NDIS and Aged Care Provider Sydney • Melbourne • Canberra • Perth

1300 157 715
Referral Form
1300 157 715
Referral Form
Glow Health Care Australia (GHCA) Glow Health Care Australia (GHCA)
Home Care Services

Meals Preparation

Help in the kitchen, meals the way you like them

Meal preparation for elderly people at home in Sydney is one of the ways Glow Health Care Australia helps older Australians stay independent, from planning and shopping lists to cooking together, and we can help you arrange delivered meals. Support can be arranged through Support at Home, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, DVA programs or private funding.

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My Aged Care Approved Provider Support at Home Private Home Care
Older woman preparing food in her kitchen with meals preparation support
About Meals Support

What Is Meal Preparation Support?

Meal preparation support helps you keep eating meals you enjoy when cooking has become harder. A support worker can help with tasks like peeling and chopping vegetables, using kitchen equipment, cooking and cleaning up, or prepare meals with you for the days ahead.

Under the Australian Government’s aged care programs, the meals service can include help to prepare meals at home, delivered meals and meals adapted for special diets, such as swallowing difficulties or religious and cultural needs. You can read the official description on the My Aged Care website.

At Glow Health Care Australia we cook to your tastes, routines and cultural traditions, and we can help you arrange delivered meals if that suits you better.
Older woman preparing a salad in the kitchen
What's Included

How We Can Help With Meals

Support is built around what you like to eat and how you like to do things. Your assessment and care plan set out the meals support you are approved for.

01

Cooking at Home

Preparing and cooking meals in your kitchen, or cooking alongside you.

Cooking
02

Help With Kitchen Tasks

Peeling, chopping, opening packaging and using kitchen equipment.

Prep
03

Meals for the Days Ahead

Preparing and labelling meals to store in the fridge or freezer.

Planning
04

Adapted Meals

Meals adapted for swallowing difficulties, health advice, or religious and cultural needs.

Special Diets
05

Arranging Delivered Meals

Help to arrange pre prepared or delivered meals if that suits you better.

Delivered
06

Cleaning Up

Washing dishes and wiping down the kitchen after meals.

Tidy Up
Two older people preparing vegetables together in a kitchen
Good to Know

What Meals Support Does Not Include

Some food costs are your own expenses. Our team can explain what is covered.

The Cost of Ingredients

You pay for your groceries and ingredients.

Takeaway Food

Takeaway food delivery is not part of the meals service.

Meals for Others

Meal delivery for other people living in your home is not covered.

Dietary Advice

Dietary assessment and advice come from a dietitian or your GP, not a support worker.

Who It's For

Who Can Access Meals Support?

Support at Home Consumers

Older people assessed through My Aged Care with meals approved in their support plan.

Entry Level Home Support

People who need a lower level of help, through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme.

Veterans and DVA Card Holders

Veteran Gold Card and eligible White Card holders, where meal preparation is included in Veterans' Home Care.

People Finding Cooking Harder

Anyone who finds it harder to shop, stand, chop or cook on their own.

Funding Options

How Meals Support Is Funded

Meals support can be funded in different ways. The right option depends on your assessment, your eligibility and your preferences.

Government subsidised

Support at Home

Meals is an everyday living service under Support at Home and is paid from your quarterly budget.

  • Meals must be approved in your support plan
  • You need available funds in your quarterly budget
  • Everyday living services have the highest contribution rates
  • You still pay for your ingredients

If you had a Home Care Package, or were assessed as eligible for one, on 12 September 2024, you will not pay more than under the old arrangements.

Costs and Payments
DVA funded

DVA Veterans' Home Care

Meal preparation is part of domestic assistance under DVA's Veterans' Home Care program for eligible card holders.

  • Arrange an assessment on 1300 550 450
  • Copayment of $5 an hour, up to $5 a week for domestic assistance
  • Hours are based on your assessed needs

You pay for your own groceries.

DVA Services
Privately funded

Private Home Care

Pay privately for meal preparation, on its own or alongside government funded services.

  • Support while you wait for government funding
  • Extra visits on top of your funded services
  • Fees set out in your service agreement before you start

Talk to us about current private rates and availability.

Enquire Now
Service and funding details are based on information from My Aged Care, the Support at Home program handbook service list and DVA Veterans’ Home Care as at November 2026. Eligibility and approved services are decided through your assessment.
Getting Started

How to Start Meals Support With GHCA

1

Check Your Eligibility

Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 for an assessment. Veterans can call the VHC assessment agency on 1300 550 450.

2

Get Your Support Plan

Your assessment sets out the services you are approved for, including meals.

3

Choose GHCA

Make a referral or call us on 1300 157 715. Tell us about any dietary advice from your GP or dietitian.

4

Plan Your Meals Together

We agree what to cook, when and how, and review as your needs change.

Older woman and a child preparing food at the kitchen bench

Food From Your Own Table

Meals are about more than food. We take time to learn your favourite dishes, family recipes and cultural traditions, and cook in a way that feels like home. Let us know about preferences such as the gender of your support worker, or language needs, and we will work with you to meet them where we can.

Want to talk it through? Call us on 1300 157 715.

Make a Referral

View Costs and Payments Explained →

More Home Care Services

Explore related support and information.

Home Care Services ›
Support at Home Program ›
Home Care Cost and Payments ›
Department of Veterans' Affairs ›
Allied Health Services ›
Meals Preparation

Talk to Us About Help With Meals

Our team can talk through your options and funding. Call 1300 157 715 or send us a referral.

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can’t find what you need? Call us on 1300 157 715.

What does meal preparation support include?

It can include help with kitchen tasks such as peeling and chopping, cooking meals at home, preparing meals for the days ahead, adapted meals for special diets, and help to arrange delivered meals. The exact help depends on your assessed needs and your care plan.

Do I pay for the food?

Yes. The cost of ingredients and groceries is a general expense that you pay for. Takeaway food and meals for other people in your home are also not covered.

Do I pay a contribution under Support at Home?

Usually, yes. Meals is an everyday living service, which has the highest contribution rates under Support at Home. How much you pay depends on your pension status and your means assessment by Services Australia. If you had a Home Care Package, or were assessed as eligible for one, on 12 September 2024, you will not pay more than under the old arrangements. See our Home Care Cost and Payments page for more.

Can you cook for a special diet?

Yes. We can prepare meals adapted for religious and cultural needs, and follow written advice from your GP, dietitian or speech pathologist, such as texture modified meals for swallowing difficulties. Dietary assessment and advice come from those health professionals.

Can veterans receive help with meals?

Meal preparation is part of domestic assistance under DVA's Veterans' Home Care program for Veteran Gold Card and eligible White Card holders. A copayment of $5 an hour applies, up to $5 a week for domestic assistance. Call the VHC assessment agency on 1300 550 450 to arrange an assessment.

How do I get started?

For government funded aged care, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to arrange an assessment. Once approved, you can choose Glow Health Care Australia as your provider. You can also call us on 1300 157 715 or make a referral online and we will help you with the next steps.

I am an NDIS participant. Is this the right page?

This page covers meal support for older people through aged care and DVA programs. If you are an NDIS participant, see our Assistance with Daily Life page.