What Can I Manage Myself and What Must My Provider Still Oversee?
You can choose to manage the rostering of your workers and the sourcing of services. However, under the Aged Care Act 2024, your provider cannot completely step away.
Your provider retains legal responsibility for your safety, quality of care, and compliance. This means they must oversee your self managed aged care package to ensure you are safe.
Specifically, your provider must:
- Review your care plan regularly.
- Conduct a care management check-in with you at least once a month.
- Ensure any changes to services are safe and within your budget.
If you want to know more about the standards your provider must meet, you can check the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission website.
Can I Choose My Own Workers Through Self Management?
Yes. One of the biggest benefits of this model is that you can choose specific people to come into your home. This is often called using third party workers aged care.
A “third party worker” is someone who is not directly employed by your provider but is engaged by them to help you.
However, self managed aged care providers have strict obligations. Your provider must still formally engage or subcontract these workers. They must check that the worker has a valid police check, insurance, and the right training before they walk through your door.
If your provider refuses to engage a specific worker, they cannot just say “no” without explanation. They must make a clear decision and inform you of the specific reasons why the request cannot be agreed to (for example, if the worker lacks the required insurance).
Do I Still Pay Contributions If I Self-Manage My Services?
Yes. The rules for contributions depend on the type of service, not who delivers it.
- Clinical Care: If you are receiving nursing or Clinical Care Services, you generally do not pay a contribution.
- Independence & Everyday Living: If you use self-managed care packages for services like cleaning, gardening, or personal care (categorised as Independence and Everyday Living services), you will likely need to pay a contribution.
These contributions are based on your income, assets, and the service type. Self-managing the service does not exempt you from these government-mandated co-payments.
Do I Still Receive Care Management If I Self-Manage?
This is a common point of confusion. The answer is yes.
Every participant receiving ongoing services must have a Care Manager. Even if you are highly independent, the government requires a professional to maintain oversight of your safety and changing needs.
Because of this, 10% of your quarterly budget is automatically deducted for Care Management. This applies to all self-managed Home Care Packages. This fee ensures your provider can monitor your care plan, meet compliance standards, and step in if your health declines.
What Are My Responsibilities Under A Self-Management Agreement?
As they often say, with greater choice comes greater responsibility. If you enter a self-managed aged care agreement, you must be organised.
Your key responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Staying compliant: You must only arrange services that are in your approved care plan.
- Budgeting: You need to track your spending to ensure you don’t run out of funds.
- Communication: You must notify your provider before making changes to your services.
- Paperwork: You must submit invoices promptly so your workers get paid.
If you cannot meet these obligations, your provider is required to step in and take back the responsibility for organising your services to ensure you remain safe.
How Does Reimbursement Work If I Pay A Third-Party Worker Directly?
It is possible to pay a service provider directly and get reimbursed, but you must follow the rules strictly to ensure you get your money back.
- Approval First: The service must be in your care plan and budget before you buy it.
- Worker Check: Your provider must have already screened and engaged the worker.
- Evidence: You must provide a valid receipt or invoice.
Once you provide the evidence, your provider claims the subsidy and reimburses you. For more technical details on this process, refer to the My Aged Care Support at Home Program information.
Where Can I Get Help If I Choose To Self-Manage?
Self-managing can be rewarding, but it can also be complex. If you ever feel overwhelmed, remember that you can adjust your level of involvement. You can ask your provider to take on more of the work at any time.
If you are having trouble negotiating a self-management agreement with your provider, or if you need help understanding your rights, independent advocacy is available. OPAN (Older Persons Advocacy Network) provides free, independent support to help you navigate these conversations.
Self managed care is about empowering you. With the right support and a clear understanding of the rules, you can make the new system work for your unique lifestyle.
