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If you’ve been approved for Support at Home funding, you’ll need to choose a registered provider. But what exactly does a Support at Home provider do, and how are they different from service providers?
We’ll break it all down in this article.
What is a Support at Home provider?
A Support at Home provider is a registered organisation that manages your funding. Rather than your funds being paid directly to you, they’re held in an account by Services Australia. Your provider claims from this account once services are delivered.
Support at Home providers are also responsible for collecting the contributions that you may need to pay towards your services.
Find out more about participant contributions.
You might hear these organisations referred to as ‘home care providers’ or ‘Support at Home fund managers.’
What role do Support at Home providers play in your care management?
Support at Home providers play a key role through care management, which helps you get the most value from your Support at Home funding. Your care manager (sometimes called a coordinator) will work closely with you to ensure the support you receive aligns with your needs, lifestyle and goals. This includes coordinating services, checking in regularly and updating your care plan as your circumstances change.
Everyone receiving Support at Home – even if you’re self-managing – will have 10% of their quarterly budget set aside for care management.
Is Mable a Support at Home provider?
No, Mable is a “digital platform provider” under the new Aged Care Act. However,many registered providers allow their participants to use their funding to find local support workers on Mable.
Mable is an online platform that connects older Australians and people with disabilities to independent support workers.
These support workers are also called ‘service providers’. A service provider is an individual who delivers services. When it comes to aged care, these services could include nursing, cleaning, home modifications, gardening and allied health like physiotherapy.
Are Support at Home providers all the same?
Support at Home providers aren’t all the same. They vary in how they deliver care, what services they offer, and how flexible they are with your choices.
When price caps are introduced on 1 July 2026, service costs will become more consistent across the board. But each provider will still offer different levels of flexibility, quality, and expertise.
Some only recommend their own staff for support, while others allow you to choose your own team. Availability and range of services can also differ depending on their staffing and location.
You don’t have to go with the provider you’re referred to. You can compare options and choose the one that fits your needs best.
Is self-managing your Support at Home funding for you?
Self-management gives you more choice and control over your Support at Home funding. By self-managing your Support at Home funding, you choose your own support team and schedule. You decide who comes into your home and when.
You’ll still need a registered provider, but some – like HomeMade, an aged care provider that’s part of the same group as Mable – assist you to genuinely self-manage your funding. They’ll consult with you to develop your support plan, pick out the services you need to live independently at home, and let you control the day-to-day.
The Mable difference
With Mable, you can search for diverse and experienced support workers in your area. The platform makes it easy to find people who match your needs and schedule, so you can build a care team that’s just right for you.
By booking and managing support through Mable:
- You decide when and where you receive support
- You choose your own support workers
- You can mutually agree on rates
- Your support sessions booked through the platform are covered by Mable’s insurances so your support sessions are protected.
Plus, if you already have someone you trust supporting you, you could ask them to join Mable as an independent support worker. That way, you both benefit from the platform’s flexibility, safeguards and simple management.
This article, and any of our 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.