As you grow older, you may find that you need extra support to continue living at home. This is where a Home Care Package can help.
A Home Care Package is a government-funded program that allows older people to receive care services in their own home, so they can live independently for as long as possible. It can be used to receive all kinds of support, such as help with housework, transport to appointments or personal care.
A Home Care Package gives you choice and control over your care. Once you have received a package, you are free to choose a care provider you like, and work with them to create a care plan that best meets your needs. The government then pays that provider a subsidy to deliver services in your home.
At Home Caring, we don’t believe that one size fits all. Our carers always treat you as an individual.
We’re here to partner with you, so you can stay at home for longer and enjoy quality of life.
We offer a wide range of services that care for your health and wellbeing, all available through your package funds.
Our range of services includes:
Yes, you can! If you already receive a Home Care Package from another care provider but want to switch to Home Caring’s aged care services and care team, please get in touch and we’ll help you through the process. We’d be happy to continue your care journey and discuss what kind of support you would like.
Get in touchReceiving aged care services in your own home is much more affordable with a Home Care Package. This is because part of your package costs is subsidised by the government, based on which level you are approved for.
Depending on your financial situation, you may need to contribute a certain amount towards the costs of your Home Care Package. This consists of two types of fees:
a Basic Daily Fee | an amount that everyone can be asked to pay |
an Income Tested Care Fee | an extra amount some people pay if their income is above a certain amount, determined through an income assessment. Full pensioners do not have to pay this fee. |
To estimate how much you may need to contribute towards your Home Care Package, you can use the government’s fee estimator calculator. To discuss how much a Home Care Package might cost you with Home Caring, please get in touch for a free consultation.
The amount of care hours you can access from your Home Care package depends on what level of care you have been approved for. As everyone’s care needs are different, there are four levels of Home Care Packages with different funding amounts, ranging from basic care to complex care.
Levels of funding | Care need | Amount subsidised by the government (at 1 July 2023) |
Support |
---|---|---|---|
Home Care Package Level 1 | Basic care needs | $10,271 a year | Support for day-to-day activities like gardening, housework and meal preparation. |
Home Care Package Level 2 | Low care needs | $18,064 a year | Includes services like personal care, transport, shopping, podiatry and exercise classes. |
Home Care Package Level 3 | Intermediate care needs | $39,311 a year | Includes medication and treatment support, social outings, transport, therapies, home modifications. |
Home Care Package Level 4 | High care needs | $59,594 a year | Includes more hours visiting the client every day, suited to those with chronic conditions such as dementia |
The first step is applying for an assessment with ACAT (the Aged Care Assessment Team). You can do this online, on your own or with a loved one, through the My Aged Care website or by calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. It takes about 20 minutes.
Once you have applied, your local ACAT assessor will contact you to arrange a free face-to-face assessment in your house or apartment. They may talk to you about how you are managing with day-to-day tasks and explain what type of care you might be eligible for. For more information, here’s our article on what to expect from your ACAT assessment.
Once you have been approved, you will receive a letter telling you which level you have been allocated. You will then be placed in a national waiting list and notified when a package is ready for you. You will also receive a referral code for your Home Care Package. Keep it safe! You’ll need to give this code to your care provider when you receive your funding.
Once your package is available, you will receive a confirmation letter with all the details you need. You then have 56 days to choose your care provider. If you would like to use Home Caring, contact us when you get this letter and we can get you started as soon as possible.
We can walk you through the process, especially if English isn’t your native language. Get in touch to find out more.
Get in touchAs Home Care Package providers in Sydney, our professional carers and Registered Nurses provide quality care to meet a wide range of needs. From domestic assistance to personal care and nursing services, we’ll do what we can so you can enjoy a full and independent life in the community.
Whether you need a Home Care Package level 3 in Melbourne or a more basic level of care, Home Caring is here to help. Our professional and dedicated carers deliver personalised support that caters to your individual needs, no matter what level you require. For more information, please get in touch with our customer service team.
Home Caring provides quality Home Care Packages for older people in Brisbane’s suburbs. Whether you need basic care or a more complex Home Care Package level 4, we’ll help you with everyday tasks and provide expert nursing care at home, so you can get on with doing the things you love.
Need a level 3 Home Care Package? Home Caring helps people with high care needs to live independently in the community. With years of experience behind us, we provide quality support that assists with everyday life and helps you live independently for longer.
Home Caring provides Level 4 Home Care Packages in Adelaide, along with more basic levels to help people live safely and comfortably in their own homes. Our highly qualified and experienced staff cater for a wide range of medical conditions, providing 24-hour care and clinical support for those who need it.
Home Caring provides My Aged Care Home Care Packages to help older Australians live as independently as possible. Our personalised approach means you’ll receive care that makes a genuine difference to your life, tailored to your personal needs.
Home Caring provides Home Care Package Level 2 and higher for older people, so you can get help with everyday life. Our experienced care teams deliver flexible, understanding and compassionate care, tailored to your unique needs and lifestyle.
Home Caring Newcastle assists people with aged care in the comfort of their own homes, at all Home Care Package levels. We’ll help with everyday tasks, provide clinical care at home, and assist with things like mobility, transfers, and social support, so you have everything you need to live independently.
Home Caring Sunshine Coast provides aged care Home Care Packages that help you enjoy a safe, happy, and fulfilling life. Our person-centred approach to care means you’ll receive support that is tailored to your needs, personality, and circumstances – at a time that suits you.
Home Caring provides dedicated home care services for seniors living on the beautiful Central Coast. With years of experience behind us, we deliver quality support that makes a genuine difference to your everyday life.
Our dedicated team in Wollongong is committed to providing personalised Home Care Package services tailored to your unique needs. Whether it's assistance with daily tasks, companionship, therapies or specialised care, we’ll help you live comfortably and independently in the comfort of your own home, ensuring peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
Our compassionate team is here to support you with our comprehensive Home Care Package services. Focusing on customer service, dignity and respect, we offer a range of flexible care options to suit your lifestyle. We’ll provide care at a time that suits you, so you’re free to do the things you enjoy, and are in charge of your care plan.
Home Caring is dedicated to delivering exceptional Home Care Package services that cater to clients in the Townsville community. From personalised care plans to quality carers and a wide range of services, we are committed to enhancing your quality of life and enabling you to thrive in the comfort of your own home, so you can do life your way.
Our experienced team provides a wide range of services to support seniors in the Ballarat community who wish to age at home. From personal care to transport, help with the housework, grocery shopping, medication management, wound care, allied health therapies and mobility equipment, we’ll provide the support you need to live life to the full.
Home Caring provides government-funded Home Care Packages in the Bendigo community. Our packages are available at all levels, from basic to high care needs, and are tailored to meet your specific needs. We’ll work with you to create a care plan that suits you, and provide flexible support that makes a genuine difference to everyday life.
Catering to older people in the Rockhampton community, our experienced team offers comprehensive range of services under the Home Care Packages scheme. We use our skills and expertise to ensure your needs are met, so that you have everything you need to embrace life on your terms.
Home Caring Bundaberg provides government-funded Home Care Packages that are personalised to your needs. Our team of local carers and nurses are available to provide personal care, housework assistance, 24/7 support, specialised therapies, meal preparation, and much more. To find out more about our services, please get in touch.
The team at Home Caring Hervey Bay are committed to providing high quality support that makes a difference. We take the time to get to know you, understand your needs, and provide bespoke care that is flexible and adaptable to you
A Home Care Package allows seniors living in Australia to access affordable care services in their own home.
There are 4 Home Care Package levels that you can be eligible to receive, ranging from basic care needs (level 1) through to high care needs (level 4). Once you are approved for a package, you can choose a service provider that best supports your needs and goals. The government then pays that provider a subsidy to deliver services in your home.
To be eligible for a home care package, you must be an older person who needs coordinated services to live independently at home, or a younger person with care needs that are not met through other specialist services.
You will need to apply for a face-to-face aged care assessment using an online application form which you can do yourself, or get a loved one to complete for you.Our aged care experts are more than happy to help you through this process. Please get in touch for a FREE consultation.
Depending on the level you are eligible for, home care package funds can be spent on things that relate to your care and wellbeing. Common services and items people use their funding on are:personal care (e.g. showering, dressing, continence management), domestic chores, shopping assistance, therapies (e.g. physiotherapy, occupational therapy), meal preparation, transportation to appointments, respite care, garden maintenance, medication management, social activities, nursing (e.g. wound management), podiatry, home modifications, assistive technology (e.g. walking frames) and exercise programs.
If you are eligible for a Home Care Package, the government will cover most of the cost of your care. Depending on your income, you will be expected to contribute a certain amount to your provider for your services. This consists of three types of fees: a basic daily fee, an income-tested care fee (full pensioners do not have to pay this), and any additional fees for services that aren’t covered by your package.Each service provider charges a different amount for their services and care.
The CHSP (Commonwealth Home Support Program) is an entry-level program for seniors who are mostly able to live on their own. It provides government-subsidised, low-intensity help to those who only need a small amount of assistance.
On the other hand, a Home Care Package is a coordinated and tailored service that helps older people with complex care needs continue living at home. You can decide how to spend your funds rather than choosing from a menu of services (as is the case with the CHSP).
In general, government subsidised CHSP services should not be provided to people who are receiving a Home Care Package. When you are assigned a package and choose a provider, your CHSP services will cease and services will be paid from your Home Care Package funding instead.
A Home Care Package does not fund the following services: food, payment for permanent accommodation (e.g. rent or mortgage repayments), discretionary spending, day-to-day bills, holidays, entertainment activities and items already covered by Medicare or Pharmaceutical Benefits.
Only government-approved Home Care Package providers can host Home Care Packages for clients. This means they have satisfied the government’s legal and social requirements to administer packages to Australian consumers.
HomeCaring is a Home Care Package and NDIS provider. We can help you get the most out of your funds – get in touch to find out more.
Each level of Home Care Packages provides different funding amounts, depending on the amount of care you need.
At Home Caring, we are here to listen to your needs and explain the options available to support you. Simply share your details, and our team will guide you every step of the way.