What providers can charge
Providers can charge for package management separately, but charges must be reasonable and justifiable. This means they must provide value for money and consider the effort and resources it takes.
Providers must publish package management prices as a dollar figure, so care recipients can easily understand and compare prices.
Providers cannot charge package management as an:
- hourly charge
- hourly charge on top of the base package management charge.
If providers do not charge for package management, they must explain to the care recipient:
- how providers deliver this service
- where providers cover these costs.
Providers should consider lowering package management charges to ensure value for money if administration requirements reduce because a care recipient’s:
- assessed care needs reduce
- circumstances change – for example, if they choose to self-manage or require fewer services.
When providers can charge
Providers can charge for package management at a fortnightly or monthly rate.
Providers must include package management as its own item in a care recipient’s monthly statement.
If a care recipient leaves midway through the month, providers can still charge the full agreed amount for the entire month.
Providers cannot charge for package management in a month where the care recipient has ceased care for the entire month, including when taking temporary leave from their package.
Additionally, providers cannot charge for package management when they do not deliver a service (other than care management) in the claim month.
Price caps
The government have capped package management prices, based on what level package the care recipient accesses.
From 1 March 2025, maximum amounts you can charge for package management are:
| Home Care Package level | Daily maximum package management charge | Fortnightly maximum package management charge |
| Level 1 | $4.40 | $61.60 |
| Level 2 | $7.73 | $108.22 |
| Level 3 | $16.83 | $235.62 |
| Level 4 | $25.51 | $357.14 |
We have set these prices at a maximum of 15% of the package level. They will increase with the basic subsidy rate on 1 July each year and at any time following a subsidy increase (see Schedule of Subsidies and Supplements).
The price caps are not the target price for these services or an indicator of what we consider a ‘reasonable’ price.
Find out more about the price caps introduced 1 January 2023.
Example
A provider and level 3 care recipient have discussed and agreed that the package management price would be $330 per month. The provider has documented this in the Home Care Agreement.
The provider has also:
- agreed that they cannot charge for package management where no services are delivered in the claim month, except for the first claim month
- explained to the care recipient that the first month is different because they need to set up their package
- helped the care recipient understand that delivering care management as it is a mandatory service to ensure continued quality and safety.
After the start of care, the care recipient chooses not to receive services from 1 to 31 March. The provider did not deliver any services, except for care management during this period. The provider cannot charge the care recipient for package management in this claim month.
The provider will still need to give the care recipient a monthly statement for this period and include care management in their claim to Services Australia.
If the care recipient did not want to receive any services, including care management, the provider should suspend their Home Care Package services. Learn more about temporary leave from Home Care Packages.
Monitoring compliance with price caps
If providers do not meet requirements, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission may take compliance action.
The My Aged Care Service and Support Portal prevents price entries above set caps.
The department actively monitor and review that providers are meeting requirements, including providers:
- with charges over the caps
- that raise their charges to the caps
- that implement cost shifting measures.
Issues raised in regular engagements with peak bodies, advocacy groups and care recipients will be investigated, and the department may contact providers for clarification.