Aged Home Care Packages are one of the ways in which you can receive affordable care services to help you in your own home.

Home care packages are designed to support those who want to live independently in their own homes and who require more complex in-home aged care needs that go beyond what the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) can provide.

No matter if you require entry level care or more comprehensive care, home care packages are designed to provide extra support to those who want to live independently in their own homes and avoid residential care at an aged care facility.

Reach out for a free consultation

There are four levels of Home Care Packages (HCP) care and support you can access, ranging from low level care needs to high level care needs, that help you maintain your independence. Each level provides a different subsidy amount which is funded by the Australian Government.

Your home care package level will be independently assessed by an aged care assessment team, using a nationally consistent and accredited framework as follows:

Who is eligible for Commonwealth Home Support Programme?

Eligibility for the CHSP is based on your support needs and age. Your financial situation doesn’t effect your eligibility. To be eligible for the CHSP program you must be aged:

  • 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people), or
  • 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and on a low income, homeless, or at risk of being homeless.

Check your eligibility online and find out what aged care services you could receive based on your needs.

What Services does Commonwealth Home Support Programme Provide?

The CHSP offers a wide range of home/community care services including:

  • Social Support and Activities
  • Transport
  • Domestic Assistance
  • Personal care
  • Home Maintenance
  • Nursing Care
  • Respite Care
  • Food Services
    What are the similarities between Commonwealth Home Support Program and Home Care Packages?

    Both the Commonwealth Home Support Programme and Home Care Packages are funded by the Australian Government. This means that if you are assessed by My Aged Care and your approved care needs meet the criteria, you will receive money from the government to put towards your aged home care services. These home care package funds can be used to pay for a wide range of home care support services, such as nursing care, jobs around the home, wound care, meal preparation and more.

    The range of services you can receive on the CHSP and HCP are also similar. Depending on your assessed and approved care needs, you may require assistance in the form of gardening, personal care, occupational therapy, meal service, transport or assistance with Allied Health Services, for example.

    What is the difference between Commonwealth Home Support Programme and Home Care Packages?

    The Commonwealth Home Support Programme is an Australian Government program providing support for older Australians requiring assistance to remain living independently at home and in their own community. The CHSP is designed to provide entry level support to those who may find themselves seeking a little bit of help with some everyday tasks.

    Home Care Packages on the other hand are designed to support those who require more complex aged care needs that go beyond what the Commonwealth Home Support Programme can provide. Home Care Packages offer a coordinated approach to the delivery of your in home care services and can be tailored to suit you, in line with your assessed and approved care needs.

    There are four levels of HCP support, and your level will be assessed by a professional assessor using a nationally consistent assessment framework to determine which services you are eligible for.

    The amount of government funding you receive to put towards your home care differs between the CHSP and HCP. As the CHSP is designed for those who have lower care needs, the funding is less. As HCP are designed for those who have an increased level of care needs, the package funding is higher.

    What is a Level 4 Home Care Package

    Home Care Package Level 4 is designed to support people who have high or complex care needs, such as dementia care or Parkinson’s, and need a high level of support and extra assistance to stay safe in their own home.

    There is approximately 14-15 hours of support available per week, and the common range of services our caring hands help Home Care Package Level 4 customers with are:

    • Personal Care
    • Domestic Assistance
    • Medication Management
    • Nursing Support
    • Allied Health Professionals Support
    • Assistance with aids and equipment
    • Support with changes to memory
    • Social Support
    • Shopping
    • Transport
    What is a Level 3 Home Care Package

    Level 3 Home Care Package is designed to support people who have intermediate care needs and need extra support than level 1 and 2 to remain safe at home and live an independent life.

    There is approximately 9 – 10 hours of support available per week, and the common range of services our caring hands help Level 3 Home Care Package customers with are:

    • Personal Care
    • Domestic Assistance
    • Medication Management
    • Nursing Support
    • Allied Health Professionals Support
    • Assistance with aids and equipment
    • Support with changes to memory
    • Social Support
    • Meal Preparation
    • Shopping
    • Transport
    What is a Level 2 Home Care Package

    Level 2 Home Care Package is designed to support people who have low-level care needs who require a little bit of care and help around the home, but are still able to perform most tasks themselves.

    There is approximately 4-6 hours of home care support available per week and the common range of services our caring hands help Level 2 Home Care Package customers with are:

    ●     Personal Care

    ●     Domestic Assistance

    ●     Social Support

    ●     Meal Preparation

    ●     Shopping

    ●     Transport

    ●     Basic Home and Gardening Maintenance

    ●     Basic Care Equipment

    What is a Level 1 Home Care Package

    Level 1 Home Care Package is designed to support people who have basic care needs, want to remain independent and are able to perform most day-to-day tasks on their own. There is approximately 2 – 3 hours of support per week, and the common range of services our caring hands help Level 1 Home Care Package customers with are:

    • Domestic Assistance
    • Social Support
    • Meal Preparation
    • Shopping
    • Transport
    • Basic gardening

      How does it work?

      To access a home care package you will need to be assessed and approved for home care services by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).

      If you are deemed eligible for a home care package following your ACAT assessment and after receiving your approval letter, you will then choose a home care provider, like Southcare, and enter in a home care agreement with them to deliver the aged care services and products you need to assist with daily living.

      How long it takes to get a home care package depends on what level you have been approved for, however those with more urgent needs are prioritised to receive home care support services.

      Everyone’s needs are different and as leading aged care providers, we get to know you to gain a better understanding of your specific needs and work with you to develop a personalised home care package and home care support plan to suit you.

      As always, you are in control of your care so you’ll have the choice and flexibility in the way your support services are delivered and which home care package works best for you, giving you peace of mind that you’ve made the right choice.

      It’s your care, your way.

      How much does a home care package cost?

      A basic daily fee and an income tested care fee are applied to Home Care Packages. Southcare’s home care fee structure is simple and transparent with no exit fees, putting you in total control. Your home care package budget and the cost of your care depends on how much and how often you use our caring hands, the products you need and the home care services you require in line with your approved care needs.

      We offer flexible service times and costs include aged care worker wages, travel time, care planning, mileage, training and development and other administration costs.

      Download HCP Price Schedule

      What in-home care or aged care support do you need the most?

      Deciding which home care package will work best for you can be a daunting process.

      As leading home care package providers in Perth, Western Australia, Southcare’s experienced home care team will work with you to determine the best home care package level to suit your approved care needs and help you maintain an independent life in your own home.

      Reach out for expert advice and a free consultation on options or a tailored package and let our caring hands help you stay healthy and stay independent in your own home.

      If you are currently accessing aged care services from another approved provider of home care packages, we’re happy to provide a free comparison and compare costs to ensure you are getting the best care and value for money from your current home care package service provider.

      Simply complete the form below and we’ll be in touch.