What is a Home Care Package?

What is a Home Care Package?
A Home Care Package is an individual subsidy provided by the Australian Government to help older people continue living independently in their home. There are four different levels of packages and associated funding ranging from basic care needs to high-level care needs.
The Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) allocates a package and funding level by assessing your individual needs. Your home care provider will then work with you to choose and manage services that best meet your needs, whether that’s a helping hand with transport, domestic duties or nursing and personal care.
How Can a Home Care Package Help You?
A Home Care Package allows you to choose from a broad range of services that benefit you the most. Recent changes make it easy to choose your Home Care Package provider and change if you are unsatisfied.
Some of the services you can access include:
• Assistance with cleaning and tidying your home
• Assistance with home and garden maintenance and modifications
• Transport to take you shopping, go to appointments or attend social outings
• Running errands for you such as assisting with shopping or shopping on your behalf
• Helping you cook nutritious meals or doing the cooking for you
• Assistance with personal care such as showering and dressing
• Social support which may include spending time with you or taking you to appointments or social engagements
• Nursing care such as wound care, medication management, continence management and more
Home Care Package funds are designed to support your particular needs, meaning they can be used for products and equipment at home. This includes home modifications like ramps and rails or assistive technology that help you with daily tasks, mobility or communication.
Extra Care Needs
The Australian Government can also offer additional supplements to help you if you have additional specific care needs, such as:
• Dementia and cognition supplement
• Veteran with mental health condition supplement
• Enteral feeding supplement
• Oxygen supplement
How Does Funding Work with the Home Care Package?
The total cost of a Home Care Package is made up of your contribution and the funding allocated to you. The Australian Government pays a different amount for each level of the package, which is paid to the home care provider you choose.
As of November 2018, the subsidy is:
• Level 1: Basic Care Needs – up to $8,250 per year or $158.62 per week
• Level 2: Low Level Care Needs – up to $15,000 per year or $288.54 per week
• Level 3: Intermediate Care Needs – up to $33,000 per year or $634.34 per week
• Level 4: High Level Care Needs – up to $50,250 per year or $964.39 per week
Home care providers can charge a maximum basic daily fee of $10.32 for each person. However, many providers waive these fees.
How to Apply for a Home Care Package
If you believe you are eligible for a Home Care Package, you should get in touch with My Aged Care, who can arrange an assessment with My Aged Care Regional Assessment Service for a home support assessment. If you have more complex care needs, you will meet with someone from an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) for a comprehensive assessment.
Get in Touch
With offices in South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT, Hendercare can help older Australians across the country maintain their independence at home. Get in touch today to find out more about our home care services or how to move your Home Care Package from another provider.