Get care at home

Get the right care for you, anywhere in Australia

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.

WHAT IS HOME CARE?

Who can access Home Care?

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.

Learn more about getting assistance

Who is eligible for a home care package?

Eligibility is based on your care needs as determined through a face-to-face assessment, but you must also be:

  • an older person who needs coordinated services to help them stay at home, or
  • a younger person with a disability, dementia or other care needs not met through other specialist services.

Eligibility for home care

How much will it cost?

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.

Costs of home care

How does home care work?

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.

How to arrange home care

Types of care available in your home

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.

What is included in the service?

Who provides home care services?

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.

Questions to ask

How long will it take to get a Home Care Package?

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:

  • Package Level 1 wait time 3- 6 months
  • Packages Level 2, 3 and 4 wait time 12+ months

Options while waiting for your package