Client requirements
STRC providers must ensure all clients:
- are eligible for the STRC Programme
- have appropriate access to therapy, care and equipment
- receive regular monitoring and evaluation.
See the full requirements on delivering STRC services in Chapter 3 of the manual.
STRC services settings
You can provide flexible care services in a client’s home, an aged care home or both.
You are responsible for transitioning STRC clients between residential and home care settings if their needs change. The client may also leave the STRC Programme at any time.
See a full list of services and your service responsibilities in Chapter 6 of the manual.
Services in a residential care setting
Permanent aged care home residents cannot access STRC, but STRC clients can temporarily move into an aged care home to access services. This could be for part or all of their STRC episode.
Clients receiving STRC services in a residential aged care setting can access:
- hotel-type services – services such as catering, cleaning and gardening
- care and support services – help with personal hygiene, moving around and clinical care.
If you are approved to provide residential-based STRC services, you must ensure they reflect the intent of the STRC Programme. This includes supporting clients to be as independent as possible, to minimise their future care needs.
Fees may apply for certain services in a residential setting. Read about which services you can ask clients to pay a fee for.
Services in a home care setting
STRC services can support senior Australians with complex care needs to live independently in their own homes.
If a client is living at home, you can provide:
- personal care – such as help with showering and hygiene
- communication support – such as help with using the phone or hearing aids
- dietary support – such as help with nutrition and preparing meals
- skin care – such as bandages and dressings
- continence care – such as disposable pads, commode chairs and bedpans
- mobility support – such as crutches, handrails, wheelchairs and bed rails
- support services – such as cleaning, gardening and minor home modifications
- social support – such as help to take part in social activities and access emergency services
- care management – such as reviewing agreements and making sure services are suitable
- clinical care – such as nursing, podiatry, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and optometry and hearing services.
Services in a combination of both settings
Providers delivering in both settings can determine the mix of care they provide. This must be within the defined episode of STRC support and in line with individual client needs.
Services that cannot be provided through STRC
You cannot use STRC funds to provide:
- general income for the client
- food, except for enteral feeding
- permanent accommodation, including help with home purchase, mortgage payments or rent
- flexible care fees
- other types of care funded or jointly funded by the Australian Government
- major home modifications or renovations
- capital items that are not related to the client’s care needs
- travel and accommodation for holidays
- entertainment activities
- Gambling activities
- services and items covered by the Medicare Benefits Schedule or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Suspending services
Clients can take up to 7 days leave, for any reason (except for entering residential respite care), from their STRC episode.
Hospital visits
If a client goes to hospital for a day procedure or for an overnight stay, you must provide STRC services up to the point of admission and from the point of discharge.
There is no break in the service episode or the payment of the flexible care subsidy.
If a STRC client is admitted to hospital for:
- up to 7 days, they can return to the STRC episode once discharged
- longer than 7 days, they can’t return to the STRC episode once discharged.
Changing services
If clients feel they need different services while they are receiving STRC services, they should:
- include other types of services that could meet their needs in their care plan
- talk to you about changing their care plan to meet their needs.
What you need to do
Add your details to My Aged Care to let senior Australians know who you are and the services you provide.
You must include your services in flexible care agreements.
Read more about delivering STRC services in chapter 3.10 of the manual.