Home Care Package Level 3 | Must Read Guide

Feb 17, 2025 | HOME CARE

Eligible Australian seniors can access Home Care Packages across four levels. The package level a person is approved for and assigned is determined by the results of an ACAT assessment. A Level 3 Home Care Package can fund services and supports to the value of $40,905.55 per year to assist seniors to remain living independently at home for as long as they can.

Level 3 Home Care Packages are suitable for seniors who, based on their care needs, could be eligible for residential aged care, but who choose to keep living at home, with support.

A level 3 Home Care Package can provide a high level of assistance with daily tasks, self-care, and qualified nursing support.

This article outlines who is eligible for a Home Care Package, how to apply, what you can expect to receive if you are allocated a Level 3 Home Care Package, and frequently asked questions about Level 3 Home Care Packages.

Quick Facts:

A level 3 Home Care Package can support you with:

Around 8 hours of support each week
$40,955.55 annual budget to pay for home care service fees and administration fees

Read more: How Home Care Packages Work

Level 3 Home Care Package eligibility criteria

To qualify for a Home Care Package, you must be 65 years+ (or 50 years+ if you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander) and be assessed as needing support to remain living independently at home.

A younger person with a disability, dementia or care needs not met through other specialist services may also be eligible for a Home Care Package.

The quickest way to check your eligibility is by using My Aged Care’s eligibility checker.

What services are included in a Level 3 Home Care Package?

At this level, a carer could visit most days of the week. Carers may have nursing qualifications and be able to perform more complex tasks.

Some examples of what kinds of support a Level 3 Home Care Package can and cannot pay for include:

What a Level 3 Package CAN pay for	What a Level 3 Package CANNOT pay for
Medical care & allied health services	Groceries
Personal care	Rent or mortgage payments
Chores and housekeeping	Day-to-day bills
Garden & home maintenance	Medications
Shopping & meal preparation	Household appliances
Travel support	Electronics
Mobility aids & assistive technology	Entertainment expenses
Home modifications	Home modifications not related to care needs
Social support & companionship	Fees for other government funded care

An example of what a Level 3 Home Care Package might look like

The hours of care a Level 3 Home Care Package delivers per month will depend on the services you need, as well as provider fees. Different providers charge different hourly rates for services.

However, a general estimate based on a $40,905.55 annual budget breaks down as follows:

Example: Meet David

David is 80 and lives on his own. He has diabetes and struggles to cook for himself. He needs to take a variety of medications and supplements but doesn’t always successfully take them on time.

He has been assigned with a Level 3 Home Care Package. His ACAT assessment indicated the types of services he needs to keep living safely and independently at home.

With a budget of $40,905.55 per year, he works with his Home Care Package Provider to integrate the following services into his care plan:

Aged care worker visits five times a week (totaling 20 hours per month):

Mon-Fri: 1-hour visit to monitor medications, check on his wellbeing and provide companionship

Housework assistance twice per week (totaling 12 hours per month):

A domestic assistant helps David keep his house clean, and laundry up to date

Meal delivery service:

David uses a pre-prepared meal delivery service, the cost of which is 70% covered by his Home Care Package

If David’s needs change, he can request that his provider adjusts these services to better suit his care needs.

How do I determine if my care needs qualify for a level 3 Home Care Package?

The Home Care Package level you are assigned with is determined by the results of your ACAT assessment. You don’t get to “choose” a package, and you cannot apply for a specific package level.

You may qualify for a Home Care Package if you need assistance with:

Mobility: help getting out of bed, purchase of a walking frame or installation of handrails
Personal care: bathing, washing your hair, grooming
Housekeeping: cleaning, gardening, laundry
Meals: shopping, meal preparation, home-delivered meals
Transport: taxi vouchers, help to get to appointments and social events
Social support: welfare checks, companionship

How to apply for a Level 3 Home Care Package

An ACAT assessment is the first step you need to take to be assigned with a Level 3 Home Care Package.

You can request an ACAT assessment online: Apply for an aged care assessment | My Aged Care or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.

A doctor or other health professional can also refer you to My Aged Care for an assessment.

During the assessment, a member of the Aged Care Assessment team will interview you, check on your physical and mental health, and discuss what services would best assist you.

The interview is usually held in your home and takes 1-3 hours to complete.

How much funding does a Level 3 Home Care Package provide?

Home Care Packages are funded by the Australian Government. A set dollar amount is allocated each year to pay for home care services that support your assessed care needs.

A Level 3 Home Care Package delivers an annual budget of $40,905.55. This amount covers the cost of home care services plus administrative and management fees.

The budgets allocated at each package level are:

Level 1 – basic care needs	$10,687.20 per year
Level 2 – low care needs	$18,793.85 per year
Level 3 – intermediate care needs	$40,905.55 per year
Level 4 – high care needs	$62,013.50 per year

Costs and out-of-pocket expenses

What you’ll pay out-of-pocket for a Level 3 Home Care Package depends on your care needs, your financial situation, and which Home Care Package Provider you choose to manage the services you receive.

Level 3 Home Care Package fees can include:

A basic daily fee: a set fee of $12.75 per day applies to all Level 1 package recipients, though not all providers charge this fee to their clients.

An income tested fee: an income & assets assessment conducted by Services Australia/Centrelink will determine whether you need to pay this fee, which can be up to $37.55 per day.

You can estimate your income-tested fee here: How much will I pay? | My Aged Care

Service and management fees: These vary depending on your provider and are covered by your package budget.

Additional service fees: some providers charge extra fees for additional services. They must provide a detailed breakdown of fees to you each month as part of their monthly report.

How long does it take until I can get support and what short-term alternatives are available?

The waiting list for a Level 3 Home Care Package can be LONG. My Aged Care currently advises that wait times of up to 6-12 months can be expected.

While you are waiting for a package to be assigned, you can:

Check on your application’s progress by calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or by logging into your My Aged Care Online Account | My Aged Care
Access home care services via the Commonwealth Home Support Program
Hire private home care service providers, which you must pay for in full
Connect with community support and volunteer organisations in your area

How to choose the best Home Care Provider for your needs

A Home Care Provider should help you to make the most of your Level 3 Home Care Package budget by delivering consistently high-quality services, and value for money, so you can maximise the hours of care you receive.

When choosing a provider, key questions you should ask include:

Does the provider have reliable staff that can deliver the services you need?
Will your budget be eaten up by excessive fees?
Do they meet the Aged Care Quality Standards for Australia?
Will you have a dedicated Care Manager?
What checks do they complete to ensure quality of service?

What options do I have if I need more support?

As your care needs change, or increase, you can access more support by:

Reviewing the types of home care services you are receiving
Applying for a higher-level Home Care Package
Switching to a different home care provider that can better meet your needs

If you have specific health conditions, you may be eligible for one or more Home Care Package supplements that can provide additional support.

How Aged Care Decisions can help

We can help you find and compare Home Care Package Providers, with less stress, less running around and at ZERO cost to you.

Our custom-built software takes your care needs, location, budget, and personal preferences, and matches you with appropriate and available Home Care Package Providers.

We will create a tailored Options Report that you can use to start comparing Home Care Providers in your area. When you’ve chosen your favourites, we can organise meetings and assist you to onboard a home care provider you’ll love.

Level 3 Home Care Package FAQs

Can my spouse and I both receive a Home Care Package?

Yes. If you live together and both require home care services, you can both receive a Home Care Package. You need to complete individual assessments and receive your own care plans. However, you can pool your funds when your care needs overlap and share the cost of certain services.

Does my Home Care Package get renewed each year?

Yes. When you are allocated a Home Care Package, it is automatically renewed each year, for as long as you need support at home.

What if I don’t spend all my Home Care Package budget?

Unspent funds are carried forward to the following month. You can “save up” some of your budget to buy big-ticket items such as a mobility scooter or home modifications.

Can I change Home Care Package providers?

Yes. If you are unhappy with your current Home Care Package Provider, it is easy, and free, to switch to a better one. Any unspent funds from your package are transferred to your new provider.

Read more: How to change Home Care Providers