About choosing your meal provider
If you have Support at Home funding, you have the right to choose who delivers your services - including ready-made meals.
Some Care Providers may recommend preferred suppliers, but ultimately, it’s your choice. You can order from a local food business you trust and enjoy, even if they’re not currently set up with your Care Provider. As long as the provider meets basic requirements, your Care Provider must make reasonable efforts to accommodate your request.
Choosing your own meal provider allows you to access meals that suit your taste, lifestyle, and dietary or cultural needs.
What the guidelines say
Under the Consumer Directed Care approach and the Charter of Aged Care Rights, you are entitled to:
Choice and independence
Access to services that meet your needs
Participation in decisions about your care
This includes the right to choose your own meal provider.
How to request your preferred meal provider
Make a clear request to your Care Manager or Care Provider. You could say:
“I’d like to use [Food Business Name] as my meal provider. I understand I have the right to choose who delivers my services under the Aged Care Quality Standards.”
We recommend putting your request in writing to create a clear record and help initiate the process.
If you have contact details for the food business, it’s helpful to share these with your Care Provider.
What to do if your request is declined
Ask your Care Provider to put their decision in writing.
They can only decline your request if there is a valid, documented reason—such as safety or quality concerns.
If you feel your rights are being denied, you can:
Consider switching to a different Care Provider
Contact the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) for free support: opan.org.au
Lodge a complaint with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission: agedcarequality.gov.au
Additional information
If you need any assistance, please reach out to our friendly support team. You can call us on (03) 7037 1139 or email [email protected].