A coordinated package of supports tailored to your individual care needs, enabling you to stay at home longer with choice and control over the support you receive.

What is a Home Care Package (HCP)?

Looking for support to stay at home as you age, where the support comes to you in the comfort of your own home? If you’re looking for a higher level of care and support to enable you to stay living at home for longer, the Home Care Package (HCP) program can help.  

HCP offers a coordinated package of supports tailored to your care needs, enabling you to stay at home longer with choice and control over the support you receive. 

There are four levels of HCP packages to help meet the different levels of care needs, from Level 1 for basic care up to Level 4 for high level care needs.  

Am I eligible? 

You may be eligible for a Home Care Package if you are aged 65 years and over (or 50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and need access to coordinated services to help you stay in your own home. To check your eligibility, visit My Aged Care. 

What does HCP include?

Under your home care package, you could be eligible to receive a wide range of services to support you with the care you need within the comfort of your own home. Services include: 

  • Domestic support

    Support with cleaning and household tasks. 

  • Personal care

    Help with showering, medication, and meal preparation.

  • Home maintenance

    Help with the garden and other household maintenance.

  • Nutrition and meal preparation

    Support with nutrition, meal preparation, and diet.

  • Transport

    Providing transport to appointments and activities.

  • Social support

    Supporting you to maintain social connections.

  • Mobility and adaptive equipment

    Helping you stay safe and comfortable.

  • Nursing care and assessment

    Receive nursing care that comes to you.

  • Allied health therapy

    Including occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and podiatry.

  • Assistive technology and telehealth

    Supporting you to stay connected from home.

  • Respite

    Care for you while your carer has a break.

  • And more...

    There are many other conditional services and products available under HCP to support you.

Home Care Packages (HCP) offer ongoing support for those with more complex care needs.

If you need a small amount of support, the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CSHP) offers entry-level support to help you live independently at home.  

Read more on the differences between CHSP and HCP.

Home Care Package Levels

There are four levels of home care packages to help meet the different levels of care needs. Each level receives a different funding amount. This funding is your annual budget to use towards your care services.  

After you are assessed by my My Aged Care and are found to be eligible for a Home Care Package, you will be allocated one of the following package levels based on your needs:  

  • Level 1

    • Support for people with basic home care needs

    • Typically 1-2 hours of support per week

    • Government subsidy - approximately $10,500 per year*

  • Level 2

    • Support for people with low-level home care needs

    • Typically 3-4 hours of support per week

    • Government subsidy - approximately $18,600 per year*

  • Level 3

    • Support for people with intermediate home care needs

    • Typically 8 - 9 hours of support per week

    • Government subsidy - approximately $40,500 per year*

  • Level 4

    • Support for people with high home care needs

    • Typically 12.5 hours of support per week

    • Government subsidy - approximately $61,400 per year*

* For the latest subsidies and costs please refer to the HCP pricing schedule

How does it work?

To check your eligibility for a Home Care Package: 

Step 1  

Contact the Australian Government’s My Aged Care team to check your eligibility and organise an assessment.  You can do this:

The MyAgedCare website also has an online eligibility checker if you're unsure whether to start the process just yet.

Step 2 

They’ll assess your needs and determine the support you need and the home care package level you’re eligible for. You can find useful information on how to prepare for the assessment on the MyAgedCare website 

Step 3 

You’ll receive a letter with the outcome of your assessment. This will include your unique referral codes, you’ll need to share these with us. You may be placed on a waiting list. 

Step 4 

Call our friendly team on 1800 792 359 to discuss your care needs and how we can support you.  

What will I pay?  

While Home Care Packages are subsidised through the government, you may be asked to pay a contribution towards your package. 

Income Tested Care Fee 

When you receive a Home Care Package, you’ll be asked to complete an income assessment.  

This income assessment is used to work out if you’ll need to pay an income tested care fee. This amount is paid directly to your service provider.  

Not everyone will need to pay an income tested care fee. For example, if you are on a full pension you do not pay an income tested care fee.  

Find out more about income tested care fees.  

Basic Daily Care Fee 

The Basic Daily Care Fee is a daily fee that everyone can be asked to pay towards a Home Care Package. The maximum fee that can be charged is 17.5% of the single person aged pension payment. 

Unlike most providers, we don’t charge the Basic Daily Care Fee unless you need more supports than your approved subsidy can provide. In which case, we may use the Basic Daily Care Fee to top up your package funds. 

Our fees and charges outline some of the common services that you may want to access using your Home Care Package. 

View our current fees and charges 

If you require another service or equipment that's not listed, our friendly team will work with you to find the best possible options. This can include social support, allied health, home maintenance, assistive technology, and other services to suit your needs. 

Thinking about switching home care providers?

Receiving help at home and unsure if you’re getting the services that best meet your needs? It might be worth making the switch. Book a free, no obligation Home Care Service Check today.

1800 792 359

Contact our Aged Care team

Our national Aged Care team is available to assist you to access the care that’s right for you.