Home and Community Care
Home and Community Care Program Overview
The Home and Community Care (HACC) Program provides community care services to frail aged and younger people with disabilities, and their carers.
What is the HACC Program?
The Home and Community Care (HACC) Program is a joint Australian, State and Territory Government Initiative.The HACC Program provides services such as domestic assistance, personal care as well as professional allied health care and nursing services, in order to support older Australians, younger people with a disability and their carers to be more independent at home and in the community and to reduce the potential or inappropriate need for admission to residential care.
Some of the services funded through the HACC Program include:
- nursing care;
- allied health care;
- meals and other food services;
- domestic assistance;
- personal care;
- home modification and maintenance;
- transport;
- respite care;
- counselling, support, information and advocacy;
- assessment.
Aims
The HACC Program delivers high quality, affordable and accessible services in the community that are essential to the well being of eligible older Australians, younger people with a disability, and their carers.The Program aims to support these people to be more independent at home and in the community, and reduce the potential or inappropriate need for admission to a residential care facility.
The Program is a key element of the Australian Government’s aged-care policy and its vision for a world-class community care system.
Australian Government responsibilities
The Australian Government provides approximately 60 per cent of funding for the program and maintains a broad strategic policy role.The state and territory governments provide the remaining percentage of funding, and are the primary point of contact for HACC service providers and consumers.
The state and territory governments are also responsible for program management, including the approval and funding of individual HACC services in their jurisdictions.
In 2008 – 2009, $1.788 billion will be provided for the HACC Program nationally, an increase of over 8 per cent compared to funding in 2007 – 2008.
Of this, the Australian Government will provide $1.090 billion, and the remaining $698 million will be contributed by state and territory governments.
If you are a veteran or a war widow:
Veterans' Home Care is a program managed by the Department of Veterans' Affairs to help veterans and war widows/widowers enjoy a healthier lifestyle and remain living at home longer.The services through Veterans' Home Care are similar to HACC services, and include help in the home, personal care, home maintenance and respite care.
More information about services available for veterans, war widows and war widowers, is available from the Department of Veterans Affairs. (FREECALL 1800 555 254)
Feedback
We welcome your comments about this HACC Program website. If you would like to provide feedback, please email acc@health.gov.au with your comments.Top of page