Who does what in self-managed aged care?

Self-managed aged care gives you more involvement in organising your Support at Home services, but it does not mean managing your care without help. 

You and your registered Support at Home provider agree on which responsibilities you will manage and which responsibilities the provider will continue to handle. This arrangement should be recorded in your care plan and service agreement so everyone understands their role. 

Here is a practical breakdown of who may be responsible for what. 

The responsibilities you take on will depend on how involved you want to be, what feels manageable and what you agree with your provider. 

You may choose to: 

You do not have to take responsibility for all these activities. Support at Home allows participants to self-manage selected parts of their care while asking their provider to manage the rest. 

For example, you might organise your own cleaner and gardener but ask your provider to coordinate personal care, nursing and allied health services. 

Your registered provider remains responsible for the care and services delivered through your Support at Home arrangement, including services provided by third-party workers. 

Your provider may be responsible for: 

Registered providers must continue delivering safe, high-quality care, protecting participants’ rights and privacy and meeting their responsibilities under aged care legislation. 

Everyone receiving ongoing Support at Home services continues to receive care management, including people who self-manage some or most of their services. 

Your dedicated care partner works with you to plan and review your care. They can help you understand your funding, decide which responsibilities you want to manage and check whether your services continue to meet your needs. 

Your care partner may also help you: 

Self-management changes how some day-to-day tasks are handled. It does not remove care management or your provider’s responsibility to oversee your funded care. 

You may be able to use an independent or third-party worker, but your registered provider must agree to the arrangement. 

The provider may need to review the worker’s qualifications, screening, insurance, business details and ability to meet aged care requirements. The service must also be part of your approved support plan and included in the Support at Home service list. 

Your provider remains responsible for meeting regulatory requirements for services delivered by third-party workers. 

Make responsibilities clear from the beginning 

Before starting self-managed aged care, ask your provider to explain: Which activities you will manage 

At Leora Healthcare, we work with you to establish a clear division of responsibilities. You can choose where you want greater control and where you would prefer more support. 

Talk to Leora about creating a self-managed Support at Home arrangement where everyone understands their role.