Free guides and tools

Plain English, checked against the official rules, with links so you can see for yourself. These stay free. Every guide shows when it was last checked.

Guides

1. Support at Home in plain English What Support at Home is, who can get it, how the budget works, and what you might pay. The place to start if aged care is new to you. Checked 22/10/2026. 7 minute read.
2. How to apply for an aged care assessment, step by step The first step to Support at Home. How to apply online or by phone, what you'll need, and how to get ready for the assessor's visit. Checked 22/10/2026. 5 minute read.
3. Self-managing: what you can do, and what your provider still has to do The government rules let you do far more yourself than many providers suggest. Here's the line between the rules and a provider's own policy. Checked 22/10/2026. 6 minute read.
4. Finding and engaging an independent worker How to find a good local worker, what to check before they start, and how to get your provider to approve them. Checked 22/10/2026. 6 minute read.
5. Personal alarms for older people, and how Support at Home can pay Home alarms, mobile alarms and falls detection explained without the sales pitch. What to check before you buy, and the funding that can cover it. Checked 22/10/2026. 6 minute read.
6. Reading your monthly statement and the fees on it What the lines on a Support at Home statement mean, which charges are capped, and the questions worth asking your provider. Checked 22/10/2026. 6 minute read.
7. Invoices that get paid the first time For cleaners, gardeners, support workers and tradies invoicing a Support at Home provider. What to put on the invoice, and the small things that get it sent back. Checked 22/10/2026. 7 minute read.
8. How to get approved as an independent worker with a Support at Home provider For cleaners, gardeners, support workers and tradies. What a provider will ask for before it pays you, how to register, and how to avoid platform fees. Checked 22/10/2026. 6 minute read.
9. When an invoice is rejected or a payment is late A calm, step-by-step way to get a stuck invoice or claim moving, and where to go if the provider won't fix it. Checked 22/10/2026. 5 minute read.
10. How to spot a scam before it costs you A fake sale nearly cost me about US$1,100. What gave it away, the signs to look for, and exactly what to do if you've been caught. Checked 22/10/2026. 6 minute read.
11. Finding an occupational therapist by video when you live in the country There was no occupational therapist anywhere near us. Here's how I found a good one for Mum in two hours, and why video sessions worked. Checked 22/10/2026. 4 minute read.
12. Use free AI to run your worker business A free kit for independent cleaners, gardeners and support workers. Copy and paste prompts that turn your week into invoices, chase late payments politely and keep your records straight. Checked 22/10/2026. 5 minute read.

Being written now

• Quotes, approvals and getting your money back. How to get a provider to approve a quote, and how to claim back what you've paid yourself.
• Equipment and home modifications. Rails, ramps, shower chairs and the separate funding that pays for them.
• Keeping records and making a complaint. What to keep, how long for, and how to escalate when you need to.

All guides last reviewed 22/10/2026. Want a guide on something else? Ask Colin.