Your Questions, Answered

  • In practical terms, self‑management means you:

    • Choose your own workers (including people you already know)

    • Arrange your own schedule

    • Decide how your budget is allocated

    • Approve invoices and spending

    • Make sure the services match your Support Plan

  • Self‑managing your Home Care Package gives you more say, more freedom, and more control over how your support looks and feels. It’s ideal for people who want to stay independent, make their own decisions, and shape their care in a way that truly fits their life.

    Self‑management often means:

    • Lower provider overheads

    • More hours of support from the same budget

    Under SAH, overheads for third‑party workers are capped at 10% when you self‑manage, which can stretch your budget further.

    You can choose workers who are:

    • Local

    • Known to you

    • Independent

    • Recommended by friends or family

    Your provider must approve them, but you have the freedom to choose.

  • REGISTERED PROVIDER

    To receive funding benefits, you must be registered with a SAH registered provider.

    A registered provider supports older Australians to self‑manage their Home Care Package or Support at Home funding.

    They provide:

    • A care partner (a care manager–type role)

    • Help designing your care plan

    • Budget support and quarterly budget tracking

    • Access to clinical nurses

    • Invoice processing and financial oversight

    • Guidance on choosing workers

    CARE COORDINATOR

    Care Coordinators support you and keep everything safe, organised, and compliant. This can be managed by a registered provider or an independent coordination service.

    When self-managed, your Care Coordinator is your:

    • Care organiser

    • Safety net

    • First point of contact

    • Oversight and compliance partner

    They are responsible for:

    • Intake and assessment

    • Your Support Plan

    • Risk and safety checks

    • Disaster and emergency planning

    • Helping you source workers you choose

    • Monitoring wellbeing and changes

    • Oversight of invoices and spending

    • Ensuring everything meets SAH rules

    They support YOU!

    MADCOTA Cares! (coordinator) is powered by Trilogy Care (registered provider).

    SUPPORT WORKER

    Their job: Provide the hands‑on support in your home.

    A support worker is the person who:

    • Comes to your home

    • Helps with daily tasks

    • Provides social support

    • Assists with personal care (if trained)

    • Drives you to appointments (if approved)

    • Helps you stay safe and independent

    They must:

    • Have the right checks

    • Follow your Support Plan

    • Report concerns

    • Invoice correctly

    • Work safely and respectfully

    They support YOU directly — in your home, with your day‑to‑day needs.

  • No. If you self‑manage your package, you are not required to use a Coordination Service for day‑to‑day decisions, budgeting, or choosing your workers.

  • Because it gives:

    • Peace of mind

    • Safety oversight

    • Help during storms and floods

    • Someone to call when things change

    • Support with worker issues

    • A consistent, reliable system

    Self‑management gives independence. Coordination gives confidence.

  • Use Coordination Services whenever you want independence and choice — but also want safety, continuity, and professional support behind you.