Choosing a home care provider for your needs
At Prestige Inhome Care, we know that having a carer support you or your loved one at home is a big step, and that choosing the right provider can be overwhelming. Below you everything you need to know about choosing a home care provider. This simple guide is designed to help Aussie families exploring government-funded Support at Home and private home care options, as well as people already receiving home care.
By the end of this 6 minute read you will be able to shortlist care providers, ask the right questions and be confident in your choice of the best home care team for you or your loved one.
you understand and navigate the steps, from getting started with My Aged Care, notifying Services Australia, right through to selecting the right services to suit your needs.
Exploring your options is the first step towards ensuring you receive the best care possible. We understand all the care options and information provided can be quite confusing. From your first connection with Prestige Inhome Care, we want to ensure you understand your options, gain the right advice and knowledge to make an informed decision about the care you deserve.
Understanding your Home Care options
Government-subsidised home support services in Australia are available through My Aged Care for people aged 65 or over. What you need to contribute (co-contributions) to your home care will depend on your services and financial situation.
Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander people over the aged of 50 and people experiencing or at risk of homelessness aged 50 or over can also access subsidised home care.
Government-funded home care
There are 2 main programs through which you can access help at home: Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and the Support at Home program. As of November 1, 2025 the Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Packages (HCP) program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme.
Private home care
You may choose to pay privately for your care on a permanent basis, or short term while you wait for government funding to be approved. You can also top your Support at Home package with additonal private hours.
If you are approved for Support at Home funding you will receive a letter from the government informing you of the funding you have been approved for and which services.
Prestige Inhome Care is a registered Support at Home provider, offering a wide range of services. We also offer private care from 1 or 2 hours up to 24/7 care.
Once you have been assessed and your government funding has been approved & allocated, or once you have made the decision to fund your own care, you will want to choose the best home care provider for you.
A few tips to help you get started:
- Research other providers and compare their offerings.
- Check the rates and fees – do providers appear to be transparent with their fees?
- Look into the services provided – do they align with your needs?
- Are there lock-in contracts or do they provide the flexibility to change?
Knowing the right questions to ask potential providers is the most important aspect when making a decision about the right provider for you.
Five Key Factors to Consider when Choosing
a Home Care Provider
1. Look for a Reputable Provider
There are many good-looking websites. However, when researching, make sure you dig deeper to find out specific details, and make sure you can answer these questions:
- How long has the company existed?
- Where do they operate?
- Do they have resources to help you get in touch with them when you need them, at any time?
- Do they have credible, legitimate testimonials from other clients?
2. Understand the Fee Structure
Once you have found what looks like a credible provider the next step is to identify their fee structure. The key is to look for inflated administration fees or other unnecessary case management or exit fees that eat into the dollars that could go towards care. Make sure you pay no more than 15% for admin fees, and if paying privately (self-funding) ensure case management is a comprehensive service with many touch-points to ensure you are getting value for this. Also be aware of any exit fees you may be charged if you decide to leave that provider at some stage.
3. Assess the Quality of Care
The reason in-home care is popular is that individuals can remain in their homes within the comfort of their surrounds. However, to experience the true advantages of in-home care you need to be able to recognise what a high standard of care looks like. Ask yourself, do I feel good as a result of my Home Care provider? Do I genuinely feel cared for? Are they doing everything they can to make my life easier?
If you answer no to any of those questions, you have not found the right provider to suit your needs.
4. Check Reviews and Testimonials – what are people saying?
Listen to the opinions of others and explore the reputation of the provider. Look beyond the testimonials on their website. A quick google search of the provider’s name should bring up some independent reviews or testimonials to help you make an informed decision.
5. Know You Can Switch Providers
Unhappy with a provider? Switching is now easy and seamless. Moving to the right provider will save you money and put you back in charge again.
How Prestige Inhome Care Makes a Difference
- No Lock-In Contracts – start or stop services anytime, without obligation.
- True Flexibility – set the hours of care that suit your lifestyle, with a care plan that is tailored to your needs.
- Transparent Fees – We pride ourselves on offering competitive rates with no hidden costs. Our staff help you understand your fees.
- Experienced Case Managers – Our dedicated professionals help you get the maximum value from your care package.
- Service Guarantee – if you’re not happy, we’ll fix it or refund your money.
- We employee all our carers, nurses and staff – no outsourcing, meaning you receive genuine consistency of care and can be confident and trust in the people you welcome into your home.
Ready to Make a Decision? We’re Here to Help
Even if you’re unsure about making a decision now, we’re happy to listen. You don’t need to decide right away, Prestige Inhome Care is always available to answer your questions, provide information, and support you in making the best decision for your care needs.
Feel free to reach out for a no-obligation consultation. Together, we can find the best solution for you.