Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is a self-managed care plan?A: A self-managed care plan gives you total control over your government Support at Home funding. Instead of a traditional "Big Provider" dictating who visits you and taking massive administrative cuts, self-management allows you to directly choose and pay local, independent support workers. This flexibility keeps care funding in the community and results in substantial cost savings.
Q2: How does a self-managed care plan save me money?A: Traditional full-service providers often charge your package $100/hr on weekdays and up to $240/hr on public holidays, while paying the actual worker a fraction of that. By self-managing, you pay the independent worker's flat rate directly (typically our local standard of $66/hr). This mathematical difference means your funding pays for significantly more actual care hours rather than head-office overheads.
Q3: Will self-managed care plans provide quality care like full-service providers?A: Absolutely—often better. Because independent workers in our network keep 100% of their hourly rate, they are fairly compensated and highly motivated. You choose the specific people coming into your home, resulting in consistent, dedicated service and a stronger local connection.
Q4: How do I transition from a full-service provider to a self-managed plan? A: Transitioning requires shifting your funding to a provider that supports self-management. We highly recommend using Trilogy Care or My Home Care as your official provider. For those who want local, boots-on-the-ground support to help coordinate this transition, we recommend connecting with the independent Mallacoota Cares group.
Q5: Do I need to use platforms like Mable to find workers? A: No. Platforms like Mable take a 10% fee from the worker's pay and an additional 7.5% fee from your budget. The CarePlan.au network is designed to bypass these platform fees entirely. Workers manage their own independent insurance (such as BizCover) and use our custom Vigilance Tracker to generate compliant invoices, meaning no middleman takes a cut of the $66/hr rate.
Q6: How do I know independent workers are compliant and trustworthy? A: Independent workers operate as their own small businesses with their own ABNs, Police Checks, and independent insurance. Furthermore, workers using the CarePlan Vigilance Tracker use our automated system to log GPS-verified check-ins, task completion, and AI-assisted progress notes, ensuring complete transparency and compliance for your provider records.
Q7: How can I get started? A: You can join the network via our online signup page, which has dedicated pathways for both self-managed clients and independent workers. If you prefer to chat first, feel free to contact us directly
at 0419 415 000 or book a meeting online using our Calendly link.
Q8: Is there any cost to get assistance from CarePlan.au? A: Our primary goal is to provide the technology and directory to help our community navigate the self-managed system. There is no charge for initial consultations or guidance—we are here to help you take control of your care!
Q9: What is Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and why do I need it? A: Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) adds a vital layer of security by requiring two different types of identification to confirm your identity when logging in. Common methods include:
Text Messages (SMS): A unique code is sent to your mobile phone after you enter your password.
Authenticator Apps: Apps like Google or Microsoft Authenticator generate secure, time-based codes directly on your device without needing a cell signal.
Email: A unique code is sent to your inbox.
Biometrics: Using physical traits like a fingerprint or Face ID (common on modern smartphones) to verify it is really you.