What exactly is a Home Care Package?

It’s like having a personalised plan just for you, and guess what? Home Care Packages are government funded! They cover everything from everyday chores like cleaning and cooking to more specialised services like nursing care or therapy. And the best part? The support grows with you, so you can stay at home for as long as possible. You can read more about this on the My Aged Care website here.

Who can apply for a Home Care Package?

To be eligible for a Home Care Package, you must:

• Be over 65 (over 50 for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander) and need help with at least three areas of your life, like getting around, meals, or housework
• Be a permanent resident or an Australian citizen
• Meet the relevant income and asset tests
• Have been assessed by the Australian Government's Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). You will find a step by step guide below.

Are there different types of packages?

There are four levels, depending on how much support you need. They range from Level 1, for basic needs, to Level 4, for more complex care.

How much does a Home Care Package cost?

What if I only need help in a few areas?

If you need support in less than three areas of life, or if you're waiting for your Home Care Package, you can get some basic subsidised home support from the Commonwealth Home Support Program. (You can see more information about CHSP here)

So…Here's what you need to do:

Step 1 - Apply for an Assessment:
If you're an older Australian needing government-funded aged care services, start with My Aged Care. You can apply online or give them a call at 1800 200 422

• Online link: Apply-online
• Contact Details: Contact-us

Step 2 – Assessment:
Within a few weeks, a representative from My Aged Care will visit you at home to talk about what kind of help you need. It's all about understanding your unique situation. A family member, friend or carer can be with you during your assessment.

Step 3 – Wait time:
If you are eligible, you will receive an approval for a Home Care Package. You will then be placed on a national priority list for funding. The speed at which someone receives a Home Care Package can be influenced by how urgently they require assistance. It can take from one month up to 9 months. The below is an estimate of the average wait times, from the My Aged Care website.

Step 4 – Confirmation:
Once you have been approved for a Home Care Package, you can start looking for a provider. You will need to decide whether you want a provider to fully manage your funding and organise your services for you (we call this full management), or if you would like a hand in choosing your own supports and managing your own budget. If so, you can reach out to us at PlanCare. Our goal is to enable Australians to make the most of their funding. With the advancement in technology, providing top class support is now possible at a more affordable cost, giving you more choice and control.