Who is eligible for a Home Care Package?

Jan 1, 2025 | HOME CARE

Could you or your loved one be eligible for a government subsidised Home Care Package? Here’s everything you need to know:

Would the support of home care services help you, or your loved one to keep living comfortably at home?

Home care services help thousands of senior Australians to remain in their own home for as long as possible. The Australian Government funds Home Care Packages so that all older Australians can access affordable care services.

This article outlines how Home Care Packages work, and who is eligible for a Home Care Package in Australia.

What is a Home Care Package?

Eligible older Australians can access home care services via government-funded Home Care Packages.

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 can a Home Care Package pay for?

More than 285,000 government funded Home Care Packages are currently available for senior Australians.

Home Care Packages can pay for services including:

Bathing, hygiene and grooming
Nursing and medical care
Podiatry, physiotherapy and other therapies
Meals and food preparation
Help with impairments or continence
Cleaning, laundry and other chores
Home or garden maintenance
Changes to the home such as stair lifts or bathroom safety rail
Aids to stay independent
Transport
Social outings, groups and visitors

What is NOT covered by a Home Care Package?

Items that would normally be purchased out of general income
Buying food, except as part of enteral feeding requirements
Payment for permanent accommodation, including assistance with home purchase, mortgage payments or rent
Payment of home care fees
Fees or charges for other types of care funded or jointly funded by the Australian Government
Home modifications or assets that are not related to your care needs
Travel and accommodation for holidays
The cost of entertainment activities, such as club memberships and tickets to sporting events
Gambling activities
Payment for services and items covered by the Medicare Benefits Schedule or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

Read more about what a Home Care Package can pay for:

What can my home care package funds be used for? (agedcaredecisions.com.au)

Who is eligible for a Home Care Package?

To be eligible for a Home Care Package, you must be aged 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people). If you are a younger person with a disability, dementia or other care needs not met through other specialist services, you may also qualify for a Home Care Package.

From there, eligibility is 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. This handy tool asks questions about mobility and independence (such as being able to get dressed, prepare and eat meals). It also includes questions about who else is providing support at home, e.g., a friend or family member. Recent events (such as a fall or trip to hospital) are covered in the eligibility checker, as is the emotional/mental state of the individual.

If you are deemed eligible to apply for a Home Care Package, you will then be asked to share details including a Medicare number, and to create a My Aged Care record.

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How do you apply for a Home Care Package?

If the eligibility checker indicates that you may qualify for a Home Care Package, the next step is to apply for an in-person assessment. (ACAT Assessment)

Government organisation My Aged Care coordinates ACAT Assessments. These assessments are used to evaluate the care needs of individuals and determine who can access government subsidised aged care services. In Victoria the term used is ACAS, or Aged Care Assessment Service.

You can organise an assessment online here: Apply for an aged care assessment | My Aged Care or by calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.

You can also be referred for an ACAT assessment by a doctor or other health professional.

Read more about applying for an ACAT assessment: How to apply for an assessment | My Aged Care

ACAT Assessment Guide – everything you need to know (agedcaredecisions.com.au)

What are the four levels of Home Care Packages?

Home Care Packages sit across four different levels, reflecting the level of care needed by the recipient:

Level 1 Home Care Packages: Basic needs can be covered with a few carer visits per week.
Level 2 Home Care Packages: Level two provides a slightly higher level of care with more frequent visits.
Level 3 Home Care Packages: At level 3, carers will visit most days of the week and provide high support levels.
Level 4 Home Care Packages: The highest level provides for elderly Australians with high-level needs. At this level, carers will visit seven days a week and will take care of almost everything.

How much will you have to pay for a Home Care Package?

The amount you may need to contribute to the cost of your Home Care package will depend on your level of income, cash and assets.

This is determined by an income assessment that must be completed via Services Australia/Centrelink.

Read more about the Home Care Package means assessment here: Home Care Package means assessment – Aged care entry requirements for providers – Services Australia

From 20 March 2025, the basic daily fee for each Home Care Package level is:

● Level 1: $11.77
● Level 2: $12.45
● Level 3: $12.80
● Level 4: $13.14

Your means test will determine whether you are required to pay more than this amount. You can also pay extra fees if you choose to access additional services that aren’t part of a standard Home Care Package.

Read more about Home Care Package fees here: Schedule of Fees and Charges for Residential and Home Care (agedcaredecisions.com.au)

How long should you expect to wait for an available Home Care Package?

Each individual’s case will be assessed by priority, with higher-priority cases serviced first. If you or your loved one are starting to consider home care, it is recommended you take action as early as possible.

According to My Aged Care’s website, individuals can expect to wait approximately six to twelve months before being assigned a Home Care Package.

How will I know when my Home Care Package is available?

Around three months before you receive your Home Care Package, you will receive a letter advising you to prepare. This is your cue to find a home care provider if you don’t already have one in mind.

Next, you will receive a letter confirming your package and containing your referral code. At this point, you will have 56 days to enter into a home care package agreement with your provider.

What is a referral code and why do I need it?

Your referral code is a unique reference number allocated to you or your loved one when you apply for a Home Care Package.

You will need to give this code to your chosen provider for them to be able to carry out your services. It allows your provider to view your records and accept your referral.

What is the difference between Commonwealth Home Support Program and Home Care Packages?

When researching home care, you may have also come across the Commonwealth Home Support Package (CHSP) service. The CHSP is similar to a Home Care Package but is far less comprehensive. The CHSP is for elderly Australians who only need one or two basic services to remain comfortably living at home:

Find out more about CHSP here: All about CHSP – the Commonwealth Home Support Program (agedcaredecisions.com.au)

Learn More:

What is the difference between CHSP and home care packages? (agedcaredecisions.com.au)

What is the alternative to home care?

Home care may not be the right choice for you or your loved one. If this is the case, you may want to consider a move into residential aged care.

Visit Australia’s largest independent aged care reviews website at https://agedcarereviews.com.au/ to find helpful reviews of facilities near you.

The Home Care Assessment Process

Before receiving a Home Care Package, you must complete an assessment through My Aged Care, the Australian Government’s aged care entry system. This assessment determines whether you are eligible and which level of support best suits your needs.

Step 1: Registering with My Aged Care

To begin the process, you or a family member can apply online or call My Aged Care at 1800 200 422. You will need to provide:

Basic personal details (name, address, Medicare number).
Health and daily living information, including mobility, medical conditions, and any support you already receive.

Learn more: How to Create & Use Your My Aged Care Online Account | A Simple Guide

Step 2: Initial Screening Call

After registering, a My Aged Care representative will conduct a 15–20-minute phone interview to evaluate your situation. They will ask about:

Your ability to manage daily tasks (e.g., cooking, cleaning, personal care).
Your current support network (family, friends, or carers).
Any health conditions or mobility issues affecting independence.

Depending on your needs, you may be referred for either:

A Regional Assessment Service (RAS) assessment – for entry-level support under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).
An Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessment – for more comprehensive services, including a Home Care Package.

Learn more: What is a Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)

Learn more: Home Care Package vs CHSP – Which one is best for you

Step 3: The Face-to-Face ACAT Assessment

If an ACAT assessment is required, a trained professional (nurse, social worker, or other health specialist) will visit your home to evaluate your care needs. This typically takes 60–90 minutes.

During the assessment, they will:

Review your medical history and current health conditions.
Observe how you manage daily activities, such as dressing, preparing meals, and moving around.
Discuss any current support services you receive.
Assess safety concerns in your home (e.g., fall risks, mobility aids).
Ask about your preferences for staying independent at home.

Tip: Having a family member or carer present can help ensure all concerns are covered.

Learn more: How to prepare for an ACAT assessment

Step 4: Receiving Your Assessment Outcome

After the assessment, ACAT will determine whether you qualify for a Home Care Package and at which level (1–4, based on the level of assistance required). You will receive:

A letter outlining your eligibility and assigned package level.
A unique referral code to access services once funding becomes available.
Estimated waiting times (often 3–12+ months for Level 3–4 packages).

How Long Will I Have to Wait Before Learning If I’m Eligible?

Once your Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessment is completed, you will typically receive a decision within 2 to 6 weeks. However, this timeframe can vary based on:

Assessment demand in your area (some regions may take longer).
The complexity of your needs (cases requiring additional medical review may take more time).

You will receive a letter from My Aged Care confirming whether you are eligible for a Home Care Package (HCP) and, if so, which level (1–4) has been approved.

If you are approved, you will be placed in the National Priority System (NPS), which determines when your Home Care Package funding becomes available. Your position in the queue depends on factors such as care needs, current support levels, and time spent waiting.

The estimated wait times for funding are:

Level 1: Typically 3–6 months
Level 2: Typically 9–12 months

Level 3: Typically 12–18 months

Level 4: Typically 12–24 months

What Can You Do While Waiting?

If you are approved but waiting for funding, you can:

Access interim support through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).
Use private home care services if needed.
Regularly check with My Aged Care for updates on your status.
Request a higher-priority placement if your situation worsens.

What Happens if a Loved one or Myself are Denied a Home Care Package?

Not everyone who applies for a Home Care Package (HCP) is approved. The Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assesses applications based on an individual’s health, mobility, and daily living needs. If your application is denied, understanding why can help you take the next steps.

1. Low Care Needs

One of the most common reasons for rejection is that your care needs are not considered high enough to qualify for a Home Care Package. ACAT may determine that:

You can safely manage daily tasks with minimal assistance.
Your needs can be met through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) instead of a Home Care Package.
You do not yet require long-term, government-funded in-home care.

What to do next: If CHSP is suggested instead, you can access basic services like domestic assistance and social support while reapplying for an HCP later if your needs increase.

2. Incomplete or Inaccurate Information During Assessment

During the ACAT assessment, you need to provide a clear picture of your daily challenges. If you:

Understate difficulties with mobility, personal care, or household tasks,
Do not mention safety risks like falls or medication management issues,
Have a family member or carer providing support but do not explain that this may not be sustainable long-term,

Your application might be denied or assigned a lower package level than needed.

What to do next: Be as honest and detailed as possible about your situation. If your condition worsens, request a reassessment.

3. Already Receiving Sufficient Support from Family or Private Care

If you have a strong support network, ACAT may conclude that your needs are already being met. For example:

A family member helps with cooking, cleaning, or transport.
You privately pay for home care services.
You live in a retirement village with in-built support services.

What to do next: If family support is temporary or private care is becoming unaffordable, explain this to ACAT. You can also reapply when circumstances change.

4. Application Misalignment (Wrong Type of Care Requested)

Sometimes, applicants apply for a Home Care Package when another type of care is more appropriate. You may be referred to:

CHSP for basic support instead of HCP.
Short-term restorative care if recovery is possible.
Residential aged care if staying at home is no longer safe.

What to do next: If you disagree with the recommendation, discuss it with My Aged Care and consider requesting a review or reassessment.

5. Your Application Was Rejected Due to ACAT’s Decision-Making Process

Occasionally, an application is denied because ACAT interprets eligibility criteria differently than expected. Some applicants may feel their level of need was not fully considered.

What to do next: If you believe your case was assessed unfairly:

Request a reassessment if your condition has changed.
Lodge an appeal through My Aged Care.
Seek advice from aged care advocates who can help challenge the decision.

What If Your Home Care Package Application Is Denied?

If you are not approved for a Home Care Package, consider:

Accessing CHSP services for short-term support.
Looking into private home care while waiting to reapply.
Speaking to an aged care specialist to review other funding options.

Many applicants successfully reapply when their circumstances change, so if you are initially denied, it does not mean you will never qualify.

How do I find a Home Care Package provider?

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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.

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