Delivering services
When delivering services under the Home Care Packages Program, approved providers must:
- work with their care recipients to plan their care and services
- use a consumer-directed care approach when providing services
- meet the Aged Care Quality Standards and all relevant legislation.
Services you can deliver
In line with the intent of the program, you can provide services, supports or items to help a care recipient’s assessed ageing-related care needs to live safely and independently at home.
These include:
- personal and clinical care
- help with household chores
- help with preparing meals
- mobility support.
Read about what services you can deliver.
Services you cannot deliver
You cannot use Home Care Packages to fund services and items that everyone, regardless of age, generally needs and pays for with general income.
You also cannot use Home Care Packages to fund services and items covered under another government-subsidised program, such as Medicare.
Read about what services are excluded and how to advise care recipients.
Third-party services
You can use third-party services to meet the needs of your care recipients if you cannot provide them yourself. You are still responsible for ensuring the services meet the Aged Care Quality Standards.
Find out how you can use third parties and how to charge for their services.
Interactions with other aged care programs
In some cases, you may deliver Home Care Packages services to care recipients who access services and support from other aged care programs.
This includes:
- the Commonwealth Home Support Programme
- residential respite care
- programs run by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Read more about what programs can and can’t be delivered alongside Home Care Packages.
Care and package management
You must manage your care recipients’ care and packages appropriately to ensure they have access to safe and quality care and services based on their needs, goals and preferences.
Read more about your care management and package management responsibilities.
Funding for Home Care Packages
We provide you with a government subsidy and supplements on behalf of each care recipient after you deliver their services.
Read more about funding for Home Care Packages.
Charging for fees and services
Care recipients are expected to pay fees to help with the cost of their government-subsidised in-home aged care.
You must charge fair prices for your services, be clear about costs, and ensure your care recipients understand and agree to the charges.
Read more about fees you can charge and how to set your prices.
Publish details about your services
You must publish your service details on the My Aged Care Service and Support Portal, so they appear when people search for Home Care Package services on My Aged Care.
Watch our video on setting up Home Care Package services.
Exiting care recipients
Care recipients might exit your service if:
- they no longer want or need home care
- they pass away
- they change providers
- you need to transfer services to another provider.
Read more about what to do when a care recipient leaves.