Start with the jobs you find difficult and the rooms you use most. You might enjoy folding your washing but need a hand loading the machine or changing your bed linen. Or you may want help with the bathroom and floors so you can spend your energy on preparing meals. Talk with your provider about the tasks you want help with and those you prefer to do yourself.
Domestic assistance can include routine cleaning, laundry and help with shopping. You still pay for your groceries, and expenses such as professional cleaning, pest control, dry cleaning and pet care are outside this service. See the official domestic assistance description. If you need a specialist clean or repairs, explain this when you enquire so you can discuss the right type of help.
Agree what should happen first and what can move to a later visit if time runs short. A simple list could cover:
This helps to establish clear expectations on how the task is completed to suit your needs.
Talk about whether you would like to go shopping, get help with a list or organise a delivery. Agree on how payment, receipts and putting groceries away will work. If you would also like company or help taking part in community activities, discuss social support as part of your plan. Your provider can explain which tasks are covered by each service.
Let your worker know how to enter your home, whether you have pets and which products or equipment to use. Point out anything you want left in place, such as papers on a table, and ask them to check with you before moving or discarding items. Agree on how to change the task list, how much notice to give if you need to cancel and who to contact if a visit is delayed.
Domestic assistance is an everyday living service under Support at Home. You may need to pay a contribution, depending on your assessed circumstances. Ask for a written estimate showing the service price, how often visits will take place and the amount you will pay. Our funding guide and the government contribution guidance explain how contributions work.
As visits continue, let your provider know whether the important jobs are getting done and whether the schedule still suits you. To discuss household assistance with Choice, contact us with your suburb and the tasks you would like help with.
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Discuss your support needs with Choice
Information reviewed: 26 October 2026.
Yes. Tell your provider which jobs you enjoy and where you would welcome a helping hand. You can plan assistance around the things you want to keep doing yourself.
Ask your provider whether both can fit within your approved support, visit time and budget. Agree which tasks matter most if time is short. For shopping, also discuss payment, receipts, alternatives for unavailable items and putting groceries away.
Your groceries and expenses such as professional cleaning, pest control, dry cleaning and pet care are outside ordinary domestic assistance. If you need a specialist service, raise it when you enquire. Check the official inclusions and exclusions.
Ask your provider what you need to supply before the first visit. Let them know what you already have, any products you prefer to avoid and anything that needs special handling. Include these arrangements in your service agreement.
The cost depends on the provider’s price and how often you receive help. Under Support at Home, you may also pay an assessed contribution. Ask for a written estimate that shows the total service cost and your share. Our funding guide explains the difference.
