A flickering light. A gutter that overflows in the rain. These aren’t just chores—they’re safety hazards waiting to happen. We help fix them—quickly, safely, and with care.
As a part of our in-home care services, St Vincent's coordinates essential, reliable home maintenance for older Australians. These aren't renovations—they're the everyday fixes that keep people safe and independent.
Everything from safety fixes to comfort and mobility can be included as a part of a home maintenance checkup.
Any good handyman can fix a leaky tap. But for the St Vincent's team, it's not just about organising fixes, but about identifying what needs doing in the first place.
St Vincent's qualified staff keeps an eye out to make sure the person you love is getting all the care and support they need.
Ongoing home monitoring and care assessments that keep you worrying less about injuries through trips and falls
Additional clinical expertise through the reach of our St Vincent's hospital network
Consistent & qualified care with a history of care and support over 165 years
St Vincent's is able to offer competitive pricing for hospital & aged care backed clinical expertise because of our not-for-profit mission.
For over 160 years, St Vincent's has been supporting the most vulnerable in our community.
If you're unsure about being able to afford home care services, get in touch and see how we can help you.
A: Understanding how to fund home maintenance can often feel confusing due to multiple options, eligibility criteria, and wait times.
To simplify things, we've outlined the three main funding pathways below, along with clear advantages, potential disadvantages, average wait times, and steps to access each one.
Private funding enables you to pay directly for domestic assistance, allowing immediate implementation tailored exactly to your requirements.
Advantages
Potential Disadvantages
Can be more expensive without government subsidies
All costs must be covered entirely out-of-pocket
Average Wait Time
Immediate (no wait time)
Steps to Access Private Funding
Identify your maintenance needs
Contact your preferred home care provider
Obtain a quote and arrange cleaning directly
Pay out-of-pocket for immediate completion
Home Care Packages provide government-funded assistance to older Australians requiring higher levels of care to safely continue living at home.
Advantages
Government subsidies significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs
Comprehensive and coordinated support
Potential Disadvantages
Longer wait times due to assessment and queue processes
Types of maintenance and improvments in a Home Care Package can be limited and focus more on safety above all else
Average Wait Time
3–12+ months, depending on assessed needs and package availability
Steps to Access Home Care Package Funding:
Contact My Aged Care to request an assessment
Complete an in-home assessment by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT)
Receive your assessment outcome and assigned package level (Level 1–4)
Enter the national priority queue to await funding
Once funding is allocated, engage your preferred home care provider
CHSP provides entry-level government-funded support for essential home modifications to assist older Australians with minimal to moderate needs.
Advantages
Faster access compared to Home Care Packages
Ideal for those needing light touch cleaning around the home
Potential Disadvantages
Limited scope of services and funding
Generally only covers basic home care services
Funding limitations may require out-of-pocket contributions to get the support you need
Average Wait Time
2–6 weeks from assessment to service commencement
Steps to Access CHSP Funding
Contact My Aged Care for initial screening
Undergo a brief home assessment to confirm eligibility
Receive approval and referrals to local CHSP providers
Contact your referred provider to organise domestic assistance
For personalised assistance or further guidance, please contact our team directly on 1800 778 767.
A:
Home maintenance includes small but important tasks that keep your home safe, clean, and liveable. Under Support at Home, this might involve:
Fixing leaky taps or squeaky doors
Replacing light bulbs or smoke alarm batteries
Cleaning gutters or removing trip hazards
Garden upkeep that helps with access and safety
It’s about supporting your independence — so your home works for you, not against you.
A:
Yes — home maintenance is a recognised support under Support at Home, but only when it directly relates to your health, safety, or daily functioning.
Eligible tasks might include:
✅ Securing loose flooring to prevent falls
✅ Installing grab rails or fixing access paths
✅ Clearing overgrowth that blocks doorways
Not typically included:
❌ Renovations for aesthetic purposes
❌ Major building repairs or construction work
Think of it like this: maintenance that protects your ability to live safely and confidently at home.
A:
Ask yourself: “Does this help me stay safe or independent at home?”
If yes, it may be eligible.
The Support at Home assessor — or your service provider — will help match the task to your care needs and ensure it aligns with government guidelines.
Still unsure? It’s always worth asking.
A:
At St Vincent's, home maintenance services are performed by local, trusted contractors.
All workers must be:
Police-checked
Insured
Competent and safe to enter your home
We check to make sure every contractor has all of the above.
A:
If it’s urgent or unsafe, call us straight away.
We can:
Organise emergency maintenance
Approve temporary safety solutions
Escalate the issue if it affects your wellbeing
You don’t need to wait for a reassessment — prompt communication is key.
A:
Yes, but there are boundaries. Landlords are responsible for structural and property-related repairs.
Support at Home can help with:
Safety tasks not covered by your lease (e.g., temporary rails)
Permission-based upgrades that don’t alter the property permanently
Good to know: Always check with your landlord or property manager before changes are made.
