Eligibility
The program supports people aged over 65 years (50 years or older for First Nations people) with complex ageing related care needs, so that they can continue to live safely at home for as long as possible.
‘Ageing related care needs’ is the support a person is assessed as needing (such as personal care, home maintenance and nursing) because their ability to do activities of daily living (such as self-care, cleaning and transport) has reduced due to ageing.
Exceptions to the age eligibility include people aged 50 years or older (45 years or older for First Nations people) who:
- have disability not otherwise supported by other programs
- are homeless or at risk of being homeless and are on a low income.
An Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) assessment will determine:
- whether a person is eligible for the program
- what level they are approved for.
Go to My Aged Care to apply for an assessment.
Included items and services
The Home Care Packages Program only fund services, supports, or items that meet ageing related care needs that are:
- identified in an ACAT assessment
- recommended by a provider in ongoing care discussions
- prescribed by an appropriate health professional.
Learn more about what services are included under the program.
Excluded items and services
The Home Care Packages Program does not pay for:
- items that would usually be paid for with general income, like household bills and other basic living expenses
- care that we fund, or jointly fund, under other programs, like the dental, pharmaceutical, or medical systems (such as Medicare).
Learn more about what services are excluded under the program.
Supporting older people with disability
Older people with a disability who are not eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) are eligible to access the Home Care Packages Program to support their disability.
Ageing may also exacerbate certain conditions. Older people with a chronic disease may be eligible for additional services, such as allied health, but should first seek support under a Chronic Diseases Management Plan.
To be eligible, an ACAT assessment must first establish that:
- a person’s care needs cannot be met through other government programs
- the person needs aged care to support them as they age (for example, with daily activities).
Providers must meet the care needs and goals of all care recipients based on the outcome of their ACAT assessment and ongoing care discussions.
Differences from Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
The CHSP and Home Care Packages Program deliver many of the same care and services, such as cleaning, gardening, transport and allied health.
The CHSP delivers entry-level services for older people who need a small amount of help to stay at home and connected to their community.
The Home Care Packages Program supports care recipients with complex aged care needs to continue living safely and independently at home.
If a client’s needs can no longer be supported by CHSP, the person should book an ACAT assessment.
Read more about how the Home Care Packages Program interacts with other aged care support programs, including the CHSP.