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Home Care Package

Everything you need to know about home care packages, eligibility criteria, ACAT assessments, self-management and more.

A guide to Home Care Package consumables
From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Package program. Rules that apply under Support at Home may be different to those that applied to the Home Care Package program mentioned in this article. To learn more about the Support at Home program, visit our Topic Library or the official Support at Home website . What can I spend my Home Care Package on? The Home Care Package (HCP) is designed to help you remain living independently and safely in your own home. The funding can be used to pay for care, services and goods that align to your specific care needs. Depending on your HCP level and needs, your funds can be used on the following: Personal care services In-home support and maintenance Support for continence management Transport support Mobility Nursing care, allied health and therapy services. What products can I buy with my Home Care Package? In addition to services , you can use your HCP to purchase goods, equipment and assistive technology (G
Am I eligible for a Home Care Package?
From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Package program. Rules that apply under Support at Home may be different to those that applied to the Home Care Package program mentioned in this article. To learn more about the Support at Home program, visit our Topic Library or the official Support at Home website . The Home Care Package program aims to provide support to older people with complex needs so they can remain living in their home. However, in order to receive the support they need, they must be eligible for the program. What is a Home Care Package? A Home Care Package (HCP) is funding provided by the federal government that helps support older Australians to live independently for longer in their own homes. There are four levels of Home Care Package , and an individual is assessed for their eligibility for the appropriate level, based on their needs and capabilities. A Level 1 Home Care Package provides for basic care needs at $9,026
Five steps to accessing a Home Care Package
From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Package program. Rules that apply under Support at Home may be different to those that applied to the Home Care Package program mentioned in this article. To learn more about the Support at Home program, visit our Topic Library or the official Support at Home website . The Home Care Package Program is designed for older Australians who have more complex care needs that go beyond what the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, but want to live independently at home. With a Home Care Package, you can avail of different types of service, such as food preparation, grooming, cleaning, laundry or more complex ones including physiotherapy and medication. Find out more about home care packages, support services you can receive through them and whether you’re eligible for a Home Care Package . Home Care Package levels There are four Home Care Package levels, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4. Each level is different
How do I choose a Home Care Package provider?
From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Package program. Rules that apply under Support at Home may be different to those that applied to the Home Care Package program mentioned in this article. To learn more about the Support at Home program, visit our Topic Library or the official Support at Home website . Once you have received your Home Care Package (HCP), the next step is to find a Home Care Package provider. This is who manages the money you receive from the federal government for your support services. This article will explain how to choose a Home Care Package provider so you can start receiving the support you need. What is a Home Care Package? A HCP is funding that the federal government provides to older Australians to access in-home aged care services allowing them to live independently at home and in their community for longer. Find out more about HCPs and what eligibility requirements you must meet to get a HCP . What is a H
How Mable can provide you with comfort about the safety of your loved ones
From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Package program. Rules that apply under Support at Home may be different to those that applied to the Home Care Package program mentioned in this article. To learn more about the Support at Home program, visit our Topic Library the official Support at Home website . In the wake of the Aged Care Royal Commission, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day this year is in the spotlight more than ever. According to The Guardian , as many as 185,000 Australians could be experiencing some kind of elder abuse nationally each year. For people looking for aged care options for a loved one, their safety, wellbeing and quality of life are front of mind. Here, we take a look at how engaging independent support workers via Mable could help give you peace of mind. In 2018, the ABC’s Four Corner’s program investigated issues within Australia’s aged care industry, returning with distressing stories of neglect and abuse. It was their
How self-management of a Home Care Package works
From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Package program. Rules that apply under Support at Home may be different to those that applied to the Home Care Package program mentioned in this article. To learn more about the Support at Home program, visit our Topic Library or the official Support at Home website. Everyone who is approved for a government funded Home Care Package (HCP) is given the option to self-manage it. This option gives you greater choice and control, more hours of support and better value, overall. Why self-manage your Home Care Package? Before the policy of Consumer Directed Care was fully introduced in 2017, having a HCP meant you had to stick with your aged care provider with sometimes limited choices. This meant accepting their staff and available support options, according to their rosters. With consumer directed care, from February 2017 onwards, HCP funding was allocated to the person rather than to the aged care provider.
How to connect with support when Self-Managing a Home Care Package
From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Package program. Rules that apply under Support at Home may be different to those that applied to the Home Care Package program mentioned in this article. To learn more about the Support at Home program, visit our Topic Library or the official Support at Home website . Since February 2017, every person who has been approved for a federal government-funded Home Care Package (HCP) is given the option to ‘self-manage’ it. You get to decide which services you spend your funding on, as long as they are HCP-approved. You also get to choose who delivers the services , such as a traditional aged care agency or independent support workers, like those who offer their services via Mable. What does self-managing a Home Care Package mean? Through self-managed HCPs, you can choose your HCP provider (an entity that manages your funding and pays invoices on your behalf for the services you receive) and your support servic
How to prepare for an ACAT assessment
From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Package program. Rules that apply under Support at Home may be different to those that applied to the Home Care Package program mentioned in this article. To learn more about the Support at Home program, visit our Topic Library or the official Support at Home website . An Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessment is a vital step to receiving the right home care and support for your needs. It’s important you are prepared for the assessment, as it will impact the level of support you can receive through a Home Care Package , residential care or respite care. What is an ACAT assessment An ACAT assessment (some refer to this as a ‘home care assessment’) is a comprehensive assessment that determines your eligibility to begin receiving care. The types of care an ACAT can assess you for include: Home Care Packages Short-term care options such as restorative care or transition care Aged care homes Who does an ACAT
I'm not eligible for a Home Care Package, what can I do?
From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program replaced the Home Care Package program. Rules that apply under Support at Home may be different to those that applied to the Home Care Package program mentioned in this article. To learn more about the Support at Home program, visit our Topic Library or the official Support at Home website . Eligibility for a Home Care Package (HCP) is based on a person’s care needs and is determined by an Aged Care Assessment Test (ACAT). After meeting the eligibility criteria for an ACAT assessment, if the assessor decides you only need a low level of support – perhaps only one or two services – you may not be deemed eligible for a Home Care Package, but you may be suited for help at home through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP). Eligibility criteria for an ACAT assessment includes: Being more than 65 years of age (50+ for Torres Strait Islander/Aboriginal people) Your level of independence to go about daily activities such as person