Private Home Care
All the support you need to stay independent
Private home care in Melbourne
- Unique care needs and your own goals and preferences
All the support you need to stay independent, starting when you need it, not when a package comes through.
Private home care gives you full control over your in-home aged care, i.e. how much support you receive, when it starts and who delivers it.
As one of Melbourne’s private home care providers, Absolute Care & Health arranges private home care services without the wait times, assessments, or funding caps that come with government-funded programs, so if you need care to start this week, it can.
You choose the hours, the carer and the level of support. We take an enabling approach that helps you keep doing the things you love, in the home you love.
Is private home care right for you?
- You're on a Support at Home Program waitlist and need support now, not in 6–12 months
- Your approved Support at Home hours don't cover everything you need. Private care can top up the gap
- You don't meet the aged care assessment criteria for government funding but still want extra help at home
- You've just been discharged from hospital and need short-term, intensive support while you recover
- You want a higher level of choice and flexibility than a funded package allows
- Family overseas or interstate want reliable, professional care arranged quickly for a parent living alone
If any of this sounds like you, private nursing care at home or private personal care could be the right fit and our Care Managers can talk you through what that looks like in practice.
Tailored private care services for you
Some of the types of support our clients benefit from include:
- Regular help with personal care – showering and grooming
- Daily routines like cleaning, making meals, shopping and household organising
- Getting out and about in your local community, accessing amenities and places of interest to you
- Attending appointments
- Help with your medicines, looking after an injury or support after a hospital stay
- 24-hour care for round the clock support
- Palliative care support
How much does private home care cost?
Private home care costs in Australia are typically charged as an hourly rate and vary depending on the type of support you need.
Every situation is different, so we start with a short conversation about your needs and provide a clear, itemised quote, giving you exactly what to expect before care begins.
One thing that does make budgeting simpler because there’s no means test or income assessment, private home care has no ongoing government fees, income-tested contributions, or exit fees to factor in. You only pay for the care you use. Get in touch for a personalised quote.
Private home care vs Support at Home
Many of our clients use both. Topping up an existing Support at Home budget with private hours to cover a gap, or using private care as a bridge while they wait for their package to be approved. Read more about how private funding works or compare it with our Support at Home.
| Private Home Care | Support at Home Program | |
|---|---|---|
| Wait time | Can often start within days, or 24 hours in urgent situations | Assessment and approval process, then a waitlist |
| Eligibility | No assessment required | Requires an aged care assessment |
| Funding cap | None. Use as much or as little as you need | Capped by your approved package level |
| Fees | Pay only for the hours you use | May include income-tested care contributions |
| Flexibility | Full choice over hours, carer, and services | Governed by package guidelines |
Our approach
We’re a curious bunch, asking the right questions to understand your needs and your values. By discovering what’s important to you, we personalise private home care services to suit, helping you find a fulfilled life at home, your way.
Our passion for service excellence means we will always go the extra mile (or even run a marathon!) to meet and exceed your expectations, no matter how big or small. We value determination and dedication, and it shows.
As Easy As 1, 2, 3…
It’s quick and easy to get your private home care started.
Depending on the amount of care you need, we can usually get your services started within a week. In urgent situations we can often start care within 24 hours.
Talk to us
Call us on 1300 030 032 to find out more about how we work and how we support you. We're also happy to meet face to face, or over Zoom or Teams.
Your Care Manager
You'll have one of our highly experienced Care Managers looking after your care needs. They'll discuss what support you need and select the right carers for you, staying in touch with you and your family regularly.
Your personalised care begins
After an initial assessment with one of our Registered Nurses, we'll match you with exceptional carers, well suited to your needs and your care begins.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about private home care
These are some of the most common questions, answered for you.
What is private home care?
How much does private home care cost in Australia?
Private home care is charged as an hourly rate that varies depending on the type of support. General domestic and personal care is typically lower cost than clinical nursing care. There’s no income testing or government contribution, so you pay only for the hours of care you use. Contact us for a personalised quote.
What's the difference between private home care and a Support at Home program?
A Support at Home program is government-funded, requires an aged care assessment, and is capped at your approved funding level. Private home care has no assessment, no cap, and can start much sooner. Many clients use it to bridge the wait for a package or to top up their approved hours.
How quickly can private home care start?
Depending on the amount of care you need, we can usually get services started within a week. In urgent situations, such as after a hospital discharge, we can often start care within 24 hours.
Can I combine private care with a Support at Home or NDIS plan?
Yes. Many of our clients use private home care to top up an existing Support at Home or NDIS plan when their approved hours don’t cover everything they need.
Do I need a doctor's referral or aged care assessment for private home care?
No formal referral or government assessment is required. We do complete an initial assessment with one of our Registered Nurses to make sure you’re matched with the right carers and level of support.
Which Melbourne suburbs do you provide private home care in?
We service metropolitan Melbourne broadly, including South Yarra, Hawthorn, Toorak, Malvern, and surrounding suburbs. If you’re unsure whether we cover your area, call us on 1300 030 032 and we’ll confirm.
Find out more about private in-home aged care
For more information about how we do things, download our information pack. It has everything you need to know about who we are and what we do.
What our clients say about us
- Richard and Kelly, Hawthorn
It's your life. Live it, love it, own it.
By making sure we absolutely understand your goals, your needs and your situation, we deliver great customer experiences, creating and celebrating positive outcomes every day.
