An individualised budget shows the funds available to you under Support at Home and how those funds will be used to pay for your services. It sits alongside your care plan and should be prepared at the same time so both documents line up clearly.
The short answer
Your individualised budget should show:
- the funding available to you
- how that funding will be spent on services
- the price of each service item
- any participant contribution that applies
- whether the total available budget covers the total planned cost of care.
How is an individualised budget different from a quarterly budget?
These two things are connected, but they are not the same.
Your quarterly budget is the amount of Support at Home funding available for that quarter. Your individualised budget is the practical breakdown of how those funds, plus any contributions, will actually be used across your services. In simple terms, the quarterly budget is the funding amount, while the individualised budget is the spending plan built around it.
What should an individualised budget include?
A complete individualised budget should include:
- funding under your ongoing classification
- any short-term pathway funding, where relevant
- any approved supplements
- any funding through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme
- the price of each budget item
- known costs for assistive technology or home modifications, where relevant
- any participant contribution for each item.
It should also make it clear that the total available budget, including funding and contributions, is enough to cover the total cost of the services being planned.
When is it created?
Your individualised budget should be completed as soon as possible and prepared at the same time as your care plan so the two documents stay aligned. You should then receive a copy yourself, or your registered supporter should receive it if you have one.
How does it connect to your care plan?
Your care plan explains:
- your needs, goals, preferences and choices
- the approved services you will receive
- who will deliver them
- when they will happen
- how often they will happen.
Your individualised budget then shows how the money will be used to deliver that support. One document explains the arrangement. The other explains the funding behind it.
What if your funding or services change?
Your individualised budget should not stay fixed if your situation changes.
It should be reviewed if:
- you ask for a review
- service prices change
- your services change
- your contribution rate changes
- your available funding changes, including moving between interim and full funding or being approved for a higher classification.
What happens if you have interim funding?
If you are on interim funding, your individualised budget should reflect that lower temporary funding amount. Once full funding becomes available, it should be reviewed again so more services can be added if appropriate.
What about unspent funds?
If you do not use all of your quarterly budget, some of it can carry over automatically into the next quarter. The carry-over amount is the higher of:
- $1,000
- 10% of your quarterly budget, including supplements.
That is important because your individualised budget still needs to make sense within the actual funds available to you in each quarter.
What about overspends?
Overspends should be avoided.
If an overspend does happen, it cannot be carried into the next quarter. It must either be absorbed by the provider or invoiced to you, but only if that was agreed beforehand.
How this works when arranging support
Once your approved services and budget are clear, it becomes much easier to work out:
- what support can be funded
- what support may need to be paid privately
- how often support can be arranged
- what kind of worker is the right fit for your routine and needs.
If your approved provider agrees, eligible services can be arranged through Careseekers and paid through the platform. You can also arrange private support if you want extra flexibility or support outside the funded arrangement.
What should you check before services start?
Before support begins, it helps to make sure your individualised budget is clear on:
- the funds available to you
- the services being paid for
- the price of each service
- any participant contributions
- whether the total budget covers the planned support
- whether you may want any private support in addition to funded care.
Frequently asked questions
Is an individualised budget the same as a quarterly budget?
No. A quarterly budget is the funding amount for the quarter. An individualised budget shows how that funding will be used to pay for services.
Does my individualised budget need to match my care plan?
Yes. The two documents should be prepared together so they align properly.
What if my service costs change?
Your individualised budget should be reviewed if service prices change.
What if my contribution rate changes?
Your budget should also be reviewed if your contribution rate changes.
Can my individualised budget change if I move from interim funding to full funding?
Yes. It should be updated so it reflects the new funding available and any additional services.
Can I arrange support once my individualised budget is in place?
Yes. Once your approved services and budget are clear, you can move ahead with arranging support that fits your needs and routine. Eligible services can be funded where your provider agrees, and private support can also be arranged if needed.
Ready to arrange support more clearly?
Once your approved services and budget are clear, it is much easier to compare workers, organise support and choose care that fits your needs and routine.
Read: What Does a Support at Home Care Plan Include?
Read: What Is a Notice of Decision Under Support at Home?
Read: What is the Difference Between Home Care Packages and Support at Home?
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