09 May 2024

Stories | Home Care

Home Care Packages are a type of government subsidy that support older Australians to live independently in their own home.

There are; four types of Home Care Package catering to differing levels of need, and the services you can access will depend upon which Package you have been awarded.

Home Care Packages might include anything from monthly gardening to advanced care for complex health issues.

The most important feature of Home Care Packages is that they are flexible, including a range of care services that are tailored to each person’s individual needs.

To give you an idea of what to expect, we’ve listed the services often included in Home Care Packages, as well as those which aren’t.

In this article:

What can Home Care Packages be used for?
What’s not included in a Home Care Package?
Can Home Care Package funds be used to make larger purchases?
What if my needs change over time?
How to exit your Home Care Package
Choosing a Home Care Package Provider

What can Home Care Packages be used for?

Your home care plan will be the main driver behind which care services you can access through your Home Care Package.

When you first sign up to a Home Care Package with your chosen provider, they will work with you to establish your needs and goals, forming this into a personalised care plan with recommendations for particular services.

These might include:

Nursing, Allied Health Professionals, and other clinical services in your own home
Personal care including washing and dressing
Housekeeping, such as cleaning and grocery shopping
Meal preparation
Home modifications to support your mobility
Transportation and assistance getting out and about in your community
Social support

If you are wondering whether you can access other services not listed here, the main thing to remember is that Home Care Package funding can be used towards any service or product that will directly help you to continue living safely in your home.

What’s not included in a Home Care Package?

Home Care Package guidelines state that you can only access services which address the care needs and goals as documented in your care plan.

For example, government-funded Home Care Packages will exclude:

Day to day bills and household expenses
Utility bills
Medication costs
Groceries
Mortgage or rental payments
Travel or hotel stays
Entertainment such as gambling, sporting tickets, or club memberships.

If you’re unsure about whether a particular service can be funded through your Home Care Package, the first step will be to seek advice from your provider.

How can Home Care Package funds be used to make larger purchases?

Larger-ticket items are defined as a product or service which costs more than your Home Care Package monthly subsidy. These might include:

Mobility scooters
Wheelchairs
A stairlift
A ramp
Other home modifications or assistive aids

The good news is that your Home Care Package will usually allow for these types of purchases, so long as they:

Correlate to the needs and goals in your care plan,
Have lasting value, and;
Support you to live safely and well at home.

Before making a purchase of this nature, it will need to be approved by your Home Care Package provider and meet relevant quality and safety standards. In addition, any charges or additional service fees will need to be mutually agreed between you and your provider before the purchase is made.

What if my needs change over time?

Home Care Package funds are designed to be flexible and responsive to your changing needs and preferences.

If you feel that your level of Home Care Package is no longer meeting your care needs, talk to your provider in the first instance and ask for a review of your care plan and package budget.

You can also contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to discuss your options and request a reassessment.

If you’re unhappy with the services you are receiving from your current provider, or are moving to a new area, it’s very easy to change Home Care Package providers.

Use the Government’s Find A Provider tool to explore which other Home Care Package providers are available in your area, and how much they charge for services. The team at My Aged Care can also offer advice and recommendations on 1800 200 422.

Once you have made your choice, My Aged Care will re-activate your referral code, which you can then give to your new chosen provider. Find out more about this process; here.

What if I don’t need home care services anymore?

There are many reasons why a Home Care Package is no longer required. It may be that you have made the decision to move into a residential aged care home. In other cases, the person receiving the Home Care Package has passed away.

The first step to exiting a Home Care Package is to notify the provider in writing. Make sure to include what date you’d like the agreement to end.

Most providers require a minimum of 14 days’ notice, but some may ask for longer – this information can be found in the Home Care Agreement you signed with your provider.

Once your Home Care Package has come to an end, any unused government funds will be returned to the Government, and any unused fees you may have paid will be returned to you or your estate.

Just need a break?

If you need to press pause on your Home Care services, this can be easily arranged.

It might be that you’ve had to spend some time in hospital or need to access residential respite care. You might be travelling. Whatever the reason, just call your provider and let them know the dates you’ll be away.

Your provider cannot deliver or charge you for any care services while you are on leave from your package, however there may still be fees to pay even if these are reduced.

How do I choose a Home Care Package Provider?

Following your in-person assessment with a member of the Government’s Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), your assessor will be able to write you a referral for a local provider, or you can choose your own.

If you are choosing your own provider, you will be given a referral code, which you’ll give to your chosen operator so they can start organising services for you.

It’s important to know that you have 56 days to choose a government-approved care provider and provide them with this referral code.

Unfortunately, if you do not sign with a provider in this time or request an extension, it will expire, and you will need to reapply to go back on the national waiting list.

Get in touch with BaptistCare at home

We are one of Australia’s largest and most trusted providers of home care for seniors, delivering loving, respectful, and reliable care to more than 15,000 people across NSW, ACT, and WA.

If you would like to know more about BaptistCare’s home care services, our friendly team are here to help you.

We’ll listen, guide you through the care and support we have available, and provide tailored advice for your particular situation.

Please call 1300 275 227 (Monday to Friday, from 8:00am to 6:00pm) or email us at ask@baptistcare.org.au.

What Can Home Care Package Funds Be Used For?