Personal care can include showering, dressing, eating, personal hygiene, non-clinical continence support and help with self-administered medication.
Services
Personal care & daily living support
Explore Local Home Help guidance about personal care, daily routines and support with activities such as showering and dressing.
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At a glance
What to know first
From 1 October 2026, approved personal care moves to the Clinical Supports category for participant contributions.
The participant contribution is $0 from that date when the service is approved and Support at Home funding is available, although the service still uses the person’s budget.
The practical detail
Understand the part that matters to you.
What changes on 1 October 2026?
The contribution treatment changes, not the scope of personal care. Personal care can still be delivered by personal care workers and the service price continues to be charged to the person’s available Support at Home budget.
Related Liz Questions
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Services You Can Use at Home
Can Support at Home help with showering and dressing?
Yes. Personal care can include help with showering, dressing, grooming and toileting when approved in your support plan.
Read answer →Costs, Contributions & ValueWill I pay for showering and personal care under Support at Home?
Approved personal care services will have no participant contribution from 1 October 2026.
Read answer →In-Home Care & Support at HomeWhat services can I actually pay for with Support at Home?
Support at Home funding can pay for services that are approved in your support plan and included on the official service list. These may include nursing and allied health, personal care, respite, transport, domestic assistance and home maintenance.
Read answer →Specialised Care: Dementia, Respite & PalliativeCan a person receive dedicated end-of-life care within Support at Home
Yes. The End-of-Life Pathway provides around $25,000 of additional home-based care for eligible people expected to have three months or less to live. It can fund nursing, personal care and practical support, but it normally needs to be combined with specialist palliative care and family or other support rather than functioning as a complete 24-hour care service.
Read answer →Costs, Contributions & ValueDo pensioners have to pay for Support at Home?
A full pensioner generally pays 5% toward independence services and 17.5% toward everyday living services, while clinical supports are free. Some transitioned Home Care Package recipients pay less or nothing-under the no worse off principle, and approved personal care will become free for everyone from 1 October 2026.
Read answer →Costs, Contributions & ValueWhich Support at Home services are free?
Nursing, approved allied health and other clinical supports have no participant contribution. Care management is also contribution free. Personal care will become contribution-free from 1 October 2026. These services may still use your available government-funded budget, so “free” means no out-of-pocket contribution not unlimited care at no cost to your funding.
Read answer →Family, Memory & Difficult ConversationsWhat help is available for a family carer supporting someone with dementia?
Support may include respite, personal care, social support, education, allied health and help coordinating services.
Read answer →Commonwealth Home Support ProgrammeWhat services are available through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme?
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) provides entry-level support services to help older people remain independent and continue living safely at home. Services may include cleaning, meals, personal care, transport, allied health, nursing, social support, respite, equipment and home modifications.
Read answer →When general information is not enough
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