More than 275,000 government funded Home Care Packages are currently available to help senior Australians live at home, rather than enter residential aged care.
This article outlines everything you need to know about Home Care Packages.
What is a Home Care Package?
Home Care Packages provide government funding to help older Australians access home care services.
A set amount of money is allocated to an individual’s Home Care Package as an annual budget. Using this money, home care services are organised and administered by a Home Care Package Provider on the individual’s behalf.
What services will a Home Care Package pay for?
Home Care Package funds can be used to pay for services and products that directly help you to keep living comfortably, and safely, in your home.
Here is a summary of what Home Care Package funs can and cannot cover:
What can my home care package funds be used for? (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
Aged Care Decisions’ FREE aged care matching service can help you find a Home Care Package Provider that suits your specific needs with less stress, less hassle and at zero cost to you.
Here’s how our service works:
How do I get a Home Care Package?
Follow these 5 steps to access government subsidised home care services:
1. Check your eligibility with My Aged Care’s online eligibility checker
Read more here: Who is eligible for a home care package? – Aged Care Decisions
2. Complete an aged care assessment (ACAT assessment) with My Aged Care:
Read more here: ACAT Assessment Guide – everything you need to know (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
3. Complete an income assessment via Services Australia/Centrelink
Read more here: Residential Aged Care means assessment – Aged care entry requirements for providers – Services Australia
4. Have a Home Care Package approved and allocated to you. This can take 3-12 months, depending on 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
5. Find and engage a Home Care Package Provider. The easiest way to do this is connect with Aged Care Decisions and use our FREE comparison service to find available Home Care Providers in your area that specifically match your needs.
How much money do Home Care Packages provide?
Home Care Packages are available across four levels and are allocated at different budget amounts, determined by an individual’s assessed care needs.
Funds are paid directly to a Home Care Package Provider, who will coordinate services on a recipient’s behalf.
As of 1 January 2024, 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 |
Read more here: The support delivered by Home Care Package levels 1-4 (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
Additional supplements may be available for people with certain health conditions.
Read more here: Are you eligible for additional home care supplements? (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
How do I decide which services I receive and what they cost?
Your Home Care Package Provider must work with you to decide on, and organise, which services will best help you. They must adhere to your care plan and ensure sure you have enough funding to cover the cost of the services they organise.
Home Care Package Providers must provide you with a detailed pricing schedule, including administrative costs.
If you are unhappy with your Home Care Package Provider, you can change to a new one without having to pay any fees.
Here’s how: Change home care providers at no cost – Aged Care Decisions
Read more about how to choose a Home Care Package Provider:
How to choose a home care provider – Aged Care Decisions
What if I don’t spend all my Home Care Package budget?
Unspent funds are carried forward to the following month. They are held on your behalf by your Home Care Package Provider until you need them.
Your Home Care Package can be transferred to a new provider if you decide to move, but the funds are not transferrable to another person.
Your Home Care Package Provider should work with you to ensure you are maximising the benefits of your funding allocation.
What will I have to contribute to my Home Care Package?
What you’ll pay towards your Home Care Package will depend on your care needs, your financial situation, and the home care provider you choose.
In addition to the contribution made by the government (your Home Care Package budget), home care services are paid for via:
- 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 test conducted by Centrelink. This fee can be up to $35.95 per day.
- Service and management fees. These are taken out of your package and vary depending on providers.
- Additional service fees. Your home care provider may charge additional fees that they must disclose to you as part of their fee breakdown.
Read more about fees and charges for home care:
Schedule of Fees and Charges for Residential and Home Care (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
Does my Home Care Package get renewed each year?
Once you have been allocated a Home Care Package, it continues for as long as you need home care services.
If your care needs change you can be re-assessed for a higher package level.
Read more here:
When should you apply for a higher level Home Care Package? (agedcaredecisions.com.au)
If you need to have a break from receiving home care services, for example, if you go on holiday or need to spend time in hospital, you can take temporary leave from your Home Care Package.
Read more here:
Temporary leave from Home Care Packages | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Your Home Care Package will cease when you no longer required home care services, or if you move into residential aged care.
Aged Care Decisions helps thousands of Australian families navigate all stages of the aged care journey.
Our custom-built software together with our 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 the running around for you, with less stress and hassle, and at ZERO cost to you.
Contact us now to get started.
