About

The Story

I’m Colin Dixon, a Mallacoota local caring for my mother with a self-managed Home Care Package (HCP). I started careplan.au in November 2022 after wrestling with the high fees and limited options of aged care in remote Victoria. Full-service providers were eating up funds and underpaying workers, so I took charge of Mum’s plan. Along the way, I’ve learned by doing—figuring out forms, fees, and how to get the best care. This site documents what I’ve found, free for anyone in Mallacoota or beyond to use.

My Mission

  1. Stretch Your Funds: Get more care by skipping the middleman.
  2. Pay Workers Well: Ensure local caregivers earn what they deserve.

My Recommendations

Your choice depends on your situation—here’s what I’d suggest, based on running Mum’s plan with Trilogy Care:

  • Option 1: Trilogy Care – Standard Self-Managed Plan (15% Fee)

    This is the lowest-cost option. You manage your own care plan directly through Trilogy Care, including:

    • Finding and booking workers

    • Managing invoices and approvals

    • Using online tools, email, and forms

    ✅ Best for tech-savvy clients who are confident managing things themselves
    💰 15% of your package is used for administration fees
    📞 Call Trilogy: 1300 459 190

    Option 2: Trilogy Care – Plus Plan with Mallacoota Cares (26% Fee)

    This option is still run through Trilogy Care, but you get extra local support from the Mallacoota Cares team to help with:

    • Worker matching

    • Invoicing and admin

    • Ongoing guidance

    📍 Trilogy still manages your package and collects the 26% fee, but a portion is paid to Mallacoota Cares to support the local service and community workers.

    ✅ Best for people who prefer local help or aren’t confident with tech
    💰 26% of your package goes toward admin and support (you don’t pay out of pocket)

Heads Up: From July 2025, Support at Home swaps HCPs for 8 new funding levels. I’ll update as I learn more.

My Role

I’m my mum’s carer, the rules don’t allow me to invoice Trilogy for work like mowing the lawn. However, I can pay a third party to do it instead.

I’m listed on Mable and also work directly with Trilogy and other aged care service providers. They manage payments from Aged Care Plans. For reference, I’ll use a Level 3 package (~$42,000 per year) and round off numbers.

  • This equates to $112 per day in available funding.
  • Service provider fees range from $17 per day (fully self managed) to $29 per day (Plus plan using Mallacoota Cares).
  • The average worker rate is ~$60 per hour, meaning you typically get 1 hour of support per day, with some funds left over for additional services.

I prefer invoicing Trilogy directly, as lower fees provide better value for you.

If you need advice or assistance, feel free to call me at 0419 415 000. I can work within your plan, and my rate is $66 per hour for specific tasks. I’m also happy to chat and provide advice for free.