What services can I get?

Depending on the level of Home Care Package you receive, you can get assistance with a range of different services.

What else could be included?

Home Care Packages are flexible; there may be other care and services that are suited to your needs. Together with your provider, you will need to work out if a care or service that you need: 

• is directly linked to your identified care needs and goals
• will improve your health and well-being
• is necessary for you to remain living safely and independently in your home
• can be delivered within your Home Care Package budget, and
• would be considered an acceptable use of government funds.

A Home Care Package should not be used for, and does not replace, care and services that can be accessed through other health programs that you might be eligible for. You should continue to access these if and when you need them, through your GP and hospitals.

What services are not included?

There are care and services that you must not use Home Care Package funds for:

• 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
• payment of 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
• 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

Who provides these services?

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.

How does it work?

You choose a service provider that is right for you. The government then pays your provider a subsidy to arrange a package of care services to meet your needs.

As everyone’s care needs are different, there are four levels of Home Care Packages with different funding amounts. These cover basic support needs through to high care needs.

The package level assigned to you is based on your needs. (as of 1st July, 2023)

Link to MyAged Care website for more details.

You work with your chosen provider to identify your care needs and decide how best to spend your package funding. Your service provider coordinates and can manage your services for you on your behalf.

What will it cost me?

You’re expected to contribute to the cost of your care if you can afford it. Your contribution is made up of three types of fees:

1. Basic daily fee (up to $11.26 from 20 March 2022)
   Your provider may ask you to pay a basic daily fee based on your home care package level.

2. Income-tested care fee (up to $32.30 from 20 March 2022)
   Some people may also have to pay an income-tested care fee. Whether you pay it, and how much of it you pay, is determined through a formal income assessment from the Services Australia. If you have to pay this fee, there are annual and lifetime limits on how much you can be asked to pay.
3. Additional fees
   Any other amount you have agreed to pay for extra care and services that wouldn’t otherwise be covered by your Home Care Package. You can read more about the fees, caps, and how to use your package funds on our Home Care Package costs and fees page.To get an estimate of the fees you may be asked to pay, use our fee estimator.

Refer to latest information from MyAgedCare