what is being funded, what may need to be contributed, and how those amounts translate into actual support. Too often, that is not what happens. Instead, families receive documents that feel hard to interpret, difficult to compare, or too vague to make a confident decision from. If you are reviewing a quote, here is what should be included. 1. The funding level or subsidy amount A clear quote should show the level of fun

When families first start looking at home care, one of the most frustrating parts is comparing quotes. On paper, two providers can appear to offer similar support. In reality, the cost structure, client contribution, care management approach, and amount left for actual services can be very different. That is where many people get stuck. The challenge is not just finding a provider. It is understanding what you are being quoted, what you may be expected to contribute, and how

Introduction When choosing a home care provider, one of the biggest decisions is not the provider itself. It is the model. Do you want a provider to manage everything for you, or do you want more control over how your funding is used? This is the difference between traditional and self managed home care. What is traditional home care Traditional providers: coordinate your care arrange services manage staff and scheduling handle all administration This is often described as a

Introduction If you’re looking into home care, one of the first questions is: How much does it actually cost? The answer isn’t as simple as a single number. Most people receive government funding but what you actually get in services depends on: your funding level your provider’s pricing and how your care is managed This guide breaks it down clearly. The simple answer Most people receive between: $10,731 and $78,106 per year in government-funded home care But: You don’t recei

Introduction If you’ve been looking into home care, you’ve likely come across services that offer to: help you find providers guide you through your options connect you with care All at no cost. It sounds helpful—and it can be. But it’s worth understanding: How do these services actually work if they’re free? The simple answer Most “free” matching services are funded by providers. That means: you don’t pay to use them but providers may pay to receive introductions or enquirie

Introduction When people start looking for home care, the focus is often on: funding levels provider names what services are available But the real question is: What does good home care actually look like day to day? Because when it works well, it feels simple. When it doesn’t, everything becomes harder than it should be. Good home care feels easy This might sound obvious but it’s important. Good home care should not feel like: chasing people repeating yourself managing the s

Switching home care providers is more common than most people expect. Many families: start with one provider run into issues and then move to another within the first 6–18 months It’s frustrating. Time consuming. And often avoidable. So why does it happen and how can you get it right the first time? The uncomfortable truth Most people don’t switch providers because of one big issue. They switch because of small problems that don’t get resolved. Things like: calls not returned

Introduction It’s one of the most common assumptions in home care: “Not-for-profit providers are better.” More trustworthy. More caring. Less focused on money. But is that actually true? Or is it just something that sounds right? Why people believe this The logic feels simple: Not-for-profit = no shareholders No shareholders = no profit motive No profit motive = better care It’s a compelling idea. But it skips over how home care actually works today. What “better” really mean

Introduction When choosing a home care provider, many people are drawn to organisations described as “not-for-profit”. It feels like the safer choice. More ethical. More focused on care. But what does “not-for-profit” actually mean in practice, and does it change your experience as a client? What “not-for-profit” actually means A not-for-profit provider is an organisation that: does not distribute profits to shareholders reinvests any surplus back into the organisation That’s

If you’re starting to look into home care, it can feel confusing quickly. You’ll hear terms like: Home Care Packages Support at Home Providers Funding levels And it’s not always clear how it all fits together. This guide breaks it down simply—so you can understand your options and what to do next. What is home care? Home care is support that helps you stay living safely and comfortably in your own home. It can include: Help around the house Personal care (like showering or dr

Choosing a home care provider feels like a big decision. Because it is. But most families don’t get it wrong because they’re careless. They get it wrong because: The system is confusing Providers look similar And no one explains what actually matters So they do what most people would do. They guess. Here are the most common mistakes (and how to avoid them) 1. Comparing providers based on the wrong things Most people look at: Brand name Website First impression But these don’t

Most people think getting a Home Care is the hard part. It’s not. The hard part is what comes next. Because once you’re approved and assigned, you’re expected to: Choose a provider Understand pricing Allocate your funding Make decisions you’ve never had to make before And no one really explains how it all works. Here’s what no one tells you 1. More funding doesn’t automatically mean better care It sounds obvious: Higher package = better support But that’s not always how it pl

Most people ask the same question: “How many hours of care will I get?” It sounds simple. It’s not. Here’s the problem You’re asking the wrong question. Because in home care: You don’t actually have “hours.” You have a budget. And that budget gets turned into hours differently depending on the provider. Why hours are so confusing Under Support at Home: Funding is allocated as a budget Providers set their own hourly rates Additional costs can apply depending on services So two