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Private home care (also called self-funded or fee-for-service care) lets you arrange support at home without going through My Aged Care or the NDIS. There's no waitlist, and services can start within days. It's widely used by people waiting for government funding approval, those discharged from hospital, families urgently arranging interstate care, or people topping up their existing funded support. Just Better Care Private offers the full Just Better Care service range – personal care, nursing, domestic help, social support, overnight care, and respite – with local teams, transparent pricing, and a seamless transition to funded care when it becomes available, or the option to continue receiving private services.

When someone you love needs help at home, the last thing you want is to wait. Government-funded aged care is invaluable, but between registering with My Aged Care, completing an assessment, and waiting for funding approval, it can take weeks or even months for support to arrive. For many families, that gap is simply too long. Private home care offers a direct path forward with no assessment, no approval process, and no waitlist. This guide explains how it works, what it costs, and how Just Better Care can have the right support in place within days.

Government-funded home care is an important support pathway for many Australians, but it can take time to access. Assessments, approvals, and transition periods can create a gap between the need for support and its actual receipt.

If you or someone close to you needs help at home now, private home care can offer a faster and more flexible option.

Start
Now		With Just Better Care Private, there’s no government means and income assessment, no waitlist and no lengthy My Aged Care Assessment process before services begin. 
Private support is designed to be more immediate and flexible, so that services can be delivered fast with the highest level of personalisation based on your needs.

Get Started with Just Better Care Private

What Is Private Home Care?

Private Home Care (also called self-funded or fee-for-service care) is support arranged directly with a provider, without relying on government funding to get started.

That means there is no need to wait for a My Aged Care assessment or to manage an NDIS plan before support begins. You can discuss your needs, agree on the services that suit you, and put care in place sooner.

Private home care services can include the same kinds of practical and personal support that people often receive through government-subsidised programs, such as help with daily living, domestic assistance, transport, social support, and nursing care. 

The key advantages of Private In-Home Care are speed, flexibility, and direct choice. 

These benefits are reflected in the promise of Just Better Care Private, support services you arrange with your local Just Better Care office and pay for directly, with the benefit of faster commencement and the highest level of personalisation. Read more.

Support at HOME vs JUST BETTER CARE PRIVATE
How long could it take for support to start?
Support at Home funding timeframes can vary by priority category, while private home care can usually begin much sooner.
PriorityUrgentHighMediumStandardJust Better Care Private
Estimated wait time
Up to
1 month
1.5 to
2.5 months
8 to
9 months
10 to
11 months
PRIVATE STARTS much sooner
3–5 days
Sometimes the same day, depending on availability
Why this matters: If support is needed quickly, private home care may help bridge the gap while waiting for Support at Home funding to become available.
Support at Home average wait times are based on My Aged Care estimated wait times for ongoing funding, updated as of 1 November 2025: urgent within 1 month, high 1.5 to 2.5 months, medium 8 to 9 months, and standard 10 to 11 months. Private Home Care timeframes are indicative only and depend on a range of factors. Source: My Aged Care – Assessment outcome: Support at Home.

Who Uses Private Home Care?

Private home care supports people in many different situations, especially when they want support in place sooner or need more flexibility than a funded program can provide. Read Private Home Care Frequently Asked Questions for more details

Private care can help bridge the gap while government-subsidised support is still being arranged.
After discharge from a hospital stay, recovery from surgery, or a sudden change in health, support may be needed at home straight away.
Some people use private services to top up their existing funded care and get more help, or additional services for a short or long-term period, where it matters most.
Private Care can be arranged quickly, with shorter lead times, making it easier to organise timely support for a parent or loved one if their usual care arrangements change.
A helpful article for families exploring flexible support for ageing parents at home.

How Much Does Private Home Care Cost?

Private home care is paid for directly with your provider, so it’s important to understand pricing clearly before services begin.

Rates can vary depending on the type of support, the day and time of service and the location where services are delivered. There can also be a higher rate where specialist clinical care is required. 

The recent article from Just Better Care on private home care costs explains that pricing is shaped by factors such as level of care, hours and location. Read the article.

Before agreeing to services, ask for clear written information from your Private Home Care provider about:

Standard weekday hourly rates
Rates for evenings, weekends and public holidays
Any minimum booking periods
Additional charges for clinical or specialised care
Cancellation or change fees
Open discussions build confidence in care.
Transparent and open discussions with your local Just Better Care office help people make informed decisions and support more confidence in care.

Just Better Care Private: Immediate Home Care, on Your Terms

Private Home Care can help with shopping and meal preparation

Just Better Care Private is a self-funded in-home support service from Just Better Care, designed for people who want timely, flexible and personalised care without waiting for government subsidised approvals to be finalised or to avoid government funding altogether.

It's immediate, professional private home care, with access to a full range of quality additional specialised services, including private nursing, support for people living with dementia, and the choice between funded and private care. Read more in our articles The rise of Private Home Care and Private In-Home Nursing Care.

What support services are available with Just Better Care Private?
✓Personal care and daily living support
✓Domestic assistance and help around the home
✓Nursing and clinical care
✓Transport and accompanied outings
✓Social support and companionship
✓Overnight or extended care
✓Post-hospital and recovery support
✓Respite support for family carers

The Advantage of a Local Provider

A genuine local team can make a real difference when support needs to begin quickly and change over time.

Local knowledge supports more responsive service, stronger continuity and a more personal experience. It also makes it easier to talk with someone who lives and works in the local community and can help coordinate practical, timely support.

We're LocalThe Just Better Care model combines national standards with local service delivery, helping families access personalised in-home support through teams that understand their community and its needs. 

See why more families are choosing Private Home Care.
Connect with a local team to discuss support options and next steps.

Private and Government Funding: They Can Work Together

PRIVATE & SUPPORT AT HOME WORKING TOGETHER
Start private care now, then transition to Support at Home
1
Start private now
Arrange support sooner to address immediate care needs.
• Personal care
• Domestic assistance
• Nursing support
• Travel & Transport
→
2
Wait for SAH
Your assessment, approval, and funding arrangements can continue to be determined while private care helps cover the gap.
→
3
Transition to SAH
Once you get your SAH notice of determination, services can transition with less disruption.
Continued support.
Smoother transition.
A practical option
Private care can help ensure support starts when needed, rather than waiting until government-subsidised services become available.
Private home care and funded care pathways vary by person, location and circumstances. This graphic is intended as a simple illustration of how private support can begin within days and serve as a bridge until the outcome of government-subsidised support, such as Support at Home, is determined.


A recent article from Just Better Care explains that government-funded care will almost always involve an external ACAT assessment and waiting times for the assessment outcome and funding classification, whereas private in-home care offers more immediate and flexible support. Read the comparison.

A useful read for participants and families deciding which path best suits their needs.

What are some of the common signs that Private Home Care might be right for you and your family?

→You or a loved one needs support soon and can’t wait for a lengthy process
→You need help at home after hospital, illness, surgery or a sudden change
→You are waiting for a plan, package or assessment outcome
→Your current funded support does not fully meet your needs
→You want more flexibility, direct choice and faster arrangements
→You want support shaped around your lifestyle, preferences and routine
Read Ivan's story and compare options for an ageing parent or loved one.

How do you Get Started With Just Better Care Private?

Getting started is simple, with services delivered directly from your local Just Better Care office and shaped around what matters most to you.

1
Talk through your needs, preferences and goals
2
Receive clear information about services and pricing
3
Create a support plan tailored to your situation and circumstances
4
Arrange introduction and scheduling details
5
Start services as soon as they are needed

Our aim is to make the process clear, respectful and responsive from the beginning.

Need support now? 

Just Better Care Private can help you get started sooner.

Flexible in-home support, tailored to your needs, with the confidence of a local team and a premium flexible service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is private home care?
Private home care is support you arrange and pay for directly, without waiting for government funding. It offers more flexibility and can usually begin much sooner. Learn more about private home care.
How quickly can private home care start?
In many cases, private home care can begin within a few days, and sometimes sooner, depending on availability. This makes it a practical option when urgent support is needed.
How much does private home care cost?
Costs vary depending on the type of support, timing and level of care required. It’s important to ask for clear pricing upfront. Read more about private home care costs.
Can I use private care while waiting for Support at Home funding?
Yes. Many people use private home care as a temporary solution while waiting for government-funded support to become available. Compare funded and private care options.
What services can private home care include?
Services can include personal care, domestic assistance, transport, social support and nursing care, depending on your needs. Explore private in-home nursing care.
Is private home care right for my parent or loved one?
Private care can be helpful when support is needed quickly or when more flexibility is required. It can also support families arranging care for a parent at home. Read more about private care for parents.
Still have questions?
Your local Just Better Care team can talk through your Private Home Care options and help you get started.
Enquire Now >