Home-based care
Care recipient contributions and subsidies for home care packages
The Australian Government funds three types of home care packages designed to assist older Australians to remain living in their own homes – Community Aged Care Packages (CACP), Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) packages and Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia (EACHD) packages.
Client contributions for a home care package
A care recipient can be asked to pay a fee for a home care package. For a care recipient receiving the Age Pension, the maximum fee which can be charged is 17.5% of the basic rate of single pension.People on higher incomes* may be asked to pay additional fees (limited to 50% of any income above the basic rate of single pension). The service provider must inform all care recipients of its fees policy. However, no one will be denied a service they need, based on an inability to pay fees.
The maximum fee for home care packages changes each March and September, in line with changes to the pension.
As at 20 March 2013 the maximum fee for a CACP, EACH or EACHD package for people on the basic rate of pension is $9.17 per day.
*Income means income after tax and the Medicare levy.
Australian Government subsidies for home care packages
Subsidies for the home care packages are set on 1 July each year. Subsidies are paid through Medicare directly to approved providers.Community Aged Care Packages
As at 1 July 2012, the daily subsidy for a CACP package is $37.32.The Community Aged Care Package information page provides further details and information on CACPs.
Extended Aged Care at Home
As at 1 July 2012, the daily subsidy for an EACH package is $124.75. Oxygen and enteral feeding supplements are also payable in some circumstances.The Extended Aged Care at Home information page provides further details and information on EACH packages.
Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia
As at 1 July 2012, the daily subsidy for an EACHD package is $137.58. Oxygen and enteral feeding supplements are also payable in some circumstances.The Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia information page provides further details and information on EACHD packages.
More information on fees or subsidies:
- Call 1800 200 422
- Centrelink on 13 23 00
