Need help understanding Home care?
Home care describes the help and support services you can access from the government, community groups and private organisations to help you stay in your home and live a comfortable life.
Home care describes the help and support services you can access from the government, community groups and private organisations to help you stay in your home and live a comfortable life.
Anyone needing some help at home with daily living tasks can access private home care. The Australian Government also provides funding for Home Care Packages to older people with complex care needs to live independently in their own homes.
Eligibility is based on your care needs as determined through a face-to-face assessment, but you must also be:
The government makes a subsidy available to some people who need home care. Known as a Home Care Package, the amount you could receive is based on an assessment of your personal care needs and financial situation.
You can use the funding to help cover the cost of home care services, equipment and case management.
After the initial assessment and package approval, you then choose a service provider that is right for you. The government pays your provider a subsidy to arrange a package of care services to meet your needs.
There are four levels of Home Care Packages with different funding amounts, one will be assigned to you based on your needs. These cover basic support needs through to high care needs.
There are lots of different types of home care available, depending on your needs, such as: domestic care including shopping and transport, personal care, companion care, maintenance services for your house, health advice and assessment services, community programs such as art therapy and nursing care including wound and medication management.
Home care services are provided by a variety of organisations across Australia. Using our guide, compile a list of questions to ask the providers you plan to speak with then you can search our site for everyone who services your area.
If you qualify for a package, you’re put in a needs-based queue; the wait depends on the level of care you need. The expected wait time for approved Home Care Package levels to become available is currently: