Household services

Eligibility

Household services eligibility

You may apply for household services if you have an accepted claim for compensation and the services are required as a result of your compensable injury.

You may be required to be assessed by an occupational therapist or other health professional.

Your request for household services can be considered if you are no longer able to complete the household tasks required to properly run and maintain your home.

Compensation for household services is not payable for the first 28 days after an injury or illness, unless:

• you have a catastrophic injury
• your claims manager determines you have financial hardship
• your claims manager determines that you require childcare services to supervise your dependent children.

Payment for services cannot be approved if it is reasonable to expect other members of your family to carry out the tasks. This is the case even if family members did not normally undertake the tasks before your injury or illness.

Childcare eligibility

In addition to meeting household services eligibility, a claims manager can consider paying for childcare if:

• you are unable to care for your child as a result of your compensable condition, and
• you didn’t pay for childcare before your injury or your childcare costs have increased as a direct result of your work-related condition.

In dealing with the effects of an ongoing injury, employees are expected to make reasonable adjustments to their childcare arrangements. For example, where two parents are available to provide care and the injured parent (being the injured employee) needs to attend a weekly medical treatment, the other parent is generally expected to adjust their usual activities to provide childcare.

Childcare costs are a normal expense associated with being in employment. An injured employee returning to work after a period of maternity leave, or after a period of incapacity, is expected to cover their own childcare costs in the same way as if they were not injured.

Where a claim for childcare services is reasonably required, we encourage you to use a qualified childcare worker to reduce any potential risk or harm to your child in care.

The Australian Government’s Child Care Finder can help you find a qualified child care provider in your area.

Engaging a service provider

You are responsible for engaging the services of a household service provider.

Using an accredited provider

Comcare strongly recommends that the household services provider is an accredited Australian Community Industry Alliance (ACIA) provider.

ACIA is the national peak body that accredits community service providers operating across Australia to the industry standard. By choosing an ACIA member, you can be assured that the household service provider delivers high quality, individualised services.

Using an ACIA-approved service provider ensures that:

• replacement staff and carers will be available in times of sickness or absence at short notice
• carers have appropriate insurance cover and deliver services that meet work health and safety legislation
• qualified staff with credentials are available to meet your needs
• your needs are monitored appropriately and that care plans are put in place to ensure appropriate services are provided.

For more information, see Australian Community Industry Alliance (ACIA).

Questions to ask potential service providers

Asking service providers key questions before you engage them can help ensure you receive quality services that meet your needs and expectations. Some of this information may also be found on a provider's website.

• Are you accredited by the Australian Community Industry Alliance (ACIA)?
• Are your workers experienced in providing household services to people with similar needs to mine?
• What is the hourly rate? Remember, if the provider’s rate is higher than the statutory rate and you engage them for their services, you are responsible for the payment of any difference.
• Do you supply your own equipment and products? If you prefer the provider uses your products and/or equipment when they would generally use their own, ask them to adjust their hourly rate to reflect the use of your products and/or equipment.
• Who will be carrying out the work and is it the same person each time? Having the same worker means the person is familiar with you, your expectations and the work you require.
• Is there a backup person if the regular person is unwell or unable to make it on the day?
• What are your emergency procedures? For example, what after-hours contacts are available?
• What happens if you have a complaint or concern about the services provided?

Use of family members or friends to provide services

Comcare encourages the use of professionally qualified providers to ensure you are receiving high quality, appropriate care.

We do not encourage the use of family members or friends to provide paid household services as it may:

• cause issues in the relationship
• create conflicting responsibilities
• leave you without appropriate support if the family member or friend falls ill or requires leave.

Requests to have a family member provide household help will only be considered in exceptional circumstances such as where there is limited access to an accredited Australian Community Industry Alliance (ACIA) provider.

You should discuss this with your claims manager before engaging a family member or friend to provide household services. We recommend that family members providing household services are accredited by, and meet the same standards of, ACIA.

Payment for services

Payment limits

Payment for household services is subject to a weekly maximum limit. This limit does not apply to people who have a catastrophic injury.

How a service provider gets paid

There are two ways a service provider can be paid for their services:

• from the claims manager (preferred method) or
• directly from you.

From the claim manager

If you are an employee of an Australian Government agency or statutory authority, your service provider can email invoices for approved household services to general.enquiries@comcare.gov.au.

Where your claim is managed by a self-insured licensee, please work directly with your claims manager.

Directly from you

The service provider may seek payment directly from you and then you can seek reimbursement through your claims manager.

If you are an employee of an Australian Government agency or statutory authority, email your receipt of payment for approved household services with a Medical Services Claim form (PDF, 95.9 KB) to general.enquiries@comcare.gov.au.

We will usually make payments within 28 days of receiving the invoice.

Where your claim is managed by a self-insured licensee, please work directly with your claims manager.

If you are unsure who your service provider should seek payment from, please call us on 1300 366 979.