Funded Services
The services you can access will be best suited to your individual care needs and will depend upon the type of funding you receive.
What services are government funded?
Government-funded Home Care encompasses many services, as listed below.
However, it’s important to bear in mind that the government will only cover a product or service for you if it is determined to support your personal independence, safety, or wellbeing. The services you can access will be best suited to your individual care needs and will depend upon the type of funding you receive, Care Manager assessments, and input from your health practitioners. Your Care Manager (or other Coordinator) will work closely with you to ensure the products and services you use are the best fit for your requirements.
If there are any additional services your funding doesn’t cover that you wish to access, we can offer these for you to purchase privately in most cases.
If you’d like to know more about government-funded services, call us and we’ll be glad to help.
Government Funded Home Care Services
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Personal Care
Funding will pay for a Carer to help you to perform tasks involved in daily living, including hygiene and grooming.
Examples include:
- Bathing and showering
- Using the toilet
- Dressing and undressing
- Medication reminders
- Getting in and out of bed
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Help With Meals
Funding will pay for certain services that ensure you continue to eat well.
Examples include:
- Meal delivery costs (see MiMeals)
- Assistance from a Carer with meal preparation according to dietary needs
- Help from a Carer to use eating utensils
Please note: Funding does not cover the cost of meals.
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Domestic Assistance
Funding will pay for certain services to keep your living space in a clean and liveable condition.
Examples include:
- House cleaning
- Making beds
- Washing and drying clothes
- Grocery shopping
Please note: Funding does not cover the cost of groceries or alcohol.
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Health Care
Funding will pay for certain services and at-home help to treat and monitor medical conditions.
Examples include:
- Nursing care
- Allied health services (such as podiatry, physiotherapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy)
- Some basic hearing and vision services
- Specialized care for particular conditions, such as dementia
Please note: Funding will not pay for services already covered by Medicare (including gap payments), or medications.
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Home Maintenance
Funding will pay for certain services that keep your house and garden in a safe condition.
Examples include:
- Basic lawn and garden maintenance
- Some home repairs (e.g. repairing unsafe flooring or paths)
- Some home modifications (e.g. altering the bathroom to accommodate physical limitations)
- Accessibility improvements, such as ramps, additional lighting, handrails etc.
- Decluttering and removal of debris
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Transportation
Funding will pay for services to help you get out and about to certain appointments and activities.
Examples include:
- Transport with a Carer to medical appointments, post office, library, hairdresser, etc.
- Transport with a Carer to meet up with friends and family or attend group social engagements
- Taxi vouchers to get around without a Carer needing to be present
Please note: Some distance limits may apply to transport services.
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Keeping Active
Funding will pay for certain services that help to maintain mobility and fitness.
Examples include:
- A Carer assisting with walking and exercising, and providing company during these activities
- Some exercise programs and classes, where these are specifically designed to improve strength and balance or treat medical conditions (e.g. hydrotherapy)
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Assistive Aids
Funding will pay for certain aids and services that support your independence and safety.
Examples include:
- Provision of aids that assist in the performance of daily living tasks, such as shower chairs, commodes, walking frames, mechanical lifting devices, slide sheets, sheepskins, tri-pillows, pressure-relieving mattresses
- Provision of aids that assist with communication, such as picture cards or resources in other languages
- Assistance from a Carer to use supportive aids and technology
- Services of an interpreter where there is a language barrier
- Video conferencing and digital technology to increase timely access to care
- Fall detectors and personal alarms, and services that monitor these devices
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Connectivity
Funding will pay for basic products and services that help you stay connected with the community.
Examples include:
- Setting up a phone or internet connection
- Basic phone or computer equipment
- Accessible devices, such as phones with larger buttons or screens
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Social Support
Funding will pay for certain services that enhance social wellbeing and connectedness.
Examples include:
- A Carer visiting the home to provide social company (e.g. have friendly conversations, play games or puzzles, accompany to community activities, reminisce stories of the past, enjoy cooking or gardening together, etc.)
- Social support groups
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Continence Care
Funding will pay for products and services to manage continence.
Examples include:
- Continence assessments with a nurse
- Continence aids and equipment such as disposable pads, commode chairs, bedpans and urinals, and catheter and urinary drainage appliances
- Stomal therapy
- Assistance from a Carer in using continence aids
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Respite Care
Funding will pay for services that provide respite to private Carers (e.g. friends and family). Respite services may include a variety of supports such as personal care and companionship services.
What isn’t covered by government funding?
There are many services that government funding will cover, but some everyday expenses are excluded.
- Bills such as electricity, gas, or water
- Cost of food, groceries, meals, and alcohol
- Rent or mortgage payments
- Gambling
- Holidays (flights, accommodation, etc.)
- Entertainment costs
- Movie tickets or event tickets
- Medications
- Gifts
- Items already covered by Medicare or PBS
- Other government-funded programs
- Items/services excluded by the government
Types of Government Funding
