How to avoid overspending your Support at Home budget 

Your Support at Home budget funding is designed to help you access approved services that support your needs and independence at home. 

Because ongoing funding is provided through a quarterly budget, it is important to plan how your money will be used across the full three-month period. This is particularly important in self-managed aged care, where you may take a more active role in choosing workers, comparing service prices and monitoring your spending. 

These practical steps can help you avoid overspending your Support at Home budget. 

Your Support at Home classification determines your quarterly funding amount. Before planning services, check how much of that budget is available after care management funding and any existing commitments are considered. 

For ongoing services, 10% of your quarterly Support at Home budget is allocated to care management. The remaining funding can be planned across the approved services in your care plan. 

Your individualised budget should show your funding, planned services, service prices and any participant contributions that may apply. 

Avoid planning services one week at a time without looking ahead. 

Start with the supports you are likely to need throughout the quarter, including regular personal care, cleaning, transport, allied health or social support. Then consider less frequent services, such as gardening or home maintenance. 

If you self-manage your aged care, you may have more control over service frequency and scheduling. However, self-management does not increase the amount of funding you receive. It changes how involved you are in organising and monitoring your services. 

Before choosing a worker or service provider, ask for the complete price. 

When you choose an independent worker through self-managed aged care, your registered provider may apply an overhead of up to 10% of the third party’s actual service cost. Include this amount when comparing options and planning your budget. 

A lower hourly rate may not always mean a lower final cost. 

Participant contributions may apply to independence and everyday living services. Clinical supports, such as nursing, do not attract a participant contribution. Your contribution rate depends on your individual circumstances. 

Your contribution is separate from the government funding deducted from your quarterly budget. Understanding both amounts can help you avoid unexpected personal costs. 

Ask your provider to explain the contribution that applies before agreeing to a new service. 

Your Support at Home provider must give you a monthly statement showing your available funding, services delivered, service costs and any unspent amounts. 

If you self-manage, compare your statement with your calendar, invoices and planned services. Check: 

Raise unexpected charges with your provider promptly rather than waiting until the end of the quarter. 

If your spending is higher than expected, speak with your care partner early. 

You may be able to review service frequency, compare provider rates or prioritise the services that are most important to your needs. Do not cancel essential care or make significant changes without discussing how they may affect your safety and care plan. 

A limited amount of unused funding can carry over to the following quarter. The maximum is $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget, whichever is higher. 

The goal is not to spend your entire budget unnecessarily. It is to use your funding thoughtfully on approved services that genuinely support you. 

At Leora Healthcare, we help you understand your available funding, compare service costs and plan your self-managed aged care services across the quarter. 

You can have greater visibility and involvement in your budget, with guidance from an experienced care team when you need it. 

Talk to Leora about making informed choices and getting more value from your Support at Home budget.