Home Care Packages in Australia: funded support to stay at home as you age
Important update — Support at Home from 1 November 2025
From 1 November 2025, the Australian Government replaced the Home Care Packages (HCP) program with a new scheme: Support at Home. People already receiving HCP are transitioned automatically. New applicants after this date enter Support at Home directly.
This article explains the HCP structure and key concepts — visit myagedcare.gov.au for the most current information on Support at Home.
What is a Home Care Package?
A Home Care Package (HCP) is a government-funded budget allocated to an eligible older person to purchase professional care and support services — enabling them to continue living at home rather than moving into residential aged care.
HCPs come in four levels based on assessed care needs:
| Level | Support needs | Approximate annual budget |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Basic | ~$10,000 |
| Level 2 | Low | ~$18,000 |
| Level 3 | Intermediate | ~$40,000 |
| Level 4 | High | ~$60,000 |
Budgets are indexed annually and will be recalibrated under Support at Home.
What services can the package fund?
Package funds can be spent on:
- Personal care: showering, dressing, grooming, continence support.
- Domestic assistance: cleaning, cooking, laundry.
- Clinical care: nursing visits, physiotherapy, dietitian services.
- Social support: transport to medical appointments, social outings, shopping.
- Home modifications: grab rails, shower chairs, ramps.
- Assistive technology: walking frames, wheelchairs, communication devices.
How to access a Home Care Package
- Contact My Aged Care: call 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au.
- ACAT assessment — an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessor evaluates your needs and determines what level of support is appropriate.
- Wait for package assignment — waiting periods can range from months to over a year for higher-level packages, depending on demand.
- Choose an approved home care provider to manage your package.
- Develop a care plan with your provider to determine which services best suit your goals.
- Commence services.
Who manages the package funds?
Package funds are held and managed by an approved home care provider of your choice. They help you use the funding efficiently and employ or coordinate care workers. Since July 2023, unspent funds at the end of the period are partially returned to the recipient — a change from the earlier model where unused funds reverted to the government.
Co-contributions (fees you pay)
HCPs are not entirely free:
- Basic daily fee: some providers charge a small daily fee (not mandatory).
- Income-tested care fee: applies to people with income above a threshold — Services Australia assesses this.
- Pensioners and those on low incomes are generally exempt from the income-tested fee.
Contact Services Australia or your chosen provider to calculate your personal co-contribution.
Cultural and language support
For older Australians from non-English-speaking backgrounds, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) aged care services are available in many areas — with care workers who speak the same language or understand cultural practices. Ask My Aged Care or your provider about CALD-specific services near you.