Two clients, one rule. A sole-trader support worker in Ballarat has a full week of private clients, several she's helped for years. Two have now been assessed for Support at Home and want to keep her, but their funding can only be spent through a registered provider.

This example is illustrative.

There is another way. Since the new Aged Care Act commenced on 1 November 2025, you don't have to choose between registering yourself and walking away from aged care clients.

Why registration is a heavy lift for a business of one

Under the new Act, providers must be registered with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission in the relevant registration categories, and they carry the compliance and audit obligations of the strengthened Quality Standards. For a sole trader that's evenings on governance documentation instead of paid work, with the audit exposure entirely on you.

The partner model: same clients, different structure

The legislation allows an alternative: businesses can deliver services to Support at Home participants by working with or through a registered provider that carries the provider obligations. That's Partner with Care's local partner model. We hold the registration, carry the compliance and audit obligations, and handle claiming and government-facing work. You deliver what you already deliver, under your own name.

Because Support at Home clients who self-manage choose their own workers and suppliers, your existing clients keep choosing you. Nothing changes except that their funding can now pay for it. See how it's structured at become a partner.

What you still need in place

Standards still apply, just right-sized ones. You'll still need:

  • An ABN and appropriate insurance for your trade or service.
  • The screening and documentation required before you see clients.
  • Safe, respectful service delivery, and telling PWC promptly if something goes wrong.

You don't need your own registration, audit program or government claiming setup.

New partners are typically live in around two weeks once documents are complete. Established providers in another scheme with paperwork ready can activate clients in hours.

Your brand, your clients, your pricing

The model fits partners of all sizes, from sole traders to established providers. You keep your brand, your client relationships and your pricing power, while PWC does the registered-provider work in the background. Our why us page covers what we carry.