How much does home care cost?

How much does home care cost?

The type of support you receive will depend on the level of support you need – this is determined through an assessment called an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessment.

How much the government may ask you to contribute will depend on your income and assets. This is determined through an assessment called an income and means assessment.

Your level of care + your income and assets = how you’re supported and what you’ll pay.

Our team can help you arrange any required assessments.

How do I pay for home care?

1. Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)

Can help with individual tasks such as grocery shopping, cleaning, meal preparation, transport and Allied Health services. Call the St Vincent’s team to see which CHSP services we provide.

2. Home Care Packages (HCP)

For a more comprehensive approach to care in the home, you can apply for a ‘package’ of home care services. For both CHSP and HCP Services, you need to contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit the website: www.myagedcare.gov.au to see if you are eligible.

Home Care Packages explained

There are four levels of Home Care Packages (HCPS) to help meet different needs. During your aged care assessment, your assessor will discuss your current care needs and determine the best level to meet them. Depending on the (ACAT) assessment of your outcome you will be assigned a Home Care Package subsidy. This subsidy will depend on your package level.

Level One

Supports people with basic care needs - approx. $9,179.75  per year*

Basic care is suitable if you need a little extra support to help stay independent and at home, may include one or two visits a week from a care worker. 

Examples of HCP Level 1 care:

• Some help with cleaning and tidying around the house
• Supporting your personal health – grooming and dressing
• Getting some help with meals, shopping and transport
• 1-2 visits a week from a care worke

Level Three

Supports people with intermediate care needs - approx. $35,138.55 per year*

Intermediate level care is suitable if you need a little more support to stay living at home.

Examples of HCP Level 3 care:

• Support from trained medical staff such as podiatry, massage and/or virtual nurse health monitoring
• A visit from a care worker or nurse most days of the week

*Amount as at October 2023. The maximum government contribution increases each year. The specific amount to be paid will depend on whether you are asked to pay an income-tested care fee.

A HCP will be allocated to you personally and you can decide on the services you need, who delivers those services and how involved you want to be in organising those services.

The same type of care and services are provided across all four HCP levels although the hours of care increases from level 1 through to level 4.

Package Supplements

• Dementia Supplement – available for those living with dementia
• Veteran’s Supplement – available for veterans with an accepted mental health condition

Both supplements are available on any of the care levels. St Vincent’s is able to apply for the subsidies and ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.

Just need answers?

Call the St Vincent’s home care team and we can take you through:

• How home care costs work
• What you can get with your home care package
• Tips for getting the most out of home care (and My Aged Care)

Call 1800 778 767 to get started with us today.