Extended Aged Care at Home Packages

The Extended Aged Care at Home Package pilot was established to test whether it is possible to provide care in a person's own home at the level currently provided in a high care residential facility.

In this section:

What are Extended Aged Care at Home Packages?

Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) packages are individually planned and coordinated packages of care, tailored to help frail older Australians to remain living at home. They are funded by the Australian Government to provide for the complex care needs of older people.

What help is available?

EACH packages are very flexible and designed to help with individual care needs. Generally a person who requires high level care could be eligible for an EACH package, and the types of services that may be provided as part of an EACH include:

registered nursing care;
care by an allied health professional such as a physiotherapist, podiatrist or other type of allied health care;
personal care;
transport to appointments;
social support;
home help; and
assistance with oxygen and/or enteral feeding.

Who will provide the care?

The Australian Government provides EACH approved providers with a daily subsidy per package to supply and coordinate care services for frail older people. The individual services within an EACH package may be provided by a variety of organisations in your local area, but will be coordinated and planned by the approved aged care service provider who receives the subsidy to care for the frail older person receiving the EACH package.

How can I access an EACH package?

To receive an EACH package you must be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), as requiring high level care. ACAT assessments are free of charge. If EACH packages are available in your area, you have been assessed as requiring high level care, and expressed a preference to be cared for at home, then you may be offered an EACH package of care.Top of page

Information on ACATs is available from doctors, hospitals and community centres, or the Aged and Community Care Information Line on 1800 500 853, or Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres on 1800 052 222* (*mobile calls are charged at applicable rates).

How is an EACH package arranged?

When a service provider accepts you, a package of services will be tailored to meet your needs as assessed by the ACAT. The service provider will discuss the options available for meeting your care needs and a plan of care will be agreed upon. You, your family or representatives have the right to negotiate with the provider on the types and levels of care to be provided. After you have agreed on your care, the service provider will give you a copy of your care plan setting out the services you will receive.

How much will I have to pay?

You can be asked to pay a fee for an EACH package of care. The amount charged forms part of an agreement between yourself and the service provider.

For older people on the maximum basic rate of pension, fees must not exceed 17.5% of that pension. Accordingly, as at 20 March 2009, the maximum daily contribution for clients of an EACH package will be $6.87.

People on higher incomes* may be asked to pay additional fees (limited to 50% of any income above the maximum pension rate). The service provider must inform you of its fees policy. However, no one will be denied a service they need, based on an inability to pay fees.

*Income means income after tax and the Medicare levy.

What quality of service can I expect?

The Australian Government has specified standards for EACH packages of care, which approved providers are legally required to meet to ensure that care recipients receive care of the highest quality. Recipients of an EACH package of care (or their representative) are entitled to:

quality services that meet their assessed needs;
where possible, their preferred level of social independence;
access information about the care options available and the facts they need to make informed choices;
access to details of the care being provided; and
take part in developing a package of care that best meets their needs.

What if I have a complaint?

If you, your family or your representatives are not happy with the service provided under an Extended Aged Care at Home package, you have the right to complain. The Australian Government has put arrangements in place for people to do this. If talking to the service provider cannot solve the problem, the Aged Care Complaints Investigation Scheme is available. This is a free service which is overseen by the Aged Care Commissioner. Top of page

The Aged Care Complaints Investigation Scheme can be contacted on 1800 550 552.

Recipients of EACH packages of care and their families or representatives are also entitled to access advocacy services. Advocacy services help people find out what they are entitled to. For information on advocacy services, please contact the Aged and Community Care Information Line on 1800 500 853.

What is the subsidy rate for Extended Aged Care at Home packages?

From 1 July 2008 the daily subsidy rate for an Extended Aged Care at Home package is $116.16. Oxygen and enteral feeding supplements are also payable in some circumstances.

Key Documents

The following key documents which govern EACH service provision are available for download.

Payment Agreement
Details the current Payment Agreement that is to be signed by the service providers of EACH packages and the Australian Government.

Standards
Details the current standards that must be met by the service provider. This document is schedule 1 to the Payment Agreement.

Specified Care and Services
This document is schedule 2 to the Payment Agreement, and lists the specific care and services available to the care recipient.

Annual Financial Reporting Statement
This document is schedule 3 to the Payment Agreement, and is a requirement by the Australian Government to all EACH service providers.

If you are having problems downloading these PDF files please send an email to: acc@health.gov.au for a copy to be sent to you.

Disclaimer: This document is only a guide to the Government’s law and policies, and cannot take account of individual circumstances. The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing recommends that you seek appropriate professional advice relevant to your particular situation.
Because Government laws and policies change from time to time, please ensure you have the latest version of this document.

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