About home care
Home Care Packages
Home Care Packages are available to help support you or your loved ones to stay at home and maintain your independence.
In 2016, The Australian Government introduced Consumer Directed Care (CDC), which was intended to give Australians who had been granted a government funded Home Care Package the freedom to shop around for a home care provider. This would provide consumers, like you, greater control over who provides you services and when.
In practice; however, comparing and choosing a provider is not easy. There is surprisingly little clear information available about services, fees and quality of care. Considering there are almost 1,000 home care providers in Australia, this lack of information is nothing short of crazy.
Home Care Packages
Level 1
Caters for people with basic care needs
approx.
$8,750
(p/year)
Level 2
Caters for people with low care needs
approx.
$15,500
(p/year)
Level 3
Caters for people with intermediate care needs
approx.
$34,000
(p/year)
Level 4
Caters for people with high care needs
approx.
$51,500
(p/year)
The Government provides the funding amounts above based on your package level. These funds are made available to you each year via your Home Care Provider. Choosing the right provider for you is about maximising your care hours, ensuring you get the support you need and minimising fees.
Packages offer access to a range of care and support services on an ongoing basis.
There are four levels of HCP depending on the level of support you need. These packages are fully funded by the government so you do not have to pay for individual services. Instead you work with your provider to develop a package of support services around the budget that the Government has allocated you.
"The system lacks transparency in communication, reporting and accountability. It is not built around the people it is supposed to help and support, but around funding mechanisms, processes and procedures.”
Excerpt from the Royal Commission into Aged Care in Australia
