Private Home Care

Private Home Care Services

Private home healthcare services can be used to supplement government-funded care or as a replacement altogether. If you’d like to discuss private care or elderly home healthcare with an aged care expert, contact The CareSide today and we’ll help you get started.

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What is private home care?

Many elderly Australians secure the healthcare support they need through government subsidies from a Home Care Package (HCP) or the Commonwealth Home Support Programme.

However, some older individuals require additional aged care services.

Home Care Package funds enable you to avoid the life changes and transitions involved in moving to a residential care facility. With an HCP, you can live in your own home, follow your schedule and enjoy independence as you age.

You may not qualify for subsidies due to your income or specific health needs, yet still desire additional assistance at home. Alternatively, you might be eligible for a subsidy but face a waiting period for the approved Home Care Package you are set to receive.

In those cases, you might opt to purchase private home care instead of (or in addition to) government-funded care.

Private in-home care is home health support that you pay for privately out of your own income. You can choose any private home care provider, including government-approved providers, private charities or uncertified individual agencies. You have the autonomy to choose exactly the services you want, with no need for approval and no waiting period.

However, it’s important to note that you are responsible for covering the entire cost of the in-home care services.

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The Difference Between Private and Government-Funded Home Care

The main difference between private and government-funded home care is how you pay.

With private home care support services, you pay the entire cost out of your income. Sometimes that includes additional fees, although those are often adjusted to be more affordable for private care recipients.

Alternatively, with subsidised care, you use government funding to pay for services that you’ve been approved to receive. Depending on your income and needs, you might be able to receive subsidised care at no cost to you.

However, government funding does come with some inconvenience.

To receive government-funded care, you must apply for an eligibility assessment, at which point an assessment team determines your eligibility for specific types of care and services. Beyond that, subsidised packages also usually have a waiting period, which could be as long as a year or more.

In contrast, private home care eliminates those inconveniences. You have the freedom to decide exactly what kinds of services you require without needing approval from anyone. You can choose any caregiver or provider you like, with no restrictions on your choices. Moreover, you can begin care immediately, as soon as an appointment is available.

Both types of care allow you to choose your provider, and you always have the right to change providers if you aren’t happy with your service.

Support at Home on Your Terms

The CareSide provided me with an amazing support worker, Gayle, who comes to my home three times a week. She is caring and does a fantastic job.
Michelle MasonPrivate care recipient in Lake Macquarie, NSW
Michelle Mason
Frequently Asked Questions

There are many reasons you might prefer private home healthcare:

  • You’re not eligible for a government subsidy

  • You’re waiting for your Home Care Package to become available

  • You require additional services that are not covered by your funding package, and private care can supplement these to meet all your needs

  • You only need short-term care, making the assessment application and waiting period impractical, while private care can swiftly fulfil your needs

Private care may also be the optimal option if you need temporary extra help such as post-operative care​ or ​palliative care​.

For instance, if you typically receive care from a loved one, family member or unpaid carer, you can hire a private caregiver for a day or two per week to complement your existing care. In that way, private home care can be utilised as ​respite care, which enables your loved ones to take a break from their caregiving duties to attend their own needs.

The cost of private home healthcare depends on the types of services you need and the qualifications of the care workers. If you only need minimal help around your home, such as housecleaning and meal preparation, then home care delivered by a private personal caregiver could be as affordable as $30 per hour for a few hours a week.

If you have more complex personal care goals or require private nursing care, you may need a professional caregiver with healthcare certifications and special skills. This can raise your cost to as high as $200 per hour or more for a registered nurse on holidays or weekends. Nursing assistants and qualified home caregivers who can address most healthcare needs typically cost around $65 per hour.

Even if you aren’t eligible for government subsidies, you may be able to get help paying for private care. If you have private insurance, home healthcare costs are likely covered.

Private insurance often includes a hospital cover policy that encompasses at least part of the cost of hospital substitute services or home rehabilitation services. These include home nursing care services, such as occupational therapy and wound care, and may extend to household services such as cooking and cleaning.

If you have private insurance, speak with your insurance provider to find out what types of services are covered in your plan.

There are no eligibility requirements for receiving private home healthcare. You can purchase any service you choose without needing to be assessed or qualified.

Although elderly people often utilise private home healthcare for aged care services, there is no minimum age requirement. Private care is also for people who have disabilities, those needing temporary care after surgery or illness, and individuals of any age with chronic conditions such as dementia or mobility challenges.

There are also no limitations on the types of care you can receive. You can hire a private caregiver for ​companionship and extra help with household tasks​, or you can hire full-time ​live-in care​. Private home care services encompass a wide range of assistance, including pet care, transportation, nursing care, 24-hour care, and everything in between.

There are no waiting lists for private home care, so you can begin receiving care as soon as the private home healthcare provider you choose is available.

Because you’re paying for the services out-of-pocket, you have the full autonomy to determine the type of care you need and when you wish to receive it. You don’t need approval for a specific level of care, and you can schedule an appointment at your convenience.

Private elderly care at home can be your best option for several reasons. Even though you have to pay the full cost, it can be more cost-effective than subsidised care, as some funded home care providers impose additional fees. (The CareSide has ​no additional fees for joining, exiting, or consultation —however, ​many providers do​.)

Other benefits can include:

Privacy, autonomy and independence

Private home care offers you full autonomy and independence. With no wait times or eligibility requirements to navigate, you can choose the exact types of care you want based on your needs and goals and start immediately.

Individualised care plans

Since there are no guidelines or eligibility requirements in a private home healthcare plan, you can design your care to meet your needs. This means you can choose the exact services you need without paying for any services you don’t need.

Private care enables you to build a completely individualised care plan. Funded plans often start with a list of the standard services for your situation, and you can sometimes remove or add services as needed. But with a private plan, the starting point is your individual needs—not a pre-designed package of standardised care. 

Furthermore, private care enables you to add or remove services as needed. Some subsidised providers in Australia have minimum service requirements, exit fees, or other rules that make it difficult for you to adjust your care if your needs change. Private care is often more adaptable and accommodating in this regard

Value

If you need to pay privately for home healthcare, getting the best value for your money is crucial. The simplest way to measure value is by the number of hours of care you can receive for the same price. ​For example, The CareSide provides significantly more hours for the same cost compared to most agencies.

Private Home Care Without Price Shock

Michael Woodruff
Son of private home care recipient

Everlyn has provided exceptional companionship to my father at a reasonable cost. We are grateful for everything she does for him.

Speak with our team about your home care needs.

1300 85 40 80

How to Find a Private Home Care Provider

Finding the right private home healthcare provider for your needs doesn’t have to be complicated. Since you’re responsible for the full cost of private care, start by setting a budget. Compare providers and prices ​to confirm you can afford the care services you are seeking. This initial step will help you narrow down your options and find a provider that fits within your financial means while meeting your care needs effectively.

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Where to Look for Private Home Care

For government-subsidised care, it’s crucial to ensure the provider you choose is on the My Aged Care list of ​approved providers​. However, with private home care, there is no centralised list of approved providers. This means there are numerous places you can search for care, but there are fewer systems in place to help you verify a provider’s qualifications.

Many of the government-approved providers also offer private care services, so you can utilise those lists to find a reputable private care provider. ​Aged Care Guide and ​Aged Care Online, for instance, are reliable resources that maintain updated lists of home care providers approved for government funding.

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Differences Between Private Home Care Providers

There are numerous options for private home services, but you can narrow down your choices by identifying what type of provider you want for your care.

First, with private care, you can choose to work with an agency or a private individual.

If you only need one type of care service, such as a companion to help with meal preparation once a week, then an individual provider might be less expensive. However, if you require several different types of care workers or more complex clinical care, arranging your home care through an agency could be more straightforward.

Care agencies can be for-profit or charitable. Both types are regulated by your state or territory, but they are not required to adhere to the national ​Aged Care Quality Standards​. Organisations that aren’t recognised as government providers may not meet the same standards of care that recognised providers must follow.

Who to Ask for Help

If you need assistance in finding the right care provider, your first resource should be your doctor. They are familiar with your health and care needs. They should also be familiar with care providers in your area. Your GP should be able to recommend several care providers you can choose from, but if you need more assistance, an agency like ​My Care Path can help you navigate the options for home healthcare.

Common Pitfalls

No matter how much effort you put into finding the right provider, there are still common pitfalls to avoid. Here are a few to keep in mind throughout your search:

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Cost

Since you’re paying from your income, it’s essential to ensure you’re getting the best value. Many providers charge administrative fees that may be unnecessary, particularly if your care needs are relatively straightforward. Seek out providers that offer options for self-managing your care or include low package management fees.

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Quality of Care

Another risk is the potential lack of quality care. Private providers in Australia are not regulated by the government, which means they might not adhere to the same quality care standards as public providers. Additionally, they might employ caregivers with insufficient training​.

One way to avoid this pitfall is to choose a government-approved provider for your private care. Choosing an approved provider ensures you receive quality care. It will also make the transition easier if you become eligible for subsidy funding in the future.

If you choose an unregulated private provider, ensure they provide adequate training for their care workers, perform background checks, and assign the same caregiver consistently to facilitate continuity of care.

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Vague Service Agreements

Public home care providers are required to give you a detailed written care plan. This plan describes the care you’ll receive, outlines the costs involved, and specifies how often you’ll receive services for your unique needs.

A private provider should give you a similar document that details all of your care—not a vague service agreement. Ideally, this care plan should also be reviewed by a healthcare professional who has assessed your health needs, such as a registered nurse. This ensures the services you select meet all of your needs.

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Time Constraints

Home healthcare can be complex to manage, and private providers may not offer care management. If you don’t have the time or capacity to schedule appointments with multiple caregivers, then you might need to hire a care manager to help. This can increase costs significantly unless you purchase services from a provider that includes a care manager in their fees.

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Insurance

Finally, when choosing a private home care provider, make sure they carry proper insurance and worker’s compensation for caregivers, and that they comply with Australian tax law. The company should carry insurance and worker’s compensation to protect you from liability for any accidents that may occur in your home. Additionally, your provider should adhere to tax regulations and include GST in the cost of their services.

Affordable Private Care

Private home care doesn’t have to come with exorbitant costs. We’ll ensure you get the most value for your money—and the best care.

Contact us today to learn more.

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