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Everyone who is approved for the Support at Home program is given the option to self-manage their funding. Self-management puts you in the driver’s seat of your support, with more choice and control over the services you receive.
Why self-management in aged care matters
Self-management in aged care is based on the understanding that older people are the experts in their own lives. Whether independently or with help from trusted supporters and carers, the idea is that older people should have the freedom to make their own care decisions.
The Aged Care Act 2025 introduced a new Statement of Rights, affirming your right to choose how, when, and by whom your aged care services are delivered.
What are the benefits of self-managed aged care?
While traditional Support at Home providers can offer some of this flexibility, self-managing gives you even more freedom. You can choose your own support workers and health professionals, and decide – through platforms like Mable – who supports you, when, and at what cost.
Choosing to self-manage your aged care package through Mable could also mean you choose lower service costs which may leave more of your funding available for support.
How to self-manage your own aged care funding
Self-managing means you have control and choice over how you use your Support at Home funding, in line with your support plan and approved services.
This means:
- Choosing the people who support you
- Deciding what services they provide
- Choosing when (what time, how many hours, etc) you want those services
- Changing support workers or modifying your schedule when you want to.
You might like someone who:
- Lives locally and knows the area
- Speaks your language
- Shares your interests
- Fits your preferred days and times
- Matches your personal preferences in other ways.
Having these choices can be game-changing, not only to determine the quality of care you receive, but to make sure that you’re comfortable and familiar with the support workers coming into your home.
What self-managed aged care funding on Mable looks like
Mable has been playing a leading role in supporting consumer’s rights to self-manage their aged care funding for several years.
Self-managing means you and your family can book independent support workers in your area yourself. You find a support worker who you like, agree on an hourly rate, the services they provide and the days and times they provide support.
You still need a registered Support at Home provider to host your package. Your provider will offer ongoing care management, including developing and reviewing your care plan. If you’re interested in using Mable to find support, we can introduce you to our Approved Provider Partners, such as HomeMade.
Benefits of self-managing your Support at Home funding using Mable
For many clients, the biggest benefit of Mable is the freedom to make care personal. That might mean choosing support workers who feel like the right fit, setting a schedule that suits your lifestyle, or enjoying the comfort of seeing familiar faces each time someone comes to your door.
For others, it’s the peace of mind it provides about the safety and wellbeing of their loved ones.
Mable also makes it easier to access quality, affordable support by helping you connect with support workers who fit your budget.
How to get started on Mable with a self-managed Support at Home funding
If you’ve received your Support at Home funding, you can start using Mable to find and book support workers. We’ll even help you find a provider who will allow you to self-manage.
Here are the steps to get started:
Step 1
Step 2
Call our customer support team on 1300 736 573 to find out which partner providers are in your local area. We’ll also explain how their fees work.
Step 3
Contact support workers directly to get to know them better. Agree the hourly rate you wish to pay, and the hours and services that work for you both. Many workers on the platform will offer a meet-and-greet for free, so you can meet in person to find out if you’re a good fit.
Step 4
Frequently asked questions
I want to self-manage but I live in a small country town without any Mable workers and plenty of people looking for work. Can I hire people from my community?
Yes, you can! We see Mable as a community-based solution for people to find care and support, especially in rural and regional areas, creating not only jobs but also connected communities. Just let us know who they are, and we will fast-track them through our onboarding process, which includes police checks, references and qualifications (if applicable). Once they're approved, you can engage them through the platform, and they'll be covered by insurance.
You can't generally engage a family member, but you may be able to in certain cases, for example, in a remote community. You could discuss this with your case manager.
Please note, from 12 September 2025, the NDIS Worker Screening Check will replace police checks as a mandatory requirement for support workers signing up to Mable.
Learn more about inviting your support worker to Mable.
How much does Mable cost?
Signing up for Mable is entirely free for clients, allowing them to start searching for and communicating with support workers immediately.
While support workers can sign up for free, they cannot be approved to work on Mable without obtaining a new police check through our partner, Checked Australia, via the link in their Mable profile. This costs $44, approximately 31% discount on their standard rate of $64. The police check includes ID verification.
Please note, from 12 September 2025, the NDIS Worker Screening Check will replace police checks as a mandatory requirement for support workers signing up to Mable.
Each support worker sets their own hourly rates, within our $38 minimum hourly rate and the NDIS price cap (when applicable), which are clearly displayed on their profiles. Before booking a support worker, the support worker and the clients/you must discuss and agree on the rate and schedule.
The cost structure is transparent, whereby clients pay the agreed rate plus a 7.95% client platform fee, while workers receive the agreed rate minus a 10% support engagement fee. No fees are charged until a client books a support worker and the services are delivered. Payments are made online and can be easily tracked through support hours in your Mable account. For more detailed information about Mable's pricing, you can visit our Pricing page.
Do you cater for people who are not computer-literate?
We are an online platform, so you will need to create a profile and select workers on your computer or mobile device. If you are not comfortable doing this on your own, you might decide to host your package with a provider who can give you a little extra care management. Ask your provider if they can assist you in selecting and scheduling your workers using Mable.
What is Support at Home care management?
Care management is there to help you get the most out of your Support at Home funding. Your care manager (sometimes called 'coordinator') will work with you to make sure the care you receive suits your needs, your lifestyle and your goals. This includes coordinating services, checking in regularly and creating a care plan that changes with you.
Everyone receiving Support at Home – even if you're self-managing – will have 10% of their budget set aside each quarter for care management.
Does my provider still have responsibility for my care plan?
Yes. Providers still have a duty of care to the client, to make sure they are receiving services in line with their care plan, and acting reasonably in the choices they're making.
If I use Mable as an interim solution, how do I get a care plan?
If you're waiting for your funding to be allocated, or find yourself without a provider for whatever reason, we might be able to help. Our platform allows you to connect with independent support workers and case managers who can develop a care plan with you. Increasingly we're seeing independent case managers, people with a case management background willing to be independent advisors to consumers regarding their aged care needs and how to get the best out of their funding.
This article, and any linked documents or articles, provides our summary of Support at Home terms and is intended for general purposes only. Please contact My Aged Care for information specific to your circumstances.