Looking for an Aged Care Consultant to Guide You Through Aged Care Services?
Feeling overwhelmed by the aged care system? Curious about your eligibility? I can empower you and your loved ones to access the best care possible.
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Families Helped
★★★★★
25+ 5 Star Reviews
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Community Impacts
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Students on rights-based care
What I help with
When someone you love needs more support, knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming. As an aged care consultant, I can help you understand your options, navigate Australia’s aged care system and find the right care for your family’s unique circumstances. Whether you’re planning ahead or responding to a recent hospital stay, fall or diagnosis, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Aged care navigation with sunbird
I’ll help you get the right care for your family
When your parents reach an age where they need help, it can put your life on hold.
Your priority is getting them the care they need, but Australia’s aged care system is complex, time-consuming and confusing to navigate. Trying to manage this while fulfilling your own life commitments is stressful and emotionally exhausting.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
I can make sure your loved ones receive all the care they’re entitled to.
1. Connect
Connect with Sunbird to begin your journey.
It all starts with a phone call where I will meet you where you’re at and discover the best options for you and your circumstances.
2. Consider
Carefully consider all the options for your loved ones.
I help you navigate the aged care system with clarity so that you become an advocate for your family. You get expert advice every step of the way.
3. Care
Choose the most suitable route for your family with confidence.
With the right advice and support, you can move forward knowing you’ve explored every option and found the best care for your family’s needs.
What Families Say
REal Families, REal Outcomes
Hi, I’m Michelle, an independent aged care consultant
Understanding The Burden
I’m an independent aged care consultant who helps families understand the system, access the support they’re entitled to and find the care that’s right for them.
I’ve worked with plenty of families who were convinced they wouldn’t qualify for aged care help, only to find out they were eligible for support they didn’t even know existed.
I understand first-hand the worry that can be associated with finding the right aged care. Getting the right support in place isn’t easy, and the wrong decisions can come at a high cost, both financially and emotionally. I’m here to walk you through it.
Support you can trust
My service is not aligned with any provider – I am totally independent, and only interested in finding the best outcome for your family. Your parents or loved ones deserve to get the best care possible, and with my help, you will make that happen. My role can be as light or as hands-on as needed, ranging from advice and coaching through to managing whole processes on behalf of your family.
“Michelle’s empathy, support, and extensive knowledge of the Aged Care system exceeded our expectations.” Desley, Gordonvale
HOW I HELP
I provide guidance and support so that you can make informed decisions around the care of your loved ones.
Common Questions
How do I find quality home care services near me?
A good starting point is the “Help at home” provider search on the My Aged Care website. You can select the services you need and enter your postcode, and the site will generate a list of registered providers operating in your area.
While the information available for home care providers is not currently as detailed as it is for residential aged care homes, you can still review useful information by clicking “show details” on each provider. This section includes things like complaint history and basic financial information, which can help you compare providers.
What is an aged care consultant?
An aged care consultant is someone who helps you to understand and navigate Australia’s complex aged care system. Unlike aged care providers, I don’t deliver care services or receive commissions for recommending providers. I provide personalised guidance to help you understand your options, access government-funded support, compare home care providers or aged care homes, prepare for assessments and make informed decisions that are right for your family. I’ll also help to make sure that your loved ones receive all the care they are entitled to.
I doubt I’m entitled to anything, so why should I apply?
I hear this all the time. The reality is, you don’t know what you might qualify for until you’ve been assessed. Even if you don’t need much help right now, getting started early can make life much easier down the track if things change.
I registered with My Aged Care ages ago, but nobody ever contacted me. Does that mean I'm not eligible?
No, not at all. Sometimes people wait much longer than they expected. Sometimes paperwork gets stuck, details need updating, or a referral simply hasn’t moved as quickly as it should have. I’ve helped families who thought they’d reached the end of the road, only to discover they just needed someone to help work out what had happened. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth following up, it probably is. I can help you figure out where things are up to and what the next step might be.
How much does home support cost?
The amount you’ll pay is based on a few things, including:
- The level of support you’re approved for
- The provider you choose
- How much you can afford
You can use the cost estimator on the My Aged Care website to get an idea of what your costs might be here: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/working-out-your-costs
If you need a hand, I’m always happy to help you make sense of things and determine your budget and costs.
If I register with My Aged Care, can they make me leave my home?
No. This is something people worry about far more often than you might think. Accessing My Aged Care doesn’t mean anyone can make decisions for you. In fact, for many people, the whole purpose of getting support is to help them stay in their own home safely for as long as possible. Registering and being assessed for aged care doesn’t commit you to accepting services, and it certainly doesn’t mean you’ll be forced into residential care. It simply opens the door to support if and when you decide you want it.
How do I compare residential aged care facilities in my area?
The best place to start is “Aged care home” provider search on the My Aged Care website, where you can see all residential aged care homes in your chosen area.
Click on “show details” for each home to review more information. Some of the most useful things to compare include star ratings, compliance history, financial information, and room prices.
How do I apply for government funding for aged care?
To access government-funded aged care services, you first need to register with My Aged Care, the Australian Government’s entry point to the aged care system.
The easiest and quickest way to do this is to call 1800 200 422. When you call, have your Medicare card ready. My Aged Care will refer your details to an assessment organisation, who will contact you to arrange a time to meet with you.
From the moment you first speak with the My Aged Care team, they will be asking questions to determine your priority in the system. It is important to be honest about any difficulties you are experiencing in daily life, as this can affect how quickly you receive an assessment and the level of support you may be approved for.
Are you a registered provider?
No. I am an independent aged care consultant, not a registered aged care provider. That means I don’t deliver home care or residential aged care services myself. Instead, I help you understand your options, navigate the aged care system, and choose the support that best suits your family’s needs.
Are you affiliated with a particular aged care provider?
No, I’m completely independent and am not affiliated with any aged care provider. I don’t receive commissions, referral fees or incentives for recommending one provider over another. My role is to work for you, so my recommendations are based solely on what’s right for your loved one, your circumstances and your goals. Whether you’re looking for support at home, respite care or residential aged care, I’ll help you compare your options and find the right fit.
My loved one wants to remain living at home. Can you help?
Yes, I can help your loved ones to access all the care and support they need to continue living safely and independently at home, for as long as possible.
What are the different types of aged care services available?
Government-funded aged care services in Australia generally fall into three main categories.
Support to remain independent at home
Home care provides services, equipment, and small home modifications to help people remain safe and independent in their own home (eg. cleaning, gardening, personal care, laundry, medication support, allied health services, and basic home maintenance).
Support to stay active in the community
Some services focus on helping people remain connected to their community and maintain independence outside the home (eg. transport to appointments, help with shopping or errands, and support to attend social or community activities).
Residential respite and residential aged care
Residential respite is a short stay in an aged care home, often used after illness or to give a carer a temporary break. Residential aged care is when someone moves permanently into a care home where 24-hour support is available.
People often make aged care decisions in a crisis and end up short-changed by the system.
Ready to get some clarity?
A free 15-minute call cuts through months of confusion. No obligation, no sales pitch. Just a real conversation with an aged care consultant who’s been through it.