As we age, everyday tasks can become more challenging, but that doesn’t mean you have to lose your independence. Personal care services provide the support you need to maintain your dignity and wellbeing while staying in the comfort of your own home. Whether you need help with showering, dressing or mobility, these services ensure you receive the right care while preserving your lifestyle.

What is personal care?

Personal care includes essential daily activities that support health, hygiene, and comfort. These services help seniors continue living independently by assisting with fundamental tasks such as bathing and grooming. Because personal care involves hands-on assistance with sensitive tasks, support workers delivering these services must hold relevant qualifications or training. While personal care can include meal assistance (such as help with eating or drinking), meal preparation is considered a separate service and does not require the same level of formal training.

Common personal care services

  • Showering and bathing: Help with safe entry and exit from the shower or bath, ensuring hygiene and fall prevention.
  • Dressing and grooming: Support with selecting outfits, brushing hair, shaving or applying makeup to maintain self-confidence.
  • Toileting and continence care: Providing dignified assistance with bathroom use, incontinence management and hygiene.
  • Meal assistance: Providing support with eating and drinking when needed. This does not include meal preparation or cooking, which falls under “everyday living services”.
  • Mobility support: Helping with movement, transfers and using mobility aids like walkers, hoists and grab bars.
  • Oral hygiene: Assisting with brushing teeth, denture care and overall mouth hygiene to promote good health.
  • Medication reminders: Ensuring medications are taken on time to support wellbeing.
  • Companionship and emotional support: From conversation to reading, playing games or simply enjoying a cuppa together, companionship services ensure emotional comfort and mental wellbeing.
  • Palliative care: Supporting individuals’ personal care needs during end-of-life care. Under the Support at Home (SaH) Program (starting 1 July 2025), a new End-of-Life Pathway will provide eligible participants with up to $25,000 over 3 months to increase care at home.
  • Assistive technology and home modifications: Currently, assistive technology (e.g. wheelchairs, shower chairs) and home modifications (e.g. grab rails, ramps), are funded through Home Care Packages and the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). From 1 July 2025, these services will sit under the new Support at Home program, with tiered funding up to $15,000. An assessor may approve you for an assistive technology funding tier, a home modification funding tier or both.

For the most up-to-date information, please visit the official My Aged Care website.

Personal care services can be provided on a daily, weekly, or occasional basis depending on your needs. These services require qualified support workers to ensure safe and dignified care.

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Who is this service for?

Personal care services are ideal for:

  • Seniors who want to stay in their own home but need help with daily tasks
  • Families looking for trusted support for a loved one
  • Individuals recovering from illness, injury or hospital stays
  • People living with dementia, mobility issues or other health conditions

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Benefits of staying at home for personal care

Choosing in-home personal care over nursing homes offers many advantages:

BenefitHome CareNursing Homes
Familiar environmentStay in your own home with minimal disruptionAdjust to a new facility and surroundings
Personalised careTailored support based on your individual needsGeneralised care approach for multiple residents
Emotional wellbeingRemain close to family, pets and communityLimited personal freedom and visits
IndependenceChoose your schedule and level of supportFacility-led structure and schedules

Many families find that home care allows for greater flexibility and a higher quality of life.

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How is personal care funded?

Navigating government funding can be complex, but we can help you make sense of your options and ensure you maximise your funding.

Current funding (Before July 2025):

Funding from July 2025:

Support at Home (SaH) will replace the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme from 1 July 1 2025. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will transition no later than 1 July 1 2027. Until then, CHSP will remain available for eligible individuals needing entry-level home support services. 

Key benefits of Support at Home include:

  • A defined service list – a clear list of services for personal care under the “Independence” category.
  • More equitable contributions – only pay contributions for the personal care services you’ve received. Contribution rates will be a set percentage of each service’s cost, with the government covering the rest. For part pensioners and those holding or eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, contributions will be based on income and assets. The percentage contribution to the cost of personal services is shown below.
Personal care services
Full pensioner5%
Part pensioner & Self-funded retiree (holding or eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card – CSHC) 5 – 50% (based on income & assets)
Self-funded retiree (not eligible for a CHSC)50%
  • A “no worse off” principle – If you were receiving a Home Care Package (HCP) or on the National Priority System as of 12 September 2024, you will not pay more for your personal care services under Support at Home than you would under HCP. Your contribution rate will be the same or lower under the new system.

Personal care exclusions – Under the Support at Home (SaH) program, general beauty services, such as hairdressing, waxing and cosmetic treatments, are not covered. Services not covered under the Support at Home (SaH) Program include:

  • General beauty services (e.g., hairdressing, waxing, cosmetic treatments)
  • Medical services typically funded by Medicare or private health insurance (e.g., clinical nursing, wound care, dose administration aids)
  • Prescription medications or pharmaceuticals

For the most up-to-date information regarding funding, please visit the official My Aged Care website.

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Applying for a My Aged Care assessment

Before you can start receiving government-funded personal care, you will need an assessment:

  • Apply through My Aged Care: You can apply for an assessment through My Aged Care, either online or by calling 1800 200 422.
  • Have a face-to-face assessment: If your application is successful, a trained assessor will come to your home to determine your eligibility for personal care services.
  • Receive a support plan: If you’re approved for care, you will receive a personalised support plan and be notified of the level of support you’re eligible for. You now join the national queue to await your funding. 
  • Receive your funding and select a provider: Once your funding is allocated to you, it’s time to choose a provider to manage your budget and deliver your personal care services.

Note: Anyone approved for a Home Care Package (HCP) before 30 June 2025, will automatically transition into the Support at Home program without needing reassessment, unless their needs have changed.

For the most up-to-date information regarding assessment, please visit the official My Aged Care website.

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Private personal care services

If you do not qualify for government funding or prefer immediate access to care, privately funded personal care is a flexible option.

H3: Why choose private care?

  • No waiting periods – government funding can take months, but private care allows you to start immediately.
  • More control over services – choose exactly what support you receive and when.
  • Flexible support options – whether you need one-off, occasional or live-in care, private funding offers more flexibility.

H3: How much does private personal care cost?

Private personal care services vary based on:

location – rates may be higher in regional areas compared to metropolitan cities.
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service type and frequency – such as daily assistance, overnight care or live-in support.

care worker qualifications – experienced or highly-trained staff may cost more.

What to do if things go wrong

If you’re unhappy with your personal care services:

  • Speak with your provider to resolve concerns.
  • Request a different carer if you feel uncomfortable.
  • Consider switching providers for better support.

CareAbout helps you find quality personal care services with trusted providers. Compare providers today

How CareAbout can help

Finding the right personal care provider shouldn’t be stressful. CareAbout makes it simple by:

  • Understanding your needs and helping you navigate funding options.
  • Matching you with pre-screened, trusted providers who meet your requirements.
  • Ensuring the best fit based on your preferences, location and budget.
  • Supporting you throughout the process so you can focus on your wellbeing.

With providers across Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth, CareAbout can help you find the right personal care support today.

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