Who Provides Support at Home Services (And How Much Do They Cost?)

Who Provides Support at Home Services?

Support at Home services are delivered by government-approved providers. These are organisations that have met strict quality and safety standards under the Australian aged care system and they’re regularly monitored by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

Types of providers

Providers come in different shapes and sizes:

• Not-for-profits like St Vincent’s Care, Anglicare, and Uniting — often with strong community roots and a mission-driven approach.    
• Private home care agencies — these can vary widely, so it’s worth checking their experience and service range.
• Faith-based and culturally aligned services — ideal for people who want care that respects their spiritual or cultural identity.
• Specialist providers — such as those focused on dementia, palliative care, or mobility support.

Some offer services nationwide, while others are hyper-local and better connected to community-specific needs.

Who’s actually delivering care & support?

Even the best provider is only as good as the people walking through your door. Here's who you’re likely to meet and what they do (based on some of St Vincent's pricing):

Registered Nurses (RNs) - $210/hr

RNs are AHPRA registered, bachelor qualified professionals that handle the clinical side of care. They can:

• Administer medications, including injections.
• Manage wounds and dressings.
• Monitor chronic conditions like diabetes or heart failure.
• Train support workers on clinical tasks.
• Communicate with your GP or specialists as needed.

If someone’s health needs are complex or changing, having a nurse involved is essential.

Support Workers - $120/hr

A home support worker is a trained professional who provides non-medical assistance to older people. They are the backbone of home care — the people who show up day in, day out to help with:

• Showering, grooming, and dressing
• Cooking, cleaning, and light housework.
• Transport to appointments.
• Social support, like going for a walk or having a chat.

They may not have medical training, but the good ones bring skill, patience, and consistency. A familiar face can make all the difference.

Allied Health Professionals - $220+/hr

These are specialists who support function and wellbeing, including: 

• Physiotherapists – help with strength, balance, and mobility.
• Occupational therapists – recommend equipment and home modifications to keep people safe and independent.
• Speech pathologists – assist with communication and swallowing issues.
• Dietitians – advise on nutrition, especially when appetite or weight changes.

These professionals often work on short-term goals — like recovering after a fall — but their input can have lasting impact.

Around-the-home helpers - $120+/hr

Support at Home also covers practical help to keep your home safe, comfortable and well maintained. These services are usually provided by vetted, police-checked contractors or by a provider’s own maintenance team. Depending on your needs and funding, you might meet:

• Handymen / Home Maintenance Workers – take care of small repairs and safety tasks, like fixing loose steps, changing lightbulbs, installing smoke alarms, or patching up minor damage.
• Tradespeople – licensed professionals such as plumbers or electricians who can handle more complex or regulated jobs, like repairing hot-water systems, checking wiring, or modifying bathrooms for accessibility.
• Gardeners / Outdoor Maintenance Staff – keep your yard safe and accessible by mowing lawns, trimming hedges, clearing paths, or reducing slip hazards.
• Cleaning Specialists – go beyond light housework to tackle bigger jobs like carpet cleaning, window washing or spring cleans.
• Equipment Installers – work alongside occupational therapists to put in ramps, grab rails or other modifications recommended to keep you safe and independent.

These workers aren’t part of your daily care team like nurses or support workers, but their contribution can be just as important. A well-maintained, hazard-free home reduces accidents, supports independence and can delay the need for higher levels of care. Your provider will normally coordinate these services for you, ensuring everyone who comes to your door is qualified and insured.

Read on:

• What You Can (And Can’t) Spend Your Funding On
• How Much Will I Have to Pay for Support at Home?
• Why You Need an Aged Care Assessment
• What Happens When Home Care Starts

How Much Do These Services Actually Cost? (In Detail)

You can use the below table as a bit of a guide for how much services would actually cost based on actual numbers from St Vincent’s.

This might seem overwhelming at first, but the point of the table above is to give you an idea of how different roles have different costs when it comes to using your Support at Home funding. 

If you want to learn more about Support at Home levels and how funding works, you can find that here. 

Everyone has a role, and the best care is coordinated

If you’re not self-managing your funding, a care coordinator (sometimes called a case manager) can also be part of your team. Their job is to:

• Bring all the different moving parts together — clinical care, home support, allied health, and practical services.
• Help you understand your funding and service options.
• Monitor progress and flag when your needs (or budget) might be changing.
• Act as your single point of contact if you have questions or need adjustments.

At St Vincent’s Care, we offer this type of care coordination as part of our service. It means you’re not left to juggle providers or paperwork on your own. We do the heavy lifting in the background so you can focus on living your life.

It’s about working together, not just showing up. When everyone knows their role and communicates, your care becomes smoother, more consistent and better aligned to your goals.

Parting Thoughts

Choosing a Support at Home provider is more than ticking a box — it’s about building a team you can trust. Every nurse, support worker, allied health professional, and handyman who walks through your door is part of a bigger picture: keeping you safe, well and independent at home.

It’s normal to feel daunted by all the options, funding rules and jargon. You’re not expected to manage it all on your own. With the right provider, you’ll have someone coordinating services behind the scenes, explaining your choices and making sure your care plan evolves as your needs do.

📞 Need a Hand?

The team at St Vincent’s Care can walk you through the process, explain what you’re eligible for and help you plan your services. A quick chat can save hours of frustration and give you confidence about your next steps.

Call us today on 1800 960 223