The Australian government funds Home Care Packages for elder care services based on your needs and income levels. The government funds a package of care and services so you can live independently in your own home for as long as possible. You can get one of four levels of support, from entry level care to more complex elderly home care.
Source: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/help-home/home-care-packages/about-home-care-packages?fragment=costs
The government funds each level differently, but the total package will comprise what the Australian government pays as a subsidy and your contribution or what you’re required to pay for support. The government pays your home care provider directly so you need not worry about paying for services other than your personal responsibility.
Here are the thresholds by package level that the Australian government pays for elderly home care. These are the maximum amounts paid each year.
| Home Care Package level | Description of Services | Yearly subsidy |
| 1 | Basic home care services | $8,250 |
| 2 | Low-level home care assistance | $15,000 |
| 3 | Intermediate elder care services | $33,000 |
| 4 | High-level elderly home care | $50,250 |
These maximum subsidies increase each year. Your subsidy is determined by the Aged Care Assessment Team who will evaluate and assess your level of home care services needed.
You may be eligible for a Home Care Package if you’re an older person who needs help to stay independent in your own home. Extra funding is available for those with special care needs like dementia.
What Home Care Packages cover
If you need any of the following home care services, you might be eligible for a Home Care Package:
- Personal assistance with bathing, toileting, dressing, moving around, or communicating.
- Home care assistance with nutrition, meal preparation, and diet.
- Home health care for continence management such as catheters, bedpans, and more.
- Medical services such as speech therapy, occupational or physiotherapy, hearing or vision services, etc.
- Elder care services like transportation to and help with shopping, medical appointments, social activities, etc.
- Home carers’ assistance with wound care such as bandages, dressings, etc.
Final thoughts
To start the assessment and evaluation process for a Home Care Package, simply call My Aged Care. They’ll set up either a basic assessment for entry level support or a comprehensive assessment with a member of the Aged Care Assessment Team if you need more complex support.
