How to Get a Home Care Package in Australia (2025 Guide)

If someone you care for needs help to keep living at home — with showering, meals, medications, nursing visits — a Home Care Package (HCP) is likely the most important piece of government funding you can access. And most families miss it, or access it years later than they needed to.

This guide explains exactly how the system works, what each level means, how long the wait is, and what to do in the meantime.

What is a Home Care Package?

A Home Care Package is a government-funded budget — ranging from roughly $10,000 to $61,000 per year — that older Australians can use to purchase care services to help them stay at home. The funding goes to an approved provider, who coordinates and delivers services on your family member's behalf.

It is different from the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), which provides entry-level support. Home Care Packages are designed for people with more complex or ongoing needs.

The four levels

Level	Designed for	Annual funding (approx.)
Level 1	Basic care needs	~$10,000/year
Level 2	Low-level care needs	~$17,500/year
Level 3	Intermediate care needs	~$38,000/year
Level 4	High-level care needs	~$58,500/year

Step-by-step: how to access a package

1. Register with My Aged Care. Call 1800 200 422 or go to myagedcare.gov.au. You'll need the person's Medicare number. Registration takes 15–20 minutes by phone. Do this as early as possible — the clock doesn't start until you register.
2. Request an ACAT assessment. After registration, My Aged Care will arrange an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessment. An assessor comes to the home (or hospital) and determines what level of support is needed. Be honest and specific — describe the worst days, not the best ones.
3. Receive your approval letter. After the assessment, you'll receive a letter approving a package level. This letter also places your family member in the national queue.
4. Wait for assignment. This is the hard part. Wait times for Level 3 and 4 packages have historically been 6–18 months. You'll receive a letter when a package is assigned.
5. Choose a provider. Once assigned, you have 56 days to choose an approved provider. You can compare providers at myagedcare.gov.au/find-a-provider. Interview at least two — ask about their administration fees, care coordinator availability, and what happens when your usual carer is sick.
6. Start services. The provider develops a care plan with you and services begin. The plan should be reviewed regularly — ask for a review if needs change.

What to do while you wait

Waiting 12+ months for a Level 3 or 4 package while someone's needs are high right now is one of the most frustrating experiences families face. There are several options while you wait:

Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)

Lower-level entry support available through My Aged Care — meals, domestic assistance, social support, transport. Apply through the same 1800 200 422 number. Approval is faster than HCPs.

Interim packages

Ask My Aged Care whether a lower-level interim package is available while you wait for the approved level. A Level 2 now is better than nothing while waiting for a Level 4.

Private home care

Private home care typically costs $35–80/hour depending on the provider and service type. It's expensive but may be necessary in the short term. Keep receipts — if your family member later accesses a package, some providers can be flexible about transitioning.

Hospital social worker

If your family member is currently in hospital, the hospital's social worker can fast-track an ACAT assessment and sometimes expedite package allocation. Ask for the social worker on the day of admission, not the day before discharge.

Fees and what families pay

Home Care Packages are not entirely free. Your family member may be asked to pay:

• Basic daily fee — up to $13.74/day (35% of the basic age pension rate). Not all providers charge this.
• Income-tested care fee — means-tested, only applies to those with income above a threshold. Assessed by Services Australia (Centrelink).

You can get a fee estimate from myagedcare.gov.au before committing to a provider.

Consumer-directed care: what it means

Home Care Packages operate on a consumer-directed care model — your family member (or you, as their representative) has input into how the budget is spent and which services are prioritised. You are not just a passive recipient.

In practice, this means you can ask to change services, switch providers if you're unhappy, and direct more funding toward certain types of care. Providers are required to discuss and document your goals and preferences.

Changing providers

You are not locked into a provider. If you're unhappy with the quality of care, the communication, or the fees being charged, you can transfer your package to a different provider. Give 2–4 weeks' notice. Your package travels with you.

If the package isn't enough

For people with very high needs, even a Level 4 package may not fully fund the care required. If your family member needs more support than a package can provide, it may be time to consider residential aged care. My Aged Care can explain what's available.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (1800 951 822) handles complaints about providers or the quality of care received.

This article is for general information only. Eligibility, funding amounts, and processes change — always verify current details with My Aged Care (1800 200 422) or myagedcare.gov.au. This does not constitute medical or financial advice.