Household service providers
Information for people who provide household services to employees who have an accepted claim under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRC Act).
Types of household services
Household services are basic services of a domestic nature that are required for the proper running and maintenance of your household.
Household services may include:
- cooking
- assistance with grocery shopping (if home delivery is not available)
- house cleaning
- laundry duties
- gardening assistance, which may also include gutter cleaning
- childcare.
Compensation is not payable for household maintenance and repairs such as:
- painting and decorating (exterior and interior)
- washing, servicing, repairing or maintaining family vehicles
- repairing fences, doors, and windows
- plumbing, and
- electrical repairs.
Comcare’s goal for household services is to help the employee return to work and health while maximising their independence.
If you are an employee, see household services to find out how to apply for services.
Standards for service providers
We strongly recommend that household service providers are accredited by the Australian Community Industry Alliance (ACIA).
ACIA is the national peak body that accredits community service providers operating in Australia to the industry standard.
By choosing a provider that is accredited by ACIA, the employee and Comcare can be confident that the household service provider delivers high quality, individualised services.
For more information about standards for service providers, see Operating as a Comcare service provider.
Process of engaging household services
Step 1: Employee applies
An employee who has an accepted claim for compensation under the legislation applies for household services.
Step 2: Assessment
A claims manager may arrange an assessment by a suitably qualified professional, usually an occupational therapist, to help determine if and what services the employee needs.
Claims managers of government agency and statutory authority employees use the following template:
- Home Assessment by an Occupational Therapist Report template (DOCX, 85.3 KB)
- Guidance for Occupational Therapists Conducting a Home Assessment information sheet (PDF, 125.7 KB)
Claims managers of self-insured licensee employees may use their own template.
See more information on eligibility for household services.
Step 3: Determination issued
If approved, the claim manager issues a determination for household services to the employee in writing. The determination shows the level of services that have been approved and the length of time.
Step 4: Employee engages a provider
The employee is responsible for engaging the services of a household service provider. You can ask the employee to view the determination letter, if you want to check the level of services that the claims manager has approved.
Step 5: Services are reviewed
Claims managers regularly review the services which are approved to ensure the:
- employee is receiving an appropriate level of service
- type of assistance being provided meets the employee’s needs.
We expect the type and frequency of household services an employee requires to reduce as they recover and adapt.
Payment for services
Rates of payment
Payment for household services depends on the assessment of services required and is subject to a maximum weekly limit. This limit is updated on 1 July each year.
See the current rates of payment for household services.
Where an employee’s compensable condition is a ‘catastrophic injury’, and they are receiving household services for their compensable condition, the maximum weekly limit for services does not apply.
Household services are not payable, under legislation, within the first 28 days from the date of injury or illness, unless the employee can demonstrate financial hardship. Should you provide services to an employee during this period, you will need to discuss payment with the employee.
Childcare costs
Claims managers in the Comcare scheme can authorise payment for childcare where an employee is unable to care for their children as a result of their compensable condition.
This is only payable where we can establish that they didn’t pay for childcare before their injury or their childcare costs have increased as a direct result of their work-related condition.
Where a claim for childcare services is reasonably required, Comcare prefers the use of a qualified childcare worker to support optimal care.
How providers are paid
There are two ways you can be paid:
- through the claims manager (preferred method), or
- by the employee.
Through the claims manager
If the employee’s claim is managed by Comcare, you can submit their relevant household services invoices for payment in three ways:
- Digitally via Tyro Health - This is our preferred invoicing method, and the quickest way to get paid
- by email at general.enquiries@comcare.gov.au
- by post to Comcare, GPO Box 9905, Canberra ACT 2601
If you submit your invoices to Comcare digitally through Tyro Health, payment is usually next business day for approved invoices.
If you submit your invoices to Comcare by email or post, processing and payment will take longer. See more information on what to include on your invoice and if to apply Goods and Services Tax.
Remember, only submit invoices to Comcare after services have been provided.
For more information, see Invoicing and Payment.
If the employee’s claim is managed by a self-insured licensee, you work directly with the licensee.
By the employee
Where necessary, household service providers can seek payment directly from the employee receiving the service. The employee can then seek reimbursement from the claims manager.
For more information, see Reimbursement - Receipts.
More information
For more information:
- see Guidance on applying the SRC Act – Compensation for household services
- call us on 1300 366 979.
