Attendant care and domestic services

If you are a participant in our Dust Diseases Care program, we may be able to pay for attendant care and domestic services.

Attendant care services are delivered by support workers. They can assist with day-to-day activities that are difficult for you to manage, such as personal care, managing medication and home nursing.

The type of attendant care and domestic services you can receive depends on your needs, which may change over time. Care services can be delivered by support workers and registered nurses, and can include palliative care.

Find an attendant care provider

How attendant care can support you

Attendant care can help you with tasks including:

  • getting showered and dressed for the day
  • managing your medications
  • managing your day-to-day routine
  • domestic assistance
  • lawn maintenance.

The amount and type of attendant care we can pay for depends on:

  • your needs relating to your illness and your personal circumstances
  • what attendant care is ‘reasonably necessary’ as a result of your injury or illness
  • a health professional, such as an occupational therapist, will meet with you and your family at your home to talk about your care needs.

Choosing an attendant care provider

We have a panel of approved attendant care providers that have the skills and organisational capacity to deliver high quality services for people living with severe illnesses, including dust diseases.

Selecting the right attendant care provider is a personal decision that comes down to you. The panel has a range of service providers with different areas of specialisation.

It’s important to consider which provider seems best to meet your specific needs and can offer services in your location. You can speak to more than one provider before making your decision.

When choosing a potential attendant care provider, consider things like:

  • Are they local to your area?
  • Will they be familiar with the community and resources near you?
  • What types of services do they deliver?
  • Are they familiar with your type of injury or illness?
  • How do you contact them after hours or in an emergency?
  • How you can be involved in choosing your support workers?

We are also here to help you. Dust Diseases Care can organise attendant care on your behalf. Contact us for assistance.

Different types of support

The types of supports offered by attendant care providers are described in the following categories:

  • Clinical/high level support: Can include supports you may need such as managing your oxygen or a ventilator, complex wound management, complex continence management, palliative care needs May require registered nursing support
  • Physical support: Can include physical supports you may need for transferring, mobility and personal care
  • Registered nursing: Includes tasks that must be performed by a registered nurse

Not all providers offer all types of supports. Use our Attendant Care Finder tool to find suitable attendant care providers who offer the supports you need and work in your area.

Getting started

Your provider will explain how their service works and will discuss with you what tasks will be included. It’s up to you and your provider to work out the finer details of your support, such as scheduling visits and emergency contacts and procedures.

It’s important to us that you are getting the most out of your service. That’s why we schedule regular reviews to make sure that as your needs change over time, the services you receive are adjusted and remain appropriate.

Find an attendant care provider