Find social support in Bendigo, VIC

Social support visits in Bendigo typically cost $50-$70/hour (group rates available) per hour for individual visits. Group social support, where several clients share time with a worker or activity coordinator, is priced lower per person and is often more cost-effective for regular participation. Group rates typically range from $20 to $35 per person per hour depending on group size and the provider.

For NDIS participants, social support falls under Core Supports as "Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation." Registered providers charge within the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. For aged care clients, social support visits are covered under Home Care Packages and CHSP as "Social Support" or "Social Support Individual."

Rates vary by time of day and day of the week. Standard weekday rates are the base rate. Evening, Saturday, Sunday, and public holiday visits are priced higher. CHSP-funded social support involves a small co-contribution from the client, with the government covering the balance.

Community organisations and volunteer programs sometimes provide social support visits at a reduced cost or no cost to the client. These are worth considering alongside funded providers, particularly for clients who want additional visits beyond what their funding covers.

Social support visits can be funded through several programs in Bendigo depending on your age and eligibility.

NDIS Core Supports: Social support falls under "Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation" (support category 04). Your plan must include funding in this category. The funding covers the worker's time during visits for social activities, outings, and participation. NDIA-managed participants use registered providers. Plan-managed and self-managed participants have more flexibility.

Home Care Package (HCP): Social Support Individual is a named service type under all Home Care Package levels. Your package coordinator includes regular visits in your care plan and pays the provider from your budget. Higher package levels provide more funding for more frequent or longer visits.

Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP): CHSP funds social support visits for older Australians at risk of social isolation. This includes individual visits and group social programs. A My Aged Care referral and Regional Assessment Service assessment is required. You pay a small co-contribution and the government subsidises the rest. Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to check eligibility.

Private payment: Available to any client without waiting periods or funding approvals. Some community organisations and volunteer visiting programs also provide social support at no cost to the client. Ask your local council or aged care provider about what is available in Bendigo.

Social support visits involve a trained and vetted worker spending time with you at home or out in the community for the purpose of social connection, conversation, and engagement. They are different from personal care or domestic assistance, though some providers offer all three as part of a combined service.

Visits are flexible and centred on what is meaningful to you. Common activities include conversation over a cup of tea, help with letter writing or phone calls, shared hobbies, watching television together, outings to a local park, cafe, or community event, or simply having someone present who engages with you attentively. The specific activity matters less than the quality of the interaction.

Most providers will match you with a worker based on shared interests, communication preferences, language, and background. This matching step is important because the value of the service depends on the relationship. If the match does not feel right after a few visits, you can ask the provider to try a different worker.

For group social support, you join a small group for a shared activity or outing. Groups typically have two to five participants and one or two staff. The social dynamic of a group can be beneficial in itself, providing peer connection alongside staff support. Group programs are also more affordable per person than individual visits.

Expect the same worker consistently. Rotating workers make it difficult to build any meaningful connection, which defeats the purpose. Ask providers directly how they handle consistency and cover for leave before signing a service agreement.