Service explainer
Gardening under Support at Home
Basic garden maintenance is funded under Support at Home for participants whose garden has become a safety risk. It sits in the Everyday Living stream alongside cleaning. The intent is to keep paths clear and the yard safe to walk around, not to landscape or beautify.
What this page covers
- Funded under Everyday Living with a participant contribution
- Covers mowing, edging, basic pruning, and clearing trip hazards
- Does not cover landscaping, tree felling, or new planting
- Typical rate runs 70 to 95 dollars per hour depending on region
What gardening under Support at Home covers
- Lawn mowing and edging
- Hedge trimming and basic pruning of shrubs the participant can no longer manage
- Clearing leaves and debris from paths, driveways and steps
- Removing rubbish bin to the kerb on collection days
What it does not cover
- Landscaping, garden design, or paving
- Tree felling, stump removal, or any work requiring an arborist or licence
- New planting or fertilising
- Lawn and garden equipment purchases
If a major garden risk needs urgent work, ask your care manager about an Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme application. Funding can be requested separately to your quarterly budget when the work is reasonable and necessary.
How frequency is decided
Garden visits are usually fortnightly or monthly. The care plan sets the schedule based on the participant's safety needs and the property size. Higher classifications (Level 4 and above) have more budget to support more frequent visits if the property is large or the garden becomes a falls risk.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my own gardener instead of the provider's?
Not under Support at Home funding. The registered provider arranges and pays the gardener (subcontracted or in-house). You can always pay a private gardener outside the program if you want a particular person.
What about a hoarding situation?
Hoarding clearance is not funded as a gardening service. Some providers can connect you to specialist clean-up services. The first step is a care plan review with your case manager.