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.
Home Care Packages (HCP) are a government funding program through which older Australians can access care services to help them live independently at home, especially for those with more complex care needs.
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.
As a recipient of a Home Care Package, you don’t receive the money directly in hand. Rather, it is administered by a HCP provider, who pays for the services you would receive out of your package.
The first step to applying for an HCP is to determine if you are eligible for it. To be approved for a Home Care Package, you would first complete a comprehensive aged care assessment, conducted by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), which will discuss your current care needs and supports. Find out how to prepare for your ACAT assessment.
Once you’re deemed eligible, you are assigned a package, and you need to find a home care provider who will work with you to:
- Choose care and services that best meet your assessed needs and personal goals
- Allow you to self-manage your care and services.
Depending on the level of the Home Care Package you are eligible for and get, you can find support for many kinds of services.
What services can you get with a Home Care Package?
You can purchase many different support services with your home care package, including:
- Personal services: this includes assistance with personal activities such as hygiene maintenance, mobility and communication
- In-home support: this includes assistance with nutrition, hydration, meal preparation and support to maintain a clean home environment
- Continence management: this includes assistance using continence aids or disposable pads
- Transport: this includes assistance shopping, attending personal appointments and transport to social activities
- Mobility: this includes costs for crutches and mobility aids such as walking frames, walking sticks and mechanical devices
- Nursing, allied health and therapy services: this might include occupational therapy, psychology support, podiatry or physiotherapy.
Levels of Home Care Package
There are four levels of a Home Care Package, depending on the level of support you need, ranging from basic care needs (Level 1) to high-level care needs (Level 4). The ACAT team decided the best level of Home Care Package for you. Find out more about the levels of home care packages and how they differ from each other.
How to access a Home Care Package
There are five steps to access a Home Care Package.
Step 1: Receive the outcome of your ACAT assessment
Step 2: Choose a Home Care Package provider and work out costs
Step 3: Be assigned a Home Care Package
Step 4: Enter into a Home Care Agreement
Step 5: Begin your services
Explore in detail how to access your Home Care Package to start connecting with supports.