What Is Domestic Assistance in Aged Care? A Complete Guide for Older Australians
As we get older, everyday household tasks that once felt simple can become more difficult. Vacuuming the house, mopping the floor, doing the laundry, changing bed linen or going grocery shopping may become physically demanding due to changes in mobility, strength or general health.
However, needing some help around the home does not necessarily mean an older person needs to leave their home or give up their independence. This is where domestic assistance services can help.
Domestic assistance is designed to support older Australians with essential everyday household activities so they can continue living safely, comfortably and independently in their own homes.
In Australia, eligible older people may be able to access domestic assistance through government-funded aged care programs, including the Support at Home program and the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP).
In this guide, we explain what domestic assistance is, what services can be included, what is not normally covered, how Support at Home domestic assistance works and how to access domestic assistance services in Melbourne and across Victoria.
What Is Domestic Assistance?
Domestic assistance is a type of in-home aged care support that helps older people manage essential household activities when those activities become difficult to complete independently.
According to My Aged Care, domestic assistance is intended to help an older person maintain their independence and quality of life while keeping their home liveable.
- General house cleaning
- Laundry services
- Shopping assistance
It may also involve practical tasks such as vacuuming, taking out rubbish, mopping, watering plants, folding and ironing clothes, or helping organise home-delivered shopping. The exact assistance a person receives depends on their individual circumstances, assessed aged care needs and approved services.
What Services Are Included in Domestic Assistance?
Domestic assistance is not necessarily the same for every older person. One person may need assistance primarily with cleaning, while another person may need help with laundry and shopping. Under government-funded aged care, services should relate to the person’s assessed needs and approved support plan.
General House Cleaning
Keeping a home clean requires physical activity including bending, reaching, lifting and moving around the house. Domestic assistance may provide help with essential light household cleaning such as:
- Vacuuming
- Mopping floors
- Washing dishes
- Dusting accessible areas
- General light household cleaning
- Tidying frequently used areas
- Taking out household rubbish
The Australian Government’s Support at Home service list identifies essential light cleaning, including activities such as mopping, vacuuming and washing dishes, as within the scope of domestic assistance.
Laundry Assistance
Domestic assistance may include help with:
- Loading and unloading the washing machine
- Hanging clothes
- Folding clothes
- Ironing
- Putting clothes away where appropriate
My Aged Care recognises laundry services as part of domestic assistance.
Shopping Assistance
Shopping assistance may include accompanying an older person shopping, helping with grocery shopping, assisting with essential household shopping, or helping organise home-delivered shopping.
It is important to understand that domestic assistance may cover help with shopping, but it does not normally cover the actual cost of groceries or other personal purchases.
Vacuuming and Mopping
Vacuuming and mopping can require considerable strength and movement. Support workers may assist with essential vacuuming and mopping as part of approved domestic assistance, helping an older person maintain a comfortable and manageable home.
Kitchen Assistance
Depending on the person’s assessed needs and agreed service arrangements, domestic assistance may help with washing dishes, wiping accessible surfaces, mopping floors and general light kitchen tidying.
Changing Bed Linen and General Household Tasks
Changing bed linen can require considerable bending, stretching and lifting. Where appropriate under a person’s approved services, domestic assistance may help with activities such as changing bed linen and making the bed.
Is Domestic Assistance Available Under Support at Home?
Yes. Domestic assistance is included in the Australian Government’s Support at Home service list.
- Clinical Supports – services such as nursing and allied health.
- Independence – services that help an older person maintain independence, such as transport and respite.
- Everyday Living – practical services that help an older person maintain their home and everyday life.
Domestic assistance is classified as an Everyday Living service and includes general house cleaning, laundry services and shopping assistance.
What Domestic Assistance Is Not Covered?
Government-funded aged care does not provide an unrestricted cleaning or household expense budget. My Aged Care identifies general expenses that are not included in domestic assistance, such as:
- Professional cleaning services
- Pest control
- Dry cleaning
- Pet care
- The actual cost of shopping
Services need to be consistent with assessed needs, the approved support plan and relevant aged care program rules.
Is Domestic Assistance Free in Australia?
Not necessarily. Under Support at Home, domestic assistance is classified as an Everyday Living service. Participants generally contribute towards the cost of Everyday Living services, with the applicable amount depending on individual circumstances and relevant government arrangements.
- The provider’s domestic assistance price
- Your participant contribution
- How much will be deducted from Support at Home funding
- What is included in the service
- Any minimum service duration
- Cancellation conditions
- Other applicable service terms
Why Is Domestic Assistance Important for Older People?
Domestic assistance is about more than having a clean house. Appropriate household support can make it easier for older Australians to continue living independently by providing help with activities that have become difficult while allowing them to continue doing the things they can manage themselves.
How Can Domestic Assistance Support Independent Living?
Many older Australians want to remain in familiar surroundings for as long as possible. Cleaning support, laundry assistance, shopping assistance and light household help can reduce the physical burden of everyday tasks and support continued independence at home.
What Is the Wellness and Reablement Approach?
Support at Home services are intended to follow a wellness and reablement approach. This focuses on what an older person can do and supports them to maintain their abilities, confidence and independence wherever possible.
Who Can Access Domestic Assistance?
Government-funded domestic assistance may be available to eligible older Australians who have been assessed as requiring this type of support. My Aged Care provides information about access through programs including Support at Home and the Commonwealth Home Support Program.
How Do I Get Domestic Assistance Through My Aged Care?
- Step 1: Check your eligibility through My Aged Care.
- Step 2: Complete an aged care assessment.
- Step 3: Receive your assessment outcome and support plan.
- Step 4: Choose an aged care provider that delivers your approved services.
- Step 5: Discuss your domestic assistance needs, pricing, schedule and service arrangements.
- What Should You Look for in a Domestic Assistance Provider?
- What domestic assistance services do you provide?
- What is your hourly service price?
- What activities are included?
- Are there minimum service periods?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- Can I choose preferred service days and times?
- Can you provide consistent support workers?
- Do you service my suburb?
- How will my participant contribution work?
- How will services be reviewed if my needs change?
Domestic Assistance Services in Melbourne and Victoria
My Help Services provides domestic assistance services across Melbourne and eligible areas of regional Victoria, subject to worker and service availability.
- General household cleaning
- Vacuuming
- Mopping
- Light kitchen cleaning
- Bathroom cleaning
- Dusting accessible surfaces
- Laundry assistance
- Folding clothes
- Changing bed linen
- Bed making
- Shopping assistance
Other eligible light household activities
Why Choose My Help Services for Domestic Assistance?
At My Help Services, domestic assistance is focused on providing practical household support while respecting each participant’s independence, dignity, preferences and daily routine. Services are arranged according to approved needs, available funding and service availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is domestic assistance in aged care?
Domestic assistance is practical help with everyday household activities that an older person may find difficult to complete independently. It can include general house cleaning, laundry and shopping assistance.
Does My Aged Care cover house cleaning?
Eligible older Australians may receive general house cleaning through government-funded aged care where domestic assistance is included in their approved services.
Is domestic assistance included in Support at Home?
Yes. Domestic assistance is included in the Support at Home service list under the Everyday Living category.
What cleaning can be provided under Support at Home?
The Support at Home service list identifies essential light cleaning such as mopping, vacuuming and washing dishes as examples of activities within scope.
Can domestic assistance include laundry?
Yes. Laundry services are included within domestic assistance, subject to assessed needs and approved services.
Can someone help me with grocery shopping?
Yes. Shopping assistance can be included, although the actual cost of groceries and other personal purchases is generally not covered.
Is domestic assistance free?
Not necessarily. Participant contributions can apply to Everyday Living services under Support at Home.
Can I choose my domestic assistance provider?
Once you have relevant approval and funding is available, you can choose a provider that can deliver the services in your approved support plan.
Looking for Domestic Assistance in Melbourne?
Getting older does not mean giving up your independence. Sometimes, a little practical help around the home can make everyday life considerably easier.
If you or your parents have been approved for domestic assistance through Support at Home, My Help Services can discuss your approved services, household support requirements, service availability and pricing.
My Help Services — Always Here for You.
References and Useful Links
My Aged Care – Domestic Assistance
My Aged Care – Support at Home
Australian Government – Support at Home Service List
Australian Government – Services Under Support at Home
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only. Aged care eligibility, approved services, funding and participant contributions depend on individual circumstances and government assessment. Australian Government aged care rules and program arrangements may change over time.
