For many older Australians, the goal is simple — to stay in the home they know, surrounded by the community they love, for as long as possible. A Home Care Package is one of the key ways the Australian Government helps make that possible.
If you or a family member is finding daily tasks harder to manage, or needs a little more support to stay safe and independent at home, a Home Care Package could be the right fit.
What is a Home Care Package?
A Home Care Package (HCP) is a government-funded program that provides older Australians with a coordinated package of care and support services delivered in their own home. It is administered through My Aged Care and is designed for people who need more support than the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) can offer.
Funding is provided directly to an approved home care provider — like Surf Coast Support Services — who works with you to design and deliver a support plan tailored to your goals and needs.
The four package levels
Home Care Packages are divided into four levels based on the complexity of your care needs:
Level 1 — Basic care needs For people who need a small amount of support to remain living at home. This might include a few hours of domestic assistance or social support each fortnight.
Level 2 — Low-level care needs For people who need regular support across a few areas — perhaps personal care a couple of times a week, plus transport to appointments.
Level 3 — Intermediate care needs For people with more complex needs who require consistent support across multiple areas of daily life, such as personal care, nursing, meal preparation, and community access.
Level 4 — High-level care needs For people with significant and complex care needs who require substantial daily support. This level is designed for people who might otherwise need to consider residential care.
What services can a Home Care Package fund?
Depending on your package level, your funding can cover a wide range of supports, including:
- Personal care — showering, dressing, grooming, and continence support
- Domestic assistance — cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, and meal preparation
- Social support — companionship, accompanied outings, and help staying connected with family
- Transport — to medical appointments, shopping, and community activities
- Allied health — physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, and dietitian visits
- Nursing care — wound care, medication management, and health monitoring
- Home modifications and assistive technology — to make your home safer and more accessible
- Respite care — giving family carers a well-earned break
Who is eligible?
Home Care Packages are available to older Australians who are generally aged 65 and over (or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and who have been assessed as needing support to remain living at home.
To access a package, you need to be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). This is a free assessment arranged through My Aged Care.
How to apply — step by step
Step 1 — Contact My Aged Care Call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au to register and request an assessment. You can also ask a family member, carer, or GP to help you make contact.
Step 2 — ACAT assessment A trained assessor will visit you at home (or in hospital if needed) to understand your situation, daily challenges, and support needs. This assessment is free and takes around an hour.
Step 3 — Receive your approval letter If approved, you will receive a letter confirming your package level and placing you in the national queue. Wait times vary depending on your assessed level and location.
Step 4 — Receive your package assignment When a package becomes available, you will be notified. You then have 56 days to choose a provider and begin using your funding.
Step 5 — Choose your provider and start services This is where we come in. At Surf Coast Support Services, we will sit down with you, go through your goals, and design a support plan that works for your life — not a one-size-fits-all template.
What about costs?
Home Care Packages are subsidised by the government, but you may be asked to contribute through a basic daily fee and, in some cases, an income-tested care fee. My Aged Care can provide a fee estimate based on your financial situation. At Surf Coast Support Services, we are always transparent about costs upfront — no hidden fees, no surprises.
Not sure which level you need?
That is completely normal — most families are not sure where to start. The ACAT assessment will determine the right level for your situation. In the meantime, if your needs are urgent or you are waiting for your package to be assigned, you may be able to access entry-level support through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).
Ready to find out more?
Our team at Surf Coast Support Services helps older Australians and their families navigate the aged care system every day — from understanding your options to getting your first support visit in place.
Call us or email info@surfcoastsupport.com.au — the first conversation is always free, always at your pace, and always without pressure.