What is a Home Care Package?
Home Care Packages are funded by the Australian Government to help older Australians continue living at home safely and independently.
The funding that clients receive through their Home Care Package can be used on a wide range of community services, care services, social, support and well-being services with an approved provider, as well as on some types of equipment and home modification, to enable them to live safely and well at home.
Because everyone has different needs and goals, the way Home Care funding is spent changes from person to person – it’s important that your care plan is individualised and supports you to achieve your well-being goals. Equally, what helps one person live independently and well at home may not work for another.
This article is here to provide guidance and examples of what your Home Care Package can be used to pay for to help you get the most from your approved funding.
*From 1 July 2025, the new aged care Support at Home program will replace the existing Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme. Find out more information here
What can Home Care Package fund be used for?
Clients may use some of their funds for equipment or for modifications to their home to enable them to stay at home (like adding a ramp to access the home). Others might use all of their package funds on home care services.
Equipment and modification requests are always reviewed by both your provider and other health professionals, like your GP, physiotherapist or similar, to ensure that the outcome will support your goals. It’s also important to regularly check what services you can receive from your provider and MyAgedCare as this may change year to year.
For some older adults, the biggest impact on well-being has been achieved through enabling them to continue doing what they love or staying connected to their local area and community. It’s important that whatever the identified solution is, it is developed in partnership between the client and care provider and it meets the identified needs that are documented in the care plan.
Who is eligible for home care packages?
Home care packages are available to older Australians, wishing to receive additional support from an aged care provider that will allow them to continue living at home safely and independently. The amount of funding you receive will depend on the level of your package. To determine if you are eligible for a home care package, you must first apply for an assessment through MyAgedCare, a portal for government-funded aged care services. The Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) will reach out to you or a loved one to ask questions about your medical history, physical requirements and other needs. In addition, our team are able to provide you with assistance in navigating MyAgedCare and starting the process of getting an assessment done to receive your package level. Once this assessment is complete, you can begin the process of finding an aged care provider to support you with your goals.
Not too sure whether you are eligible for home care services? Contact our team!
Home care package levels
There are four levels of Home Care Package to meet different care and support needs – from level 1 to level 4 – and the level you are approved, will depend on the outcome of your Aged Care Assessment. Each Home Care Package level receives a set amount of funding from the government that can be used to pay for care and support services.
A Level 1 Home Care Package provides a low level of funding, designed to support you with a few hours of care and support per week. A Level 4 Home Care Package is the highest available and is designed to support someone requiring a high level of care and support to stay living at home.
The funding amount provided by the Australian Government for each level of Home Care Packages changes regularly. The latest rates can be found through MyAgedCare.
Ernie’s story – using a Home Care Package to stay connected
Ernie lives independently at home and is supported by a Home Care Package. He’s normally fairly active but his Care Coordinator, Rebecca, noticed that he’d been staying home at lot and wasn’t going out to the shops like he used to. This was causing Ernie to feel dependent and meant that he wasn’t staying connected with his community and participating in his usual social activities that he loves.
Rebecca and Ernie talked about what being independent meant to Ernie and when she discovered that the cause of his withdrawal was that his mobility scooter was very old, unreliable and kept breaking down. Rebecca started looking at solutions. Being able to get around independently is a key factor for Ernie to continue living at home so, through his Home Care Package, Rebecca was able to organise for a new scooter.
Ernie can now get out and about once again, without having to rely on anyone for transport or assistance. He’s an independent person and having the confidence and means to support himself has made a world of difference to Ernie! This was all achieved through the support of his home care package.
Did you know these services can be provided under a Home Care Package?
- Pet care – Whether it’s taking your furry friends to the vet or groomer, or supporting you in their daily care and walks, our home care packages ensure your pets are well looked after.
- Join your care worker in cooking meals together or explore new recipes, making every meal a delightful experience.
- Enjoy the benefits of attending exercise classes at a gym or aquatic centre, with your care worker there to support and encourage you.
- Take day trips to your favourite places, be it the beach, a park, or any place of significance, with the companionship and assistance of your care worker.
- Spend quality time at the library or enjoy a movie together at the cinema with your care worker by your side.
- Indulge in your passion for gardening safely with the help of your care worker, ensuring you can continue to enjoy your favourite pastime.
What can’t I use my Home Care Package funding to pay for?
While there are a few grey areas of what can and can’t be covered under your Home Care Funding, there are clear guidelines that exclude the following things from being paid for:
- Daily living expenses, such as utilities or groceries, are not covered under your Home Care Package. These are considered personal costs that individuals are responsible for.
- Home Care Package funds cannot be used to pay for your rent or mortgage. These costs are part of your regular household expenses.
- The cost of holidays, including travel and accommodation, is not covered under Home Care Funding as they are considered personal leisure expenses.
- Entertainment activities and gambling are not eligible for Home Care Package funding as they are personal choice expenses.
- Any services or items already covered by Medicare or Pharmaceutical Benefits are not eligible for Home Care Package funding to avoid double-dipping.
- Programs and services already subsidised by the Australian Government are not covered under Home Care Packages to ensure resources are distributed fairly.
