Home Care Packages

Home Care Packages are for people who need more care than the basic services provided under the Commonwealth Home Support Program, (CHSP.) Home care packages are designed for everybody who needs that level of support at home. This includes not only aged care but also NDIS care. All Australian government Home Care Packages are based on the concept of Consumer Directed Care, (CDC.) This means you can choose your care provider and the services you want when you want them.

Consumer Directed Care, (CDC), means that you are able to choose who provides your care. You can build a package of services that best supports you in living the life you want. You can also choose the level of control you have over the services and support you receive within your budget.

You can decide how much involvement you wish to have in managing your package. This can range from being fully involved in all aspects including co‑ordination of care and services, to taking a less active role by nominating your care provider in the decision-making and management of their package

See Mr G's story on the right hand side of this page

Also read more about some of our clients here

Individualised budgets provide greater transparency to the consumer about what funding is available and how those funds are spent. We provide a monthly statement to let you keep track of what funds have been expended and on what services.

Ongoing monitoring and a formal annual re-assessment by our expert staff will ensure that the package continues to be the most appropriate for the consumer.

For further information please visit My Aged Care - Home Care Packages

The services that can be provided in a Home Care Package include, but are not limited to:

  • support services – such as help with washing and ironing, house cleaning, gardening, basic home maintenance, minor home modifications related to your care needs, and transport to help you with shopping, visit your doctor or attend social activities
  • personal care – such as help with showering or bathing, dressing and mobility
  • nursing and allied health - physio, occupational therapy, podiatry, speech therapy, continence assessment
  • care coordination and case management.

To be eligible for a home care package, you first need to register at My Aged Care at www.myagedcare.gov.au or call the national contact centre on 1800 200 422.



Resources

Mavis 2018

Community Care TASMANIA staff are welcome back anytime..."They do an excellent job and happy to have B.....again.

Meet some of our Home Care Package Clients

Max from Burnie - Loves his I-Pad

Max from Burnie - Loves his I-Pad

Palmina from Launceston - Community Care TASMANIA "helps keep me active and alive"

Palmina from Launceston - Community Care TASMANIA "helps keep me active and alive"

Antonietta from Launceston - still laughing at home

Antonietta from Launceston - still laughing at home

Ilona from Burnie - extremely comfortable in her new chair organised by Community Care TASMANIA

Ilona from Burnie - extremely comfortable in her new chair organised by Community Care TASMANIA

Read more about our clients here

Home Care Packages - what they are worth and what you contribute

There are four levels of Home Care Packages and your level will determine how much funding you have available for your care.

The government contribution changes on 1 July every year; these figures are up to date as at 1 July 2024.

  • Level 1 total package - $29.01 per day available for your care services.
  • Level 2 total package - $51.02 per day available for your care services.
  • Level 3 total package - $111.04 per day available for your care services.
  • Level 4 total package - $168.33 per day available for your care services.

Your contribution

It is government policy that most people are asked to make a contribution to their care package. This contribution can be up to 17.5% of the full aged pension.

From 20 March 2024, the basic daily fee by Home Care Package level is:

  • Level 1 - $11.43 per day
  • Level 2 - $12.08 per day
  • Level 3 - $12.42 per day
  • Level 4 - $12.75 per day

At Community Care TASMANIA your Case Manager will negotiate the level of your contribution to your package to best suit your personal situation and circumstances.

In addition you may be subject to an income test which may result in an increased personal contribution to you package

Importantly, your contribution does not change the total amount of your package. It just means the greater your capacity to pay, the less subsidy you will receive from the government.

Your total package = your contribution + the government subsidy.

There are limits on how much you will pay over a year, or over your lifetime. These figures are also updated twice a year, in March and September.

Your income tested care fee is calculated by Services Australia, we encourage you to get in contact with them on 1800 227 475 to discuss further.

When you choose an organisation such as Community Care TASMANIA to be your home care provider, some of you total package funds will go towards the service fee.

Our fees are very competitive and completely open and transparent. There are no hidden costs to you, and definitely no surprise add-ons. Meeting your needs is our priority.

In providing the best quality care to you we have to achieve certain national standards in the areas of management, recruitment and training of staff, quality improvement, reporting to government and clients, coordinating and delivering services. These costs, along with your individual case management, make up the service fee.

Case Management covers such things as:

  • Initial assessment;
  • Identifying consumer goals;
  • Development and updating of agreement, care plan and individualised budget;
  • Sending referrals;
  • Obtaining contracted prices;
  • Reports to government;
  • Completing home and office files;
  • Ongoing monitoring and informal reviews;
  • Referrals to ACAT if a higher level package is needed.

Our staff are available to provide information about service options that will help create a support and care plan that suits your needs. Simply contact us on 1300 722 400 and speak to a local.

Organising a Home Care Package

Step 1 – Phone Assessment

When you contact My Aged Care, you will undergo a quick phone screening so that your care needs can be assessed. Based on this initial assessment, you will either be referred to a Regional Assessment Service or to an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), for a more comprehensive assessment.

If you are referred to a Regional Assessment Service, it generally means that you require a Home Support Program (CHSP) for basic level support. This could include services such as meals on wheels, community transport or other complementary services.

If you have more complex or ongoing care and support needs, you will be referred for a more comprehensive ACAT assessment.

Step 2 – Your ACAT Assessment

Your ACAT assessment is designed to determine whether you are eligible for a Home Care Package, respite care or permanent placement into an aged care home.

A member of your local ACAT, usually a nurse, social worker or other health care professional, will make a time to come to see you at home. They will talk to you about how you are managing day-to-day and may also ask your permission to talk to your doctor about your medical history.

During the assessment they will give you information on what services you might have available to you and what you might want to access. Many people also choose to have a family member, friend or carer present at the assessment to provide extra support.

Step 3 – Securing a Home Care Package

As explained above there are four levels of Home Care Packages – if it is determined that you are to receive a home care package you will first receive a letter from My Aged Care which will indicate that you have been approved for a home care package. This is a first step only. You will then receive a further letter when your package is directly assigned to you.

This letter will ask you to seek an approved home care provider such as Community Care TASMANIA to deliver the services you require. It will also set out a time frame for you to find a provider.

We will appoint a case manager to work with you to determine what is required and to help you put the package into action. This includes signing a home care agreement which formally secures your package. Our expert staff organise a package that is tailored to suit your individual needs.

Please talk to us at any time. Community Care TASMANIA can help you through the process of getting assessed for your required level of home-based support either through the CHSP or a home care package. Contact us to speak to one of our professional and friendly staff.

Read more about our clients here

Some examples of services and equipment provided to clients with home care packages.

In addition to domestic assistance, personal care and light home/garden maintenance, Community Care TASMANIA can also arrange the following services, equipment, and consumables for clients with home care packages:

  • Hospital style bed
  • Personal alarm and monitoring
  • Webster packaging of medications
  • Continence aids
  • Taxi costs, where approved for care purposes
  • Podiatry costs
  • Physiotherapy costs
  • Remedial Massage
  • Rollators
  • Wheelchairs
  • Support staff for social outings such as:
    • Fishing trips
    • Golfing (staff support)