Home Care Packages (HCP)
Home Care Packages (HCP) are designed for older Australians who have more complex support needs that go beyond the basic needs addressed by the Commonwealth Home Care Program (CHCP). Individuals with more complex needs are more suited to home care packages, which design a coordinated approach to providing more intense assistance.
On this page
Services
The services provided by the Commonwealth Home Care Program (CHCP) are also included in this package, as well as additional services. This package is organised by the government and your chosen provider. The government pays a subsidy to your chosen provider who will arrange the care package to meet your needs. There are four levels to the Home Care Packages with differing funding amounts and coverage:
Government contributions
| Home Care Package Level | Approx. Yearly Government Contribution |
|---|---|
| Level 1 - Basic care needed | $9,000 |
| Level 2 - Low care needed | $15,750 |
| Level 3 - Intermediate care needed | $34,250 |
| Level 4 - High care needed | $52,000 |
The individual works with the chosen provider to determine how to best spend the package to meet their needs.
Accessing Home Care Packages
To be eligible for a home care package, the individual must be either an older person in need of services to maintain their independence at home, or, a younger individual with a disability, dementia or other care needs that are not met through other tailored services. An online eligibility assessment is required to determine whether the individual meets the criteria for the program, and assess their current situation at home and with every-day tasks. The individual will also have to provide information about themselves, including their Medicare number. A short face-to-face assessment will also be organised with an Aged Care Assessment Team to determine eligibility for the government subsidised program. Once the individual is approved for the program they may begin searching for providers.
Cost
It is expected that individuals will contribute to the cost of the package if possible. There are three different types of fees that may be considered:
Daily fees (of up to $10.75 as of March 2020)
Income tested care fee (of up to $30.86 as of March 2020)
Additional fees
Applying for an assessment:
To access government-funded home-care packages, you must first check your eligibility for a face-to-face assessment. Find out how to do this here (link to assessment page).
What are the services?
Depending on your level of home care needs, the three main categories of service are:
(click on each underlined subheading for more information)
1. Services to keep you well and independent
Personal care
Help you maintain your personal hygiene and grooming standards
Can include help with:
Bathing, toileting, showering
Dressing and undressing
Getting in and out of bed
Washing, drying hair, and shaving
Reminders to take medication
Nursing services
Help you treat and monitor medical conditions at home
Can include:
Wound care and management
Help taking medication
Certain medical tests
General health and other assessments
Allied health
Help you maintain mobility and movement
Can include:
Speech therapy
Podiatry
Occupational or physiotherapy services
Hearing and vision services
Food and nutrition
To help you eat well
Can include:
Help with meal preparation
Help with using utensils
Help with feeding
Meal delivery services
2. Services to keep you safe in your home:
Cleaning
Keep your home clean and liveable
Can include help with:
Making beds
Laundry
Dusting, vacuuming, mopping
Light gardening
Home maintenance and modifications
To increase or maintain your ability to move around the house
Can include:
Installing easy access taps
Installing grab rails in bathroom
Providing advice regarding the safety of your home
Assistive technology
Aids and equipment to help with mobility, communication, reading, and personal care
Can include:
Walking aids
Mechanical devices for lifting you in and out of bed
Bed rails
Aids like slide sheets
Pressure-relieving mattresses
3. Services to keep you connected to your community
Transport
To get you out and about to appointments and community events
Such as assistance with shopping, visiting practitioners, attending social activities
Social support services
To encourage you to take part in community activities and social events that promote your lifestyle, wellbeing and interests
Can include:
Arranging for a visitor to make in-home social calls
Provide a companion to accompany you to appointments and going out
Arranging social activities and providing transport to social events
Help set up phone and internet services to keep in touch with loved ones
A care worker supporting you in your home for a short period of time (e.g., while your carer is away or unavailable)
What is the wait time?
The allocation of packages occurs based on the date of approval and priority of care. For most people the expected wait times are as follows:
| Approved Home Care Package Level | Wait time from letter of approval date |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | 3 – 6 months |
| Level 2 | 12+ months |
| Level 3 | 12+ months |
| Level 4 | 12+ months |
Packages are allocated fairly based on approval date and priority level. Individuals with urgent circumstances will be considered high priority to ensure care is provided quicker. Your assessor determines the level of priority you qualify for and indicates this in your approval letter.
How can I get care sooner?
There are a range of options you can explore if you need care sooner:
Interim packages
An interim package is a home care package of a lower level than you are applying for. This can be provided while waiting for the Home Care Package to be allocated. If you agree to receive an interim package your place will be held in the national system until your approved package is available
| Approved package level | Minimum interim package level available | Expected wait time for interim package |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | No lower package available | N/A |
| Level 2 | Level 1 | 3 – 6 months |
| Level 3 | Level 1 | 3 – 6 months |
| Level 4 | Level 2 | 12+ months |
Commonwealth Home Support Programme*
*Private services**
What should I do while I wait?
While you wait it is advised that you:
Begin searching for providers
Look into and consider the costs of such providers and types of care
Where can I find providers?
Services are provided by a variety of organisations across Australia. To find out what home-care package providers are near you, use our Find a Provider tool (link).
What are the costs?
Each Home Care Package service provider charges are different amount for their services. How much they charge depends on You can use the Find a Provider tool (link) to compare costs across providers.
Being eligible for a Home Care Package means that the government will subsidise the cost of your care. This makes the help you need much more affordable.
Together the Home Care Package is made up of:
Government contributions (subsidy)
Paid directly to the home care provider. Does not affect pension because it is not counted as income
Your contribution (the fees you may be asked to pay)
What fees might I have to pay?
Your contribution can be made up of the following fees: Basic daily fee Income-tested fee
Additional fees
Basic daily fee
A basic daily fee is an amount that everyone can be asked to pay. It is set by the government at a percentage of the single basic age pension.
| Package level | Per cent of the single person rate of basic age pension | Daily fee | Fortnightly fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 15.68 | $9.63 | $134.82 |
| Level 2 | 16.58 | $10.19 | $142.66 |
| Level 3 | 17.05 | $10.48 | $146.72 |
| Level 4 | 17.50 | $10.75 | $150.50 |
Income-tested care fee
The income-tested care fee is an extra contribution that some people pay, as determined through an income assessment. This fee is different for everyone as it’s based on individual income. Full pensioners do not pay an income-tested care fee.
You could pay up to $15.43 per day, if you:
Are single earning over $27,840.80
Are a member of a couple living together earning over $21,606.00
Are a member of a couple living apart due to illness earning over $27,320.80
You could pay between $15.43 - $30.86 if you:
Are single earning over $53,731.60
Are a member of a couple living together earning over $41,121.60
Are a member of a couple living apart due to illness earning over $53,211.60
How do I work out my fees?
You can get an estimate of your fees using our home care fee estimator (link). For the exact fee you will need an income assessment.
https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/assessment-decision-home-care-packages (information for last three questions found here)
How will I know when my package is avaliable?
You will receive a letter informing you to get ready to receive your first package. You’ll receive this letter around 3 months before you receive your first package.
You will then receive another letter confirming you have been assigned a package. This letter will include important information such as your referral code. This referral code is key to receiving services. You have 56 days from the date of your letter to enter into a Home Care Agreement with the provider you have chosen. Failing to do this will result in the package expiring. If you cannot find a provider in this time, call My Aged Care and ask for a 28-day extension.
What if I no longer want my package?
If you have friends or family helping you at home or don’t need you package for another reason, just call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and let them know. This will allow another person to receive their package faster
What can I do if I am not eligible?
Your initial letter will inform you if you are not eligible. The letter will inform you as to why and who can be contacted for help.
