If daily tasks such as grocery shopping, showering, or cleaning have become a bit difficult, you or your loved one may be eligible for a government subsidised Home Care Package.
Let’s look at the out-of-pocket costs you may need to contribute towards a Home Care Package.
How can a Home Care Package support you?
Home Care Packages are funded by the Australian Government to help eligible older Australians access home care services.
Home Care Packages pay for comprehensive home care services across four levels – covering everything from basic household services to higher level nursing and medical support.
Read more: The support delivered by Home Care Package levels 1-4 (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
Each Home Care Package level provides a set amount of money, allocated as an annual budget. Home Care Package Providers use this money, on an individual’s behalf, to organise services to help them live comfortably and independently at home.
Read more: Understanding Home Care Packages and how they work (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
What can Home Care Package funds be used for?
Depending on the Home Care Package level you are assigned, services may include:
- Medical care
- Personal care and grooming
- Home administration
- Chores and housekeeping
- Garden maintenance
- Home maintenance
- Shopping and meal preparation
- Home delivered meals
- Travel support
- Goods, equipment, and assistive technology
- Mobility aids
- Home modifications
- Allied health services
- Dementia care
- Social support and companionship
Read more: What can my home care package funds be used for? (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
What does the Government contribute?
As of 20 September 2023, Home Care Packages offer the following annual support:
| Level 1 – basic care needs | $10,271.10 per year |
| Level 2 – low care needs | $18,063.85 per year |
| Level 3 – intermediate care needs | $39,310.50 per year |
| Level 4 – high care needs | $59,593.55 per year |
Additional supplements may be available for people with certain health conditions.
Read more: Are you eligible for additional home care supplements? (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
What fees do Home Care Package recipients pay?
Applicable fees will depend on your care needs, your financial situation, which level Home Care Package level you are allocated and which Home Care Package Provider you choose to manage the services you receive.
Home Care Package fees can include:
A basic daily fee: This is a set fee paid by everyone who receives a Home Care Package. This fee ranges from $11.43 to $12.75 depending on your package level.
An income tested fee: Whether you pay this fee depends on the results of an income and assets assessment conducted by Services Australia/Centrelink. This fee can be up to $35.95 per day.
Estimate your income tested fee here: Fee estimator: How much will I pay? | My Aged Care
Service and management fees: These are taken out of your package and vary depending on providers.
Additional service fees: Your Home Care Package Provider may charge additional fees that they must disclose to you as part of their fee breakdown.
More about the income and assets assessment
If you do not complete an income assessment, you will be required to pay the maximum fees applicable to your Home Care Package.
An income assessment involves submitting detailed financial information to Services Australia/Centrelink via an 18-page form. The Government uses this information to determine how much you must contribute toward the cost of your Home Care Package.
* If you’re already receiving a means-tested pension – like the aged pension, disability support pension or a DVA income support payment – then you won’t need to fill out any forms. Simply call Centrelink on 1800 227 475 and ask them to start the home care income assessment process for you.
You can get your income and assets assessment started here: Home Care Package Calculation of your cost of care form (SA456) – Services Australia
Read more about Home Care Package fees and charges: Schedule of Fees and Charges for Residential and Home Care (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
Aged Care Decisions helps thousands of Australian families find Home Care Package Providers that suit their needs.
Here’s how our FREE service works:
Our custom-built software, together with our professional Placement Specialists, can match your location, budget, care needs and personal preferences with available providers that suit your specific needs.
Our service is 100% FREE, 100% independent, and 100% personal.
We do all the running around for you, with less stress and hassle, and at ZERO cost to you.
How to apply for a Home Care Package
There are 5 steps to accessing a government subsidised Home Care Package:
1. Check your eligibility
To be eligible for a Home Care Package, an individual must be 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people). A younger person with a disability, dementia or other care needs not met through other specialist services may also qualify for a Home Care Package.
Eligibility is also determined based on health, mobility, and personal circumstances.
The quickest way to check your Home Care Package eligibility is to use My Aged Care’s online eligibility checker.
Read more: Who is eligible for a Home Care Package? – Aged Care Decisions
2. Complete an ACAT assessment
ACAT stands for Aged Care Assessment Team. ACAT assessments are coordinated by Australian government organisation My Aged Care. They are used to evaluate care needs and determine who can access Home Care Packages.
You can organise an assessment online here: Apply for an aged care assessment | My Aged Care or by calling 1800 200 422.
A doctor or other health professional can also refer you to My Aged Care for an assessment.
Read more: ACAT Assessment Guide – everything you need to know (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
3. Complete an income and assets assessment
As outlined above, you must complete an income and assets assessment via Services Australia/Centrelink if you want to avoid paying the maximum fees applicable for your Home Care Package.
4. Have a Home Care Package approved and allocated to you.
The Home Care Package approval and allocation process can take 3-12 months, depending on national demand, and the level of Home Care Package you require. Home Care Packages are allocated on a priority system, which is managed by My Aged Care.
You can check the progress of your application or assessment by logging into your My Aged Care Online Account using myGov or call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
5. Find and engage a Home Care Package Provider.
This is where Aged Care Decisions can help. We are a FREE service that can help you find local, available Home Care Package Providers that suit your unique needs.
We use custom-built software that takes your location, budget, specific care needs and personal preferences, and creates a tailored home care provider Options Report for you. This report narrows your search down to only include available providers that match your needs.
Essentially, we do all the running around for you.
Our service is made available at NO COST to families because providers pay us a set fee – which is the same for every provider. This means our service is 100% free for families and we have no reason to recommend one provider over another.
Our supportive, personalised service is what makes the difference. We love what we do, we support you every step of the way, and our only priority is to find you the Home Care Package Provider that’s best for YOU.
Connect with us now to get started.
