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Domestic Assistance (sometimes referred to as "help around the home" covers the practical household tasks that help older Australians remain safely at home: cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, shopping and home tidying. It can be funded through either the Commonwealth Home Support Programme or the Support at Home program. Domestic Assistance can be arranged privately with no waitlist.

Staying at home as you get older rarely comes down to one big decision. It comes down to whether the practical, everyday tasks that keep a household running are being managed. Domestic Assistance is the service that covers those tasks (cleaning, laundry, meals, shopping, etc). Domestic Assistance is one of the most accessed forms of support in the Australian aged care system. This guide explains exactly what it includes, how it is funded, and how to get it in place for yourself or someone you care for.

What does Domestic Assistance actually cover?

The term gets used loosely, so it is worth being precise. Domestic Assistance is practical help with the household tasks that keep a home clean, safe, and functioning. These jobs have become harder to manage consistently, whether because of age, health, or reduced energy.

In an aged care context, domestic Assistance typically includes:

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General cleaning

Vacuuming, mopping, wiping down surfaces, bathrooms and toilets

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Laundry

Washing, drying, folding, ironing, and putting clothes away

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Changing bed linen

Fresh sheets and pillowcases are changed on a regular schedule.

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Meal preparation

Cooking fresh meals, reheating, menu planning, and keeping the kitchen clean and safe

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Grocery shopping

Accompanied trips to the shops or shopping done on the person's behalf

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Light home tidying

Clearing benches, putting things away, and keeping walkways clear to reduce fall risk

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Rubbish removal

Putting bins out and bringing them back in


Domestic Assistance does not include personal care — help with showering, dressing, or grooming.

That is a separate service category, though many people receive both as part of a broader support plan. It also does not typically cover heavy garden work, major repairs, or pest control, though the boundaries vary by funding program and provider.

The distinction matters because Domestic Assistance is often the first service someone starts with. A few hours of cleaning each week is a low-threshold entry point into home care that many older Australians find easy to accept, and it creates a foundation for adding other supports if needs change over time.

Why Domestic Assistance matters

The practical benefits are obvious, but the less obvious ones are often more significant.

When the basics of a household start slipping; 

  • The laundry is piling up, 
  • The fridge is running low, 
  • The floors are not being mopped 

This is usually a signal that energy, confidence, or physical capacity has changed. Left unaddressed, a declining home environment has real consequences for health and safety: fall hazards accumulate, nutrition deteriorates, and the social embarrassment of a messy home can cause someone to withdraw from visitors and the community.

Regular Domestic Assistance interrupts that cycle. A support worker visiting each week consistently also provides something else: a reliable point of contact. Someone who will notice if the fridge is empty, if the person seems unwell, or if something has changed. That kind of continuity has value well beyond the hours spent cleaning.

Research consistently links a well-maintained home environment to better health outcomes for older people.

The connection between domestic support and a person's ability to continue living independently at home is well established in the Australian aged care literature, and this is reflected in how domestic Assistance is funded across both major government programs.

How does Domestic Assistance support independence?

There is a common concern among older Australians considering home care: that accepting help means giving something up. In practice, the opposite tends to be true.

A wellness and rehabilitation approach to Domestic Assistance means the support is designed around what a person wants to keep doing themselves, not what can be done for them. A support worker might do the vacuuming and mopping. At the same time, the person continues to manage their own dishes and prepare their own breakfast — because those activities are part of their routine and identity, and maintaining them matters. The worker takes the physical load off the harder tasks so the person can keep doing the ones that matter to them.

This approach is now central to how funded aged care is designed and delivered in Australia. The Support at Home program explicitly requires providers to work toward each participant's independence goals, rather than simply delivering a service schedule.

Who is eligible for Domestic Assistance?

Domestic Assistance can be accessed through government funding or privately. The pathway depends on your circumstances.

Commonwealth Home Support Programme

Domestic Assistance is one of the most commonly accessed services through the CHSP. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) provides entry-level support for older Australians who need a small amount of help to keep living independently at home.

To be eligible, you generally need to be aged 65 or over (50 or over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people). An aged care assessment determines eligibility and the types of support approved. 

Under the CHSP, you pay a subsidised contribution toward the cost of each service hour, and the government covers the rest. Providers set their own fees within government guidelines.

The CHSP will continue to operate until at least 1 July 2027, when it is expected to transition into the broader Support at Home program. 

Read our comparison of CHSP versus Support at Home for a plain-language breakdown of both programs.

Support at Home program

The Support at Home program replaced Home Care Packages on 1 November 2025. It is the main government-funded pathway for older Australians with moderate to high care needs. 

Domestic Assistance sits within the Independence category of the Support at Home program and is funded as part of your quarterly budget.

Support at Home Classifications run from Level 1 to Level 8, with higher levels providing larger quarterly budgets. Domestic Assistance is available across all classification levels. 

Your care partner, the person at your provider who manages your plan,  helps you allocate your budget across the services that best match your goals and assessed needs.

Read our article What is Care Management to find out more about the role of a Care Partner

Most Support at Home participants pay a co-contribution toward Independence services. Clinical services such as nursing and allied health are fully government-funded with no co-contribution required. 

Your individual contribution amount is set out in your Notice of Decision from My Aged Care.

Private home care

If you do not yet have government funding in place, or if you need support to start sooner than an assessment allows, Domestic Assistance can be arranged privately through Just Better Care Private. 

There is no waitlist for Private Home Care, no government assessment required, and services can usually begin within days of your first call to your local office.

Private Domestic Assistance is billed at an hourly rate and is agreed directly with you and your local Just Better Care office. 

Private (self-funded) in-home care can also be used as a top-up alongside government-funded care, for services or hours not covered by your support plan.

Not sure which program applies to you?

The starting point for government-funded care is an ACAT aged care assessment through My Aged Care. You can apply online at myagedcare.gov.au or by calling 1800 200 422. 

Our guide to preparing for your Support at Home assessment walks through what to expect and how to make the most of your conversation with your assessor.

What does Domestic Assistance cost?

The honest answer is: it depends on which pathway you are accessing, your financial situation, and your provider.

Under the CHSP, you pay a client contribution set by your provider. Fees vary but are typically low. No contribution is charged if you cannot afford one.

Under Support at Home, Domestic Assistance is funded from your quarterly Independence budget. Your co-contribution is income-tested, and the amount you pay depends on your financial circumstances; Services Australia determines it. 

If you were already receiving a Home Care Package before 12 September 2024, a no-worse-off guarantee means you will not pay more than you did under the previous arrangements.

For Private Domestic Assistance, hourly rates vary by provider and location. Your local Just Better Care office can provide more details at the time of enquiry. Alternatively, you can enquire online now.

How does Domestic Assistance fit into a broader care plan?

Most people who receive Domestic Assistance receive other ongoing services alongside it. 

The mix depends on individual goals and needs, but some common combinations include:

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Domestic Assistance + personal care

Help around the house plus Assistance with showering or dressing, often with the same support worker on the same visit.

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Domestic Assistance + social support

The support worker helps with household tasks and accompanies the person to appointments or activities, reducing the number of separate visits needed.

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Domestic assistance + meal preparation

Cleaning and cooking are covered in the same session, particularly useful for someone living alone.

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Domestic Assistance as a bridge to additional services

Many people start with Domestic Assistance and gradually add transport, personal care, or allied health as needs and confidence develop.

Your care plan is not fixed. Under both the CHSP and Support at Home, services can be adjusted as your circumstances change. 

Your Just Better Care, your Care Partner, reviews your plan regularly and can make changes in response to a shift in your health, goals, or household situation.

For a broader overview of what in-home aged care covers, including all service categories and how they work together, read our guide on what in-home aged care is.

If you are helping a parent or family member

You can apply for an aged care assessment on behalf of a parent or relative with their consent. 

If you are navigating this process for the first time, our guide on how to set up home care for your mum or dad walks through the signs to watch for, how to have the conversation, and the practical steps from first concern to getting support in their home.

What to look for in a home care provider?

Not all domestic assistance arrangements are equal. The practical quality of the service — whether the right things get cleaned thoroughly, consistently, and by someone who shows up reliably — matters. So does the relationship.

Questions worth asking any home care provider

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Will I have a familiar Support Worker each visit?

Consistency matters for trust, safety, and the support worker's ability to notice changes over time.

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What happens if my regular worker is sick or on leave?

Backup cover arrangements should be clear and reliable.

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How are Support Workers recruited and checked?

All workers delivering aged care services must hold a valid police check and, in most states, a relevant screening clearance.

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How are services adjusted if my needs change?

You should be able to add, remove, or modify services without a lengthy administrative process.

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How is the relationship managed?

Who is your point of contact, how do you reach them, and how quickly do they respond?

Just Better Care offices are locally owned and operated. Your care partner is based in the same community as you, knows your local context, and is directly accountable to you. 

Find your nearest Just Better Care office to start a conversation.

How to get started with Domestic Assistance?

The right starting point depends on how quickly you need support and whether you want to go through the government-funded pathway or arrange care privately.

Follow this process for a government-funded aged care option:

1

Register with My Aged Care

Call 1800 200 422 or apply online at myagedcare.gov.au. A family member can apply on your behalf with your consent.

2

Have your aged care assessment

A trained assessor visits you at home. The assessment is free and covers your health, daily living tasks, home environment, and goals. Read our article on how to prepare for your assessment before the visit.

3

Receive your Notice of Decision

This sets out the program and funding level you have been approved for.

4

Choose your provider

You have the right to choose your own provider. 

Just Better Care operates locally owned offices in every state of Australia. Find your local office here.

5

Sign your service agreement and start

Once your service agreement is in place, your support worker visits begin. 

Most people are up and running within two to four weeks of receiving their Notice of Decision.

If you are in a hurry or need support while waiting for your assessment outcome, private home care can bridge the gap immediately. Read more about private home care with no waitlist.

Expertise and advice for yourself or a family member.

Talk to your local Just Better Care team. We can explain your options and walk you through the funded care pathways.

Get started

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