Community Care

What Services Do We Provide?

Domestic Assistance

Provides clients with assistance with domestic chores to maintain their capacity to manage everyday activities in a safe, secure and healthy home environment. Domestic Assistance services may include general house cleaning, linen services, unaccompanied shopping (delivered to home), bill paying (unaccompanied), clothes washing and ironing, dishwashing, and help with meal preparation.

Personal Care

Provides clients with support in activities of daily living that help to maintain appropriate standards of hygiene and grooming. Personal care provides assistance with activities of daily living self-care tasks such as assistance with eating, bathing, toileting, dressing, grooming, getting in and out of bed, moving about the house, and assistance with your self-administration of medicine.

Meals

Provides clients with access to meals. The Meals service type refers to meals prepared and delivered to your home or meals provided at a centre or other setting.

Home & Yard Maintenance

Provides clients with maintaining their home and yard in a safe and habitable condition. Maintenance services provided must be linked to assisting clients to maintain their independence, safety, accessibility and health and wellbeing within the home environment. This includes home and yard maintenance and repairs that mitigate or remove identified risks to a client’s health and safety, and services targeted at maintaining a home environment.

Social Support Individual

Provides clients with support to meet the client’s need for social contact and/or assistance to participate in community life. Service may be within home environment or while accessing community services or facilities. Services may include visiting services, telephone and web-based monitoring, accompanied activities (e.g., assisting you through accompanied shopping, bill-paying, attendance at appointments and other related activities).

Nursing Care

Provides clients with treatment and monitoring of medically diagnosed clinical conditions to support clients to remain living at home.

Social Support Group

Provides clients with support to participate in community life and feel socially included through structured, group-based activities that develop, maintain or support independent living and social interaction.

Goods, Equipment and Assistive Technology (GEAT) / Aids & Equipment

Provides clients with access to goods, equipment, or assistive technology, which enables the client to perform tasks they would otherwise be unable to do. These can be provided through loan or purchase options.

Home Modifications

Provides clients with home modifications that increase or maintain levels of independence, safety, accessibility and wellbeing.

Transport

Provides clients with access to transport services that supports their access to the community.

How Much Do Services Cost?

Some services require a client contribution fee. Our Client Contributions and Fees can be found HERE.(PDF, 1MB)

If you are unable to pay your contribution fee, you will not be refused services. All clients are eligible to seek financial hardship assistance with their fees. To apply for financial hardship assistance, clients or their representatives will need to complete a financial hardship application form and submit it to the Community Care Team Leader.

Links & Key Information

Flinders Shire Council Community Care

• 34 Gray Street, HUGHENDEN QLD 4821
• Ph: (07) 4741 2960
• After hours: (07) 4741 2960
• Fax: (07) 4741 2964
• Email: communitycare@flinders.qld.gov.au

Aged Care Quality & Safeguards Commission

• Ph: 1800 951 822
• Web: www.agedcarequality.gov.au

Translation and Interpretive Service (TIS)

• Web: www.tisnational.gov.au

Carers Gateway

• Ph: 1800 422 737
• Web: www.carergateway.gov.au

Veterans Home Care

• Ph: 1300 550 450
• Web: www.dva.gov.au

Queensland Community Support Scheme (QCSS)

• Ph: 1800 600 300
• Web: www.serviceavailabilityregister.com.au

Flinders Shire Council Head Office

• 34 Gray Street, HUGHENDEN QLD 4821
• Ph: (07) 4741 2900
• Fax: (07) 4741 1741
• Email: flinders@flinders.qld.gov.au

Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN)

• Ph: 1800 700 600
• Web: www.opan.org.au

Dementia Australia

• Ph: 1800 100 500
• Web: www.dementia.org.au

My Aged Care

• Ph: 1800 200 422
• Web: www.myagedcare.gov.au

National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIS)

• Ph: 1800 800 110
• Web: www.ndis.gov.au

Helping vulnerable older people access services they need

Support and connection for vulnerable older people

We know that aged care services can be difficult to navigate and understand, particularly for older people who are vulnerable and at risk of falling through the cracks.

The care finder program is a new initiative designed to provide additional support to connect and engage vulnerable older people so that they can access My Aged Care and other essential services.

The program is part of a national network of care finder services, with Flinders Shire Council’s care finder program servicing the Flinders and Richmond Shire Council areas.

The care finder program assists those who are eligible for government-funded aged care services and require intensive support to interact with My Aged Care, access aged care services and connect with other community supports. This includes people who already receive aged care services or other relevant supports.

To be eligible for aged care services, people must:

• Need help with one or more everyday tasks
• Be aged:
  • 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) or
  • 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) and on low income and homeless, or at risk of being homeless.

Who is the program for?

The care finder program is not for everyone. It focuses on older people who face significant barriers navigating the aged care system due to:

• communication barriers, including limited literacy skills
• difficulty processing information to make decisions
• reluctance to engage with aged care services for any reason
• they are uncomfortable engaging with aged care, institutions or the government due to past discrimination and/or trauma
• they are vulnerable or isolated with need for support

The care finder program supports people who don’t have family, friends, a carer or a representative they are comfortable receiving help from and who is willing and able to help them access aged care services and supports.

What help can the care finder program provide?

The care finder program can help people understand what aged care services are available and access other supports in the community.

The program will provide this support by meeting with the person – this can be at their home or another place they choose – and asking questions to understand their situation.

The care finder program can help with accessing services for the first time as well as changing or finding new services and supports by:

• talking to My Aged Care and arranging an assessment
• attending and providing support during the assessment
• completing forms and helping to understand aged care service agreements
• checking in once services have commenced to ensure everything is running smoothly
• connecting to supports in the community such as health, mental health, housing and homelessness, drug and alcohol services, and community groups.

How to refer?

Individuals may self-refer or have a service provider refer to the program for them. A referral form(PDF, 239KB) will need to be completed.

For more information or to register for the program, please call 0437 943 284 or email communitycare@flinders.qld.gov.au. Business hours are 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

DOWNLOAD

• Care finder referral form(PDF, 239KB)

This service is funded by

The Queensland Community Support Scheme (QCSS) is available for people under 65 years and or under 50 years old for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) with:

• a disability (and are not eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme [NDIS])
• chronic illness, mental health or other condition, or
• other circumstances that impact your ability to live independently in the community.

Funded by the Queensland Government, it’s for people who, with a small amount of assistance, can maintain or regain their independence, continue living safely in their homes and actively participate in their

To apply, you can phone the Queensland Community Support Scheme Access Point on 1800 600 300 or complete the self-registration form here.

After you submit the application a worker from the QCSS Access Point will talk to you about how you are coping with daily living and assess your eligibility and support needs.

The information you provide is then used to determine your eligibility, and what type of service you may need in order to stay living at home.

Find out more about QCSS here.

Client contribution fees apply to this program. Click here(PDF, 234KB) to see the 2024-2025 fees and charges.

The Commonwealth Home Support Program provides entry-level support for older people who need some help to stay at home. Our program will work with consumers to maintain their independence and keep them as well as possible.

To check eligibility and to be referred for services prospective clients or their carers need to contact the My Aged Care team on either 1800 200 422 or website www.myagedcare.gov.au

Client contribution fees apply to this program. Click here(PDF, 241KB) to see the 2024-2025 fees and charges.

For more information about the Commonwealth Home Support Program see: www.myagedcare.gov.au/help-at-home/commonwealth-home-support-programme

The new Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Program on 1 November 2025.

The Commonwealth Home Support Program will transition to the new program no earlier than 1 July 2027. The Support at Home program delivers government-funded aged care services to help older people to stay at home for longer.

Support at Home is a program to help older people remain at home as they age by delivering coordinated care and services to meet their assessed ageing related care needs with: 

• 8 classifications to fund ongoing services
• 3 short-term pathways to fund assistive technology and home modifications, restorative care and end-of-life care
• 4 transitioned Home Care Package classifications to provide an equivalent level of funding for those who transitioned to Support at Home
• participant contributions set by government. 

To access the Support at Home program, contact the My Aged Care team on 1800 200 422 or visit the My Aged Care website. 

For more information about Support at Home program, visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website. 

Download the Support at Home Fees and Charges here.(PDF, 126KB)

Veterans' Home Care (VHC) is a DVA program designed to assist entitled persons who need a small amount of practical help to continue living independently in their own homes. Services include Domestic Assistance, Personal Care, Respite Care, and safety-related Home and Garden Maintenance. VHC is not designed to meet complex or high-level care needs.

To access VHC program, contact the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) on www.dva.gov.au or 1300 550 450

Client contribution fees apply to this program, click here(PDF, 717KB) to see fees and charges.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides support for Australians under the age 65 who have a disability that is likely to be permanent and significant with the supports they need to live an ordinary life. The NDIS funds support what are reasonable and necessary for people with disabilities to achieve their goals.

To find out more information, or to refer to the NDIS, visit www.ndis.gov.au

Click here(PDF, 275KB) to see Council's 2024-2025 NDIS fees and charges.

The Community Transport Program supports people who have trouble accessing transport options to get around their local community.

You may have trouble accessing transport because of:

• where you live
• your financial situation
• disability, mental health, or chronic health conditions.

You may be eligible for the program if you:

• are under 65 years of age
• have no or limited access to other transport options, including public or private transport or transport funded through other funded/subsidised schemes
• are an unpaid carer, travelling in your role as a carer
• are not receiving transport services for the same or similar purpose under another government program, for example the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), School Transport Assistance Scheme (STAS), Commonwealth Aged Care Programs (including CHSP and Aged Care Packages), or Queensland Health Patient Transport Services.

To access this service, please contact the Community Care Office on 07 4741 2960 or email communitycare@flinders.qld.gov.au

For more information, visit: www.qld.gov.au/community/getting-support-health-social-issue/community-home-care-services/community-transport-program

Client contribution fees apply to this program, click here(PDF, 234KB) to see fees and charges.

NB: Private fee paying options are also available.

Hammond Court Cottages

Community Care as part of the Flinders Shire Council provides the aged community of the Flinders Shire access to pensioner cottages that are available to be rented. These cottages are one-bedroom units with a full kitchen, bathroom, lounge and small laundry. Two out of the six units have a lockable garage.

Please note, there are currently no vacancies at the Hammond Court Cottages, however please contact the Community Care Office if you wish to be placed on a waitlist.

Hughenden Centre for the Aged

The Hughenden Centre for the Aged, is an independent living accommodation facility, consisting of 12 individual semi self contained units, a separate two bedroom caretaker cottage, communal dining room, a recreational hall with state of the art audio visual technology, an industrial kitchen and beautifully landscaped gardens.

All units are equipped with a microwave oven, bar fridge, washing machine and television already installed and four of the twelve units come with a wall oven.

The units are designed to cater for residents requiring the next level of care, where they are no longer fully able to look after a large home or garden. They provide a friendly, peaceful and secure environment where freedom and privacy can be enjoyed.

Residents are able to continue their independent lifestyle maintaining social, professional and personal interests with the benefit of full access to all social and recreational activities and facilities within the centre.

Community Accommodation Admittance Criteria

Admittance to the Community Accommodation is based on the Priority Criteria.

• Priority One - applicants eligible for the Age Pension;
• Priority Two - applicants that are seniors (55 years and over) with a disability; and
• Priority Three - applicants that are seniors (55 years and over).

If there are two or more applicants who meet the same Priority Criteria, then selection will be based on need.

Rental Charges

A formal tenancy agreement will be entered into with the resident. Residents are encouraged to apply for rent assistance to further offset costs. A bond is payable of four weeks rent, before moving into the unit. Weekly rental per unit is reviewed annually by Councillors.

See here(PDF, 717KB) for current fees and charges for Community Accommodation.

How To Apply

Applicants must register an Expression of Interest by completing the approved Application Form at the Flinders Shire Council. The Council will maintain a waiting list of applicants. When there is a vacancy, all applicants will be assessed against the Admittance Criteria.

Interesting Facts

The Hughenden Centre for the Aged recognizes over 12 years of hard work by the fundraising committee. Generous community bequests and gifts from individual community members and groups added to the financial commitment by the Flinders Shire Council. The monies raised equalled almost 20% of the total facility costs, which represents the generous spirit and commitment of the community.

The name Hughenden Centre for the Aged reflects the building's location, multi-purpose use and the target population the “Centre” will cater for.

Major benefactors have been recognized with the naming of the “Harry Chivers Recreational Hall” and the “Gordon Hughan Dining Hall”. The three accommodation blocks have been named after local tree species of Gidgee, Boree and Coolibah and will allow for future accommodation blocks to follow this theme.

The Statement of Rights explains the rights of older people when accessing aged care services and promotes safe, quality care.

The Statement of Rights:

• explains what rights older people are entitled to when accessing funded aged care services

• promotes quality and safe care for older persons accessing, or seeking to access, funded aged care services.

It is also a reference for providers and workers so they can take steps to act in a way that promotes older people’s rights when delivering care.

The Statement of Rights includes:

• Independence, choice and control: Older people have the right to independence, autonomy, empowerment, and freedom of choice.
• Equitable access: Older people have the right to a fair and accurate assessment to find out what funded aged care services they need. Assessments for care should be culturally safe, trauma-aware and healing-informed.
• Safety and quality: Older people have the right to quality and safe funded aged care services. 
• Privacy:  Providers and anyone working in the aged care system must respect and protect older people’s privacy and access to their information.
• Communication and feedback: Communications should be person-centric – putting the older person first.
• Support, advocacy and connection: Older people have the right to stay connected with people that are important to them, such as family, friends and carers. Older people may also need support to understand their rights, make decisions or make a complaint. They have the right to access and get support from an advocate or someone else they choose. 

For more information about your rights, visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.