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In-home services for seniors Home Maintenance

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.

What is home maintenance at St Vincent's?

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.

illustration of st vincent's worker helping client in garden

Things you can get fixed with St Vincent's home maintenance

Changing broken lightbulbs

Fixing sticky doors and windows

Curtain and blind repairs

Gutter cleaning

Pathway clearing & pressure washing

Fixing taps & toilets

Patching small wall holes

Appliance fixes

Repairing uneven flooring & steps


Why use home maintenance with St Vincent's?

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

illustration of st vincent's worker helping client in garden

Outstanding care is the St Vincent’s way

A heritage of care

Over 160 years of developing our caring expertise across hospitals, aged care and in-home care

Familiar faces

Consistent staff that get to know you over a period of days, weeks, months and years (and help you more because of it) 

People first, not profit

A not-for-profit mission aimed at getting the best outcome for your health and lifestyle (not squeezing money out of you for shareholders) 

St Vincent's Home Care Fees & Costs

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.

daughter chatting with dad

Our most common questions about home maintenance

A: When it comes to getting the care you need at home, whether it's nursing, allied health, or general support there are three main ways to fund it.

Each option has different advantages, access times, and eligibility requirements.

Let’s walk through them clearly.

1. Support at Home (Government-Funded In-Home Care)

Support at Home is the new national aged care program replacing Home Care Packages from 1 November 2025. It’s designed to provide coordinated, flexible help for older people needing support to live safely and well at home.

Why this might suit you

  • Subsidised by the government, which reduces your out-of-pocket expenses.
  • Provides nursing, personal care, domestic help, allied health and more — all under one care plan.
  • You can choose your provider and help design your support plan.

Typical access time

  • After assessment, you may wait several weeks to months, depending on your classification and funding availability.
  • There is a priority system for those with higher or more urgent needs.

How to access

  1. Call My Aged Care to request an aged care assessment.
  2. Complete an in-home assessment to determine your support classification.
  3. Wait for funding to be allocated based on your needs.
  4. Choose a provider and create your Support at Home care plan.
  5. Begin receiving services as per your individual budget.

Key things to know

  • You’ll receive a personalised budget (not a lump sum) to manage your services.
  • You’ll typically work with one main provider who coordinates your support.
  • Income-tested fees may apply, depending on your financial situation.

2. Private Nursing and Support Services

If you prefer to skip the government system, you can pay for support directly out of pocket — no waiting, no paperwork.

Why this might suit you

  • Immediate access — no wait for assessments or approvals.
  • Freedom to choose any provider you like.
  • Care is fully customisable, from wound care to medication support to companionship.

Typical access time

  • Immediate, as soon as you book with a provider.

How to access

  1. Contact your preferred nursing or home support provider.
  2. Explain what kind of help you need — nursing, therapy, cleaning, etc.
  3. Request a quote and confirm the cost.
  4. Book your services at a convenient time.
  5. Pay the provider directly.

Key things to know

  • Some private health funds may cover part of the cost — ask your insurer.
  • This option is ideal for short-term, urgent, or gap-filling care needs.

3. Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)

CHSP is a government-funded program offering entry-level support for older adults who need just a little help to stay independent at home.

Why this might suit you

  • Faster access than Support at Home in many regions.
  • Offers basic help like meals, transport, nursing visits, and home maintenance.
  • Great for people with low-level needs.

Typical access time

  • Usually 2–6 weeks from initial assessment to starting services.

How to access

  1. Call My Aged Care for a basic eligibility screening.
  2. Complete a light-touch home assessment.
  3. Receive referrals to local CHSP providers.
  4. Book services directly with those providers.

Key things to know

  • Not meant for complex or long-term care needs.
  • You may need to contribute a small co-payment per service.
  • CHSP is not suitable for ongoing nursing care that requires coordination.

Bonus Tips for Funding

  • Waiting times vary by region — always ask your assessor or provider what’s realistic locally.
  • You can combine options — some people pay privately while waiting for Support at Home funding.
  • Keep receipts and service agreements — especially if you’re self-managing or planning to claim from insurance.
  • Speak up if something’s not right — every funded provider must follow quality and safety standards under the Aged Care Quality Standards.

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.

Get in touch with our home care team

Home care enquiries phone number

☎ 1800 960 223



Home care enquiries contact form