Reclaim Your Retirement
Home assistance services have never been better for Australian retirees — and many of them are government-subsidised. So, stop doing the chores you hate and start doing what you love.
You’ve spent decades mowing lawns, mopping floors, and hauling shopping bags. Retirement is meant to be your time — for family, friends, hobbies, travel, or simply sitting on the back deck with a good book.
So why are so many Australians over 65 still spending their best hours on housework?
The good news: there’s a growing range of home assistance services designed specifically for retirees — and the Australian Government helps pay for them.
“I used to spend my whole Saturday cleaning. Now I go lawn bowls on Saturday morning and let someone else deal with the floors.” — Adelaide retiree, 71
What kind of help is available?
From a quick hand with the vacuuming to full garden maintenance and grocery runs, home assistance covers far more than most people expect.
- Home cleaning – vacuuming, mopping, bathrooms, laundry
- Garden & yard – mowing, pruning, weeding, safe outdoor upkeep
- Shopping & errands – groceries delivered or collected on your behalf
- Home maintenance – Minor repairs, changing bulbs, safe modifications
- Meal preparation – home-cooked meals or delivery to your door
- Transport – appointments, social outings, getting around
Who pays for it?
The Australian Government’s Support at Home program — which launched in November 2025 — helps older Australians access these services at home. It replaced the old Home Care Packages system and is now more flexible and tailored to individual needs.
Under this program, the government contributes to your care costs based on an assessment of what you need. You pay a contribution on top — how much depends on your income and the type of service. Full pensioners pay very little (around 5–17.5% for everyday tasks like cleaning). Even self-funded retirees have a lifetime contribution cap of $130,000, so costs are always protected.
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) is also still running for lighter, entry-level support and will continue until at least mid-2027.
“The hardest part was asking for help. Once I did, I couldn’t believe I’d waited so long.”
How do you get started?
The single starting point for all government-funded aged care in Australia is My Aged Care. You call them, have a conversation about your needs, and they arrange a free assessment — usually in your home or by phone. From there, you’re matched with the right level of support and connected to local providers.
You choose your own provider, keep control over your services, and can change things as your needs shift.
What could you do with that time back?
Think about it. If you handed over just three hours of housework a week, that’s over 150 hours a year — enough for a weekend trip to the Barossa, dozens of rounds of golf, or simply more time with the grandkids. Your retirement is too valuable to spend on a mop.
First step: call My Aged Care
Phone 1800 200 422 (free call, Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 10am–2pm) or visit myagedcare.gov.au to start your assessment. It’s free, and there’s no obligation.
Sources:
Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing — Support at Home program
My Aged Care – My Aged Care;
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